OBITUARY

FR JOSEPH PODIMATTAM, S.J.

(13.10.1928-30.08.2024)

Fr Joseph Podimattam passed away at 11 p.m. on August 30, 2024, in the 96th year of his life. The funeral took place on the 31st evening officiated by Bishops Rt. Rev. Dr Varghese Chakkalakal, Mar Remigiose Inchananiyil and the Provincial Fr E.P. Mathew.

Family: He was born on 0ctober 13, 1928 in Marangattupally, Kottayam district. He had 5 siblings. They are a healthy family: an elder brother of Joseph, a Franciscan Brother, lived103 years and another elder brother is alive and nearing 100 and a younger brother is also alive. In his 90’s Joseph became weak, but had no major illness.

Jesuit Formation: After high school studies in Kidangoor he joined the Jesuit novitiate in Christ Hall, Kozhikode, in 1950, for the Goa Mission of the Society. The first vow was on July 31, 1952. He continued there for two more years doing the juniorate. Philosophy was in Shembaganur, for three years. He had a year of regency in St Joseph’s High School, Kozhikode. Theology was in Pune, forfour years. By then the Kerala Province had been created, and he was assigned to it. His ordination was on March 24, 1962, in Pune. He went for tertianship in 1964, in Kodaikanal. On August 15, 1967 he took the Last Vows in St Joseph’s High School, Thiruvananthauram. He continued in St Joseph’s, doing graduate studies in Malayalam at the University College. He knew the language well, and in talk and in writing showed a feel for its grace and style.

Pastoral Work: Parishes got the biggest part of his service. After completing theology in 1963 he was, for a year, parish priest in the mission station of Nenmara, in Palakkad district. Then, after the tertianship, he returned to Nenmara for another two years, 1965-67. The other churches where he served were: Christ the King Church, Malaparamba (1969-1973), Our Lady’s Church Mariapuram (1986-1987), Our Lady’s Church, Vellarivayal (1987-90), St Peter’s Church Neeleshwaram(1990-1993), St Francis Xavier’s Church, Pariyaram (1993-1994).

Spiritual Guide: Spiritual guidance and retreat direction was his other major work. He did that in Loyola, Aluva (1994-95), Jesuit house Kanjirappally (1995-98), Vocationist Seminary Thrissur (2000-2005), John the Baptist Minor Seminary, Mulayam, Thrissur (2005-2008), Minor Seminary of Calicut Diocese in Calicut (2008-2009), St Michael’s School, Kannur (2009-13), and Santhinilayam Kottayam (2013-2021). For a year he was editor of Snehasena when it was published from Santhinilayam, Kottayam.

Personal Life: Fr Joseph was very ordered in his personal life. He continuously upgraded his intellectual- spiritual life with regular reading of books and periodicals and with conversations with knowledgeable persons. He was a rather reserved person, but easily jelled with the common people. He took care of his health without being fussy about it. Apart from the regular walks, in the room he relaxed playing on a simple keyboard. About 15 years ago Fr John Vattanky observed about him: ‘A man growing old gracefully.’ A man of traditional convictions, he did not allow anyone to interfere with his values or his way of life or his preferences. Late in his life he insisted he should be called Joseph and not Podimattam or Podi.

St Paul said: “Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Fr Joseph preserved himself in peace, and yielded to old age and death in peace.

 Joseph Pulickal