23.12.1934-18.03.2022

Rev. Fr. Philip Thayil, 87 years old, who lived 66 years in the Society of Jesus has gone to his eternal rest on 18^th March 2022 at 2.50 am. The funeral ceremony was conducted on the same day at 5 pm at Christ Hall cemetery, Calicut. Fr Philip Thayil was born on 23 December 1935 in Kiliroor, Kottayam Dist. He joined the Novitiate on 31 July 1956 in Beschi College, Dindigul. He studied Philosophy in Shembaganur, College studies in Calicut, theology in Kurseong, and was ordained a priest on 14 March 1970. As a Jesuit he served as headmaster, principal, boarding director in Trivandrum, Kanjiraplly, Kannur and finally as Manager at Sarvodaya, Wayanad.

Being a joyful person he vibrated the same spirit into many of his students, friends, relatives, Jesuits, and those who came across his life. As a teacher, he was an excellent person who guided thousands of students to achieve this excellence in their lives too. As a Jesuit, he was a true example of a disciplined and spiritual son of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. His spirituality not only vibrated in his personal life but also permeated the educational and administrative realms. Those who lived and associated with him would say in one voice that they have been influenced by Fr. Philip Thayil, in one way or another. 

As a young Jesuit, I have had the privilege to live with him in Santhinilayam Community, Kottayam where he was Superior in 2009. While staying in the Community he was rendering his service to the Snehabhavan Charitable Society as a Coordinator and Manager for the Skill Development Centre for differently-abled children. I too joined and worked with him as the Assistant Director of Snehabhavan where we built up our relationship to the extent of an elder-younger brother. He was a man of affection and interior freedom. I vividly remember and appreciate that he used to call me nicknames showing his affection. We cooked together, ate together, arranged the house together, and hence deepened the relationship.

Fr. Philip was a humble and simple person. For me and my family, he was a good and ever available person and he extended his goodwill to visit my house several times. This was not a special gesture only towards me but was his core attitude to all who came across his life. The special bond between     Fr. Sebastian Thengumpallil, who lived with him for 18 years and passed away on 27^th October 2021, was well known to all his Jesuit friends. After Fr. Sebastian’s departure, he has emotionally felt a loss and developed a slow mental strength. However, he relied on the providence of the Almighty, with all his limitations, and continued to please his friends and relatives till the end of his life in this world.

His devotion to the Blessed Sacrament was truly intertwined with Jesus Christ, the Lord. I witnessed, while he was celebrating the Eucharist, his tears were dripping out through his cheeks during the consecration. Fr. Philip was very loyal to the Society of Jesus, dedicated his life to spending his energy, time, and knowledge to accomplish the tasks bestowed on him by his Superiors without showing any kind of discomforts, rather accomplishing them full of joy. He always promoted life and always stood by the disadvantaged persons in society and the differently-abled and their families. He was committed to their causes till he bade goodbye to this world.

As St. Augustine would say “Lord I am restless until my soul rests in you,” I am sure that Fr. Philip’s soul was always longing for and to be with his creator. May his soul rest in peace and enjoy eternal bliss.

Sunny Mathew, SJ