( 09-09-1922 to 28-03-2013 )
Rev. Fr. Tarsicius Vadakkel OCD of the Blessed Sacrament expired on 28th March, 2013, at the age of 91.
Rev. Fr. Tarsicius Vadakkel OCD of the Blessed Sacrament was born on 9th September, 1922 at Poovathode, of Changanacherry Diocese, now Archdiocese. At present he belongs to the Diocese of Palai. V.M. Cherian Vadakkel, his father was a Gold-medalist awarded by All Kerala Catholic Congress consisting of the 3 rites in Kerala for a Novel, written about Mother Elizabeth.
Fr. Tarsicius had a brother, Xavier Vadakkel who was an accountant in the Palai Central Bank and his sister, Pennamma was married and settled at Kalpatta.
Fr. Tarsicius, has his primary education at St. Antony’s English Medium School, Poovathode and high school education at St. Thomas High School, Palai. He joined in the Carmel Hill Monastery, Thiruvananthapuram in 1941 as a Postulant. He had his Novitiate and took a new name Tarsicius Vadakkel OCD of the Blessed Sacrament in the same monastery. He had an year of Latin and made his Simple Profession at Carmel Hill Monastery Church on 5th June, 1943 and made his Solemn Profession in the same church on 12th June, 1946. During his Aspirancy and Novitiate, he had the privilege of living with His Grace Aloysius Mària Benziger, who came to live his retirement life after serving as the Bishop of Quilon.
Fr. Tarsicius had completed his Philosophy course from the Philosophy College, Carmel Hill Monastery under the well-known Philosophy Professor Rev. Fr. Philip Kaippenplackal OCD, who was also his Director during the period of his Aspirancy. He had his Theology Studies at Thuckalay for the first year and then returned and completed his Theology from studies in 1949 and was ordained Deacon at St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Palayam, Thiruvananthapuram on 2nd April by His Excellency Rt. Rev. Dr. Vincent Dereira OCD. Rev. Frs. Bonaventura OCD and Bernardine OCD were also ordained priests by the same bishop of Thiruvananthapuram. He was ordained priest on 25th March, 1950 and had his Solemn First Holy Mass on 26th March in our church at Carmel Hill Monastery. He was highly gifted musician and he played Harmonium and Piano very well. He was also known for his artistic talents – painting, drawing, cartoons etc.
He had served as the Superior, Bengaluru Residence; Prior, Carmel Hill Monastery, Thiruvananthapuram; Superior, Mount Carmel Ashram, Peravoor; Superior, St. Teresa’s Monastery, Ernakulam and Chaplain of St. Teresa’s Convent, Ernakulam. He also served as the Professor for the Latin Music at Ettumanoor and Ernakulam. He was a member of the Community of Potta and Thuckalay and he spent his last days at Cherupushpa Ashram, Ettumanoor.
Fr. Tarsicius was hospitalized in a very crucial condition in Matha Super Speciality Hospital, Thellakom from November 2012 to 28th February 2013, his day of his death. He was fortified by the Viaticum, Anointing and Apostolic Blessing before he commended his soul calmly to our Lord on 28th February 2013, at 1.45 p.m. Rev. Fr. Francis Kizhakkemylil OCD, Superior of Cherupushpa Ashram along with the community members were present at his death bed with intense prayers during his death. His body was laid rest in the mortuary of the hospital for a day.
On 1st March, 2013, Friday at 6.30 p.m. the mortal remains of Fr. Tarsicius was brought to our church at Ettumanoor. On 2nd March, there was a Solemn Requiem Holy Mass concelebrated by all the priests at 6.30 a.m. A large number of priests, religious and lay faithful were present to pay their last homage and love for him who had helped them in various ways.
Then the body was taken to Lisieux Centre, Muvattupuzha, in an ambulance at 8.00 a.m. At 10.30 a.m. Very Rev. Fr. Sebastian Koodappattu OCD concelebrated the Solemn Requiem Holy Mass with large number of priests. Religious and relatives of Rev. Fr. Tarsicius OCD took part in the service. Rev. Dr. Justin Avanooparambil OCD who gave the funeral oration highlighted the exemplary disciplinary life of Rev. Fr. Tarsicius as a priest, religious and professor.
After the Holy Mass, His Excellency Mar George Madathilkadattil, the new Bishop of Kothamangalam officiated the funeral service, followed by Nagari Kanickal that touched the hearts of all and finally taken to the crypt at 12.30 p.m.
+ May the Lord reward His faithful Carmelite Friar!!
REQUIEM IN PACEM!!