29.09.1939-21.11.2021

Fr Cyriac Kulirany SJ was born on September 29, 1939 in Kottayam District Kadaplamattom to Mr. Joseph and Tresa Joseph.
Fr Cyriac did his predegree in St Joseph’s College, Trichy and joined the Society of Jesus on 20th June 1957. Novitiate in Beschi, Dindigul, Juniorate in Sacred Heart College, Shembaganur. Then he went to Loyola College, Chennai for degree studies (1960-1963), Philosophy in Sacred Heart College, Shembaganur (1963-1966), Regency in Kozhikode St Joseph’s School, went to Mananam St Joseph’s College for B.Ed, Theology in Papal Seminary, Pune. His ordination was on March 26, 1971 and Tertianship in Bangalore (1975-1976). Then in 1980 February 2nd he took his last vows when he was in Trivandrum.
In 1971, during his first year of ordination itself he was tested of his will power, endurance and perseverance as he had a fall from the sunshade of the school building where he was watering plants. His both legs suffered multiple fractures, as he landed on his feet. Though the doctors advised amputation of legs he refused and asked them to put all the broken bones together. And after a few months in the hospital the legs were fully healed and he leapt back to life, and continued teaching. It was fascinating to watch the way Fr Cyriac recuperated.   
Fr Cyriac was wanted in PSH High School, Thirumudikunnu as Headmaster (1989-1994), and then Kannur St Michael’s (1994-1997) and Kozhikode St Joseph’s School (1997-2000). After retirement he served as Teacher, Headmaster and Superior in Pius X ITI, Edathua and Kanjirapally AKJM High School. Then he went to Rippon, Kayapoyil and Madakkapoil as Parish Priest. There he had to manage the two parishes. First he used motor cycle. Having found it difficult he used autorickshaw for full filling the obligations of a Parish Priest.
Fr Cyriac continued his untiring services by being Spiritual guide at Vocanists’ Seminary in Thalore, Chalakkudy and Mulayam. From 2012 he was in Christ Hall, Kozhikode where he used to go for spiritual ministries in nearby Parishes and Convents.
Fr Cyriac and I (Fr Mani Manimala) were together in the Society for more than 25 years. Cyriac was a gentle person. When we were students I never heard him criticizing others. He always wanted to do things on his own even when he was suffering from pain, the remnants of the old accident. When it was difficult to walk he used a Wheel Chair tried to push it by himself. Even for small services we did for him he used to thank sincerely.
Fr Cyriac Kulirany is a self-made man and always wanted to stand on his own legs.  On 21 November 2021 in the evening at about 4.30 pm he breathed his last.
 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Fr Mani Manimala, SJ