( 15-08-1943 to 29-03-2020 )
Our beloved Fr.Michael Kottayarukil of St. George OCD, 77, returned to his heavenly home on March 29, 2020 after a massive stroke.
George Joseph Kottayarukil was born to the late Joseph Varghese and Annamma, at Sreekandamangalam, Athirampuzha, on 15th August 1943 in the then Diocese of Changanacherry, now belongs to the Pala Diocese. He has 2 brothers and 2 sisters, out of them one sister is serving as a nun in the SABS Congregation of Changanacherry Province.
George Joseph had his schooling upto Matriculation from St. Aloysius HSS, Athirampuzha. He joined the Malabar Province of the order of Discalced Carmelites on 9 June 1961 at Thuckalay. His first profession was on 31 may 1964 receiving the new name Bro. Michael Kottayarukil OCD. He had his solemn profession on 31 may 1977 at Carmel Hill Monastery, Thiruvananthapuram and his Diaconate was given by Rt. Rev. Dr. Arokiaswami, the Bishop of Bengaluru at Carmelaram, Bengaluru. His Ordination was on 21 December 1972 at Cherupushpashram, Ettumanoor by Rt. Rev. Dr. Cornelius Elanjickal, the Bishop of Vijayapuram.
Fr. Michael spent the major part of his life after the priestly ordination in communities such as Thukalay, Trivandrum and Ernakulum, which were areas of active pastoral ministry and confession. Fr. Michael spent larger part of his life confined to the communities of his conventuality and engaged in pastoral ministry especially as parish priest and as confessor. He served as the confessor of DM Convent, Kudappanakunnu, Peyad Convent, CTC Convent, Vettucaud and also FCC convent sisters.
Throughout his life, he maintained a simple and humble lifestyle and evaded larger celebrations, crowds and noisy gatherings. After finding him on bed in his room at his Community in St. Teresa’s Monastery Ernakulum after a stroke on the 2Oth of March, he was taken to the Medical Trust. There he remained unconscious for one week in the ICU and passed away on March 29, 2020 at 6.15 pm.
On 31st March His mortal remains was taken to Muvatupuzha for funeral which was held on the same day at 11.30 a.m. Because of the “lock down” in place in connection with the Corona Virus Pandemic, there were only 15 members participated in his funeral service – four family members, five members from his community of St. Teresa’s Monastery, Ernakulum, four from Lisieux Centre, Muvattupuzha and two from Cherupushpa Ashram, Ettumannoor.
“Vado parare vobis locum… ut ubi sum ego et vos sitis”
(Jo 14, 2.3)