( 24-12-1930 to 04-07-2019 )
Rev. Fr. Zacharias Pezhumkattil OCD of the Holy Family expired on 4th July, 2019, at the age of 89.
Rev. Fr. Zacharias Pezhumkattil OCD, went to receive his reward from His High Priest, on 4th July, 2019. He was 88 years old when he dies. He was the second son of Varkey (late) and Elizabeth at Chennad, which belongs to the Diocese of Palai. He was born on 24th December 1930. He had 2 sisters and 3 brothers.
Fr. Zacharias joined the Malabar Province of the Order of Discalced Carmelites on 16th June, 1950 taking the new name Br. Zacharias Pezhumkattil OCD of the Holy Family at Carmel Hill Monastery, Thiruvananthapuram. His Simple Profession was on 10th May 1953 and Solemn Profession was on 23rd January, 1977. He did his Philosophy at Carmel Hill Monastery, Thiruvananthapuram and his Theology at Ghent, Belgium and was ordained priest on 17th July 1960 at Ghent.
Back in India, he taught Latin to our students and was Spiritual Father to Novices and Students of our Province. In connection with the Fourth Death Centenary of St. John of the Cross, he wrote a Book, St. John of the Cross in 365 Days, an extremely useful one,with thoughts and quotations taken from the Complete Works of St. John of the Cross.
From the year 2014, he was leading a retirement life at Cherupushpa Ashram, Ettumannoor. Even though he had some health issues, he managed his own day-to-day personal things and was regular for the Canonical Hours of the Community and for the Holy Mass.
On 3rd July, 2019, due to some breathing difficulties, he was taken to Matha Hospital and from there to Caritas Hospital where he was admitted in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit. In that evening, his condition worsened and he received the Viaticum. After sustaining a series of Cardiac Arrests, he breathed his last on 4th July, 2019 at 11.30 p.m.
His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Yoohanon Mar Theodosius, Co-adjutor Bishop, Eparchy of Muvattupuzha said the Office of the Dead. It was followed by the funeral Mass where main Celebrant was Very Rev. Fr. Sebastian Koodapattu OCD, Provincial, Malabar Province along with the concelebrants Rev. Frs. Patrick Mootheril OCD, George Edapulavan OCD, James Kulathinkal and Jose Kottarathil, the cousin of the deceased. Rev. Fr. Justin Avanooparambil OCD delivered a thought provoking homily during the Holy Mass. After the Holy Mass, His Exellency Rev. Dr. George Madathikandathil, Bishop of Kothamangalam conducted the burial rites.
“Qui manducat hune panem vivet in aeternum”
(106, 59)
+ May the Lord reward His faithful Carmelite Friar!!
REQUIEM IN PACEM!!