29.04.1935-23.02.2022

Birth and Death are two phenomena in every one’s life. Both enter our lives without our reckoning or permission. In fact they come uninvited and we just succumb to them. We are here at the last rites of Fr Mathew Pullattu. He was born in Poovarani in Kottayam District in the diocese of Pala in 1935 April 29. He spent 87 glorious years in this world and 66 fruitful years in The Society of Jesus. Our life on this Earth is a big gift from the Loving Father. We grow through love, giving love, enriching ourselves with love. We ourselves mold our lives, enrich our lives and lead to success. We have no permanent residence on earth, only temporary sheds leading the life of a pilgrim. Death will be an award day for those who walk to the lap of the Father joyfully and gratefully.

If we live for ourselves, we die slowly and steadily though we do not recognize it. But if we live for others we become immortal in the hearts of people.Fr. Mathew Pullattu was a man who lived for others. Every priest or religious spends his or her life between God and the people of God. When we stand around the coffin of Fr Pullattu think of the goodness and grace that  we received through him. Fr Pullattu had his B.Sc. Maths degree from St. Thomas College Palai. With the desire of continuing his M.Sc. we went to St Joseph’s College, Tiruchirapally. He did not get admission there. Hence he went  to Beschi college Dindigul. Knowing that his parents will not easily permit him to join the Society of Jesus, he took his admission in the Society. So it was a turning point in his life and he never regretted about this    bold step. After his novitiate and Juniorate he was sent for M.Sc. to Trichi. After his three year philosophy studies in Shembaganur he was assigned for Regency in St. Xavier’s College, Trivandrum and later he went for his theology in Kurseong. After three years he got ordained in Newman College Thodupuzha on March 22, 1969. The Fourth year of theology again he was sent to St. Xavier’s College. When Kerala Province opened a new mission in Mizoram he became a pioneer missionary taking charge of Springdale School. After about one and a half years in Mizoram be was appointed Provincial of Kerala, from 1979-1985. He started giving a new vision to the Province. During his tenure he conducted an evaluation of all our educational institutions, Boarding houses and technical schools; He brought Nirmala ITI from Pilathara to Pariyaram. He affected a twinning between Kerala and Japan and sent two of our men to Japan.

Father Mathew, though he remained slim, had a heart that was large. He was very sober, kind and loving and had a special love for the poor and the marginalized. He helped the office assistants to get better jobs elsewhere. After his Provincialship he became the Province treasurer for about 7 years and during that time built up the Arcae.He took up difficult jobs and ever willing to help others in need. Later when was Rector of Satya Nilayam and in charge of the Pre- Novices, he saw to it that they were well formed. He was managing Sarvodaya School Eachome while staying at Pachilakad and commuting to the School daily while acquainting himself with the families on both sides of the road.

Fr Mathew Pullattu used to undertake jobs of the Province which were comparatively tough and difficult and he used to do such jobs with utter sincerity and commitment. He was strict with himself and very generous with others. His customers used to remark that he was a good man, very kind-hearted. So we lost a good man. He did not hide his talents under the earth; instead multiplied them tenfold. Every good man leaves a void when he disappears from the earth but it is for us to fill up the void.May his good soul Rest in Peace.

J. Kallepallil, S.J.