(30. 06.1929 – 08. 10. 2020)

 Father Paul Vadakel left us on 8 October, 2020 after a few months of agonizing struggle with life at the ripe old age of 91, to join his forefathers and fellow Jesuits who preceded him to accept the crown of glory from his creator and Lord. He had spent 71 years in the Society of Jesus as a committed and dedicated noble son of St Ignatius.

He hails from Vadakara, a village 3 km west of Koothattukulam. The Vadakel family has rendered yeomen service to the Church and the civil society. Fr Paul’s uncle Msgr Abraham Vadakel (Pala diocese) was a literary genius; he was a teacher by profession and retired from service as the headmaster of St. Peter’s high school at Elenji. His cousin Adv George Vadakel was a judge of the Kerala High Court. Of the six siblings of Fr Paul, the only surviving member is Fr Mathew S.D.B. who has been working among the slum dwellers of Bangalore. He had the unique privilege of officiating at the funeral Mass of his elder brother. The untimely death of the youngest brother Mr Abraham who was an officer in the Indian Navy was a real shock to the family. But Fr Paul was there to comfort and support the bereaved family. Hence, we could aptly say that the Vadakel family lived ‘pro Deo et Patria’.

Fr Paul joined the Society in 1949 at Christ Hall, Kozhikode. After going through the various stages of formation in the Society he was ordained in 1962. After the Tertianship at Kodaikanal, he plunged deep into the pastoral and administrative services of the Society. GC 36 speaks of the ‘audacity to go for the unexpected’. All the posts he held in the Society required real courage and determination. He was the Provincial of Kerala for six years and two months. Thrice he was the Acting Provincial. Whenever the Province was direly in need of combating any serious situation or facing a tricky problem, Fr Vadakel was there to shoulder the unpleasant burden. He was formed in the old Jesuit mould that enabled a young Jesuit to accept any mission whether pleasant or unpleasant. This audacity to venture into challenging and risky situations seems to be in the blood of Fr Vadakel. His philosophy companions used to narrate his adventure of killing a leopard with one stroke! 

The Society can never forget the services rendered by him for the development of St Xavier’s College, Thumba. He spent nearly 15 years there, twice as Rector and Manager of the institution. He put his heart and soul into developing this college into a centre of excellence.  During this period, he had to put up with untold hardships and personal affronts. But, in spite of all the opposition and uncertainty, he stood for the Jesuit ideal of ‘magis’. With proverbial courage and optimism and absolute trust in God, he was able to face any problem that confronted him. Facing challenges with courage was his forte.

He considered poverty as the strong wall of religious life and insisted that others follow it strictly. He was hundred percent sincere and honest in the observance of religious vows. He never made any adjustment or compromise in following all the rules of the Society. He was ever willing to take up any work of the Society, and was never given to publicity and fanfare. He was methodical and systematic in work. He was seldom ruffled or annoyed – a reflection of his inner peace, calmness and equanimity. With his demise, we have lost a committed and responsible son of St Ignatius.

I have never worked with him. But I have enjoyed his paternal solicitude and encouraging support in the early years of my priestly service.

What he has been and what he did for Kerala province will be marked in golden letters. He has left an indelible mark on all those who got a chance to work with him. Like St. Paul, his heavenly patron, he could say,’ I have fought a good fight; finished my race; kept the faith; and the crown of justice awaits me.’

What we do for ourselves will be buried with our body. What we have done for others will ever remain with them. The sweet memory of Fr Paul Vadakel will ever remain alive in our hearts and minds.

‘Non omnis moriar.’  Horace.

‘Mrityo ma amrtam gamaya’.                                   

Joseph Edassery, S.J.