(19-02-1929 to 07-09-2015)
Rev. Fr. Sebastian Chelakandathil OCD was born on 19th February 1929 at Thodupuzha, Thekkumbhagam in the Diocese of Kothamangalam. He was the second of nine children in the family. He had his primary and secondary school education at the Govt. High School, Thodupuzha and St. Teresa’s Apostolic School, Ernakulam respectively. He joined the pre-Novitiate of the Order of Discalced Carmelites in Carmel Hill Monastery, Thiruvananthapuram on 7th June 1949 and made the Simple Profession on 1st Nov. 1950 at St. Elias’ Monastery, Thuckalay and made the Solemn Profession on 1st Nov. 1953 at Carmel Hill Monastery. His Sacerdotal Ordination was on 11th March, 1960 at Alwaye. He was a good retreat preacher and an orator. He served in our other monasteries also – Carmel Hill, CTC, Bengaluru and St. Teresa’s Monastery, Ernakulam.
God has His own plans about St. Sebastian which was difficult for us to understand fully. God purified and sanctified him through different ways. After three years of his Ordination, he became insanic. He was given good treatment and care in various centres but never acquired a sound mind till his death. He was taken care by the members of Carmel Hill, CTC and St. Teresa’s Monasteries. Last years of his life he spent in Carmel Hill Monastery, Thiruvananthapuram under the loving care of the co-friars and Philosophy brothers. On Sunday, 6th September, 2015 he vomited blood and admitted to the Jubilee Hospital, Palayam, Thiruvananthapuram. His physical condition became worse on the next day and breathed his last on 07th September 2015 at 3.30 p.m. His body was taken to Carmel Hill Monastery, Thiruvananthapuram, where he was a conventual for a long period for paying the last homage. His body was kept in Carmel Hill Monastery Church and Rt. Rev. Dr. Samuel Iraenios Kattukallil, Auxiliary Bishop, Malankara Major Archdiocese, Thiruvananthapuram paid their homage and prayed the office of the dead with the faithful.
On 8th September after the Holy Mass in the morning, his body was taken to Lisieux Centre, Muvattupuzha. At 3.00 p.m. on 8th September 2015 the funeral services started at Lisieux Centre. Rt. Rev. Dr. Mathew Vaniakizhakkel, Bishop Emeritus of Satna said the Office of the Dead. The next session of the funeral rites were officiated by Rt. Rev. Dr. George Madathikandathil, Bishop of Kothamangalam. The body of Rev. Fr. Sebastian Chelakandathil OCD of the Most Blessed Sacrament was interred into the crypt by 5.30 p.m.
May The Lord Grant him Eternal Rest !!
REQUIEM IN PACEM!!