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Fr.Joseph Vithayathil was a Diocesan Priest, Spiritual director of Bl. Mariam Thresia and the co-founder of the Congregation of Holy family. His deep faith, trust in God, integrety and honesty made him a holy priest. His wisdom, Spiritual vision and prudence enabled him to discern the working of the Holy Spirit in the life of Bl. Mariam Thresia. His Pastoral commitment and zeal for christianization of families made him a father( Pithavu) to all with out bcaste and creed. |
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Family:- Joseph was born 0n 23rd July 1865 as the second son of Lona and Thanda Vithayathil, a prominent family in the parish of Manabady, Puthenpally. He had two brothers Varkey and Paily and Two sisters Annam and Mariam |
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Vocation:- The parish Priest of Manambady Fr. Zacherias could read the aspirations of young Joseph. With The consent of his parents Joseph stayed for one year with the parish priest and learned to serve at holy mass and discern his vocation to priesthood. |
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Seminary Life and Ordination:- On 30th may 1881, at age of 15, he joined the seminary annexed to the Carmelite Monastery of Elthuruth and Began his Priestly training. In 1887 he along with his companions was transferred to St: thomas seminary In thrissue and then to Puthenpally Major Seminary. On 11th March 1894 Joseph was Ordined a priest by Bishop Adolf Medleycott- the Administartor of thrissue diocese in the parish church of Ollur together with 11 others. |
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Pastoral Service:- Fr. Joseph Vithayathil was first appointed as assistant parish priest of Ollur on 23April 1894. Soon He was promoted as Vicar of Mukkatukkara. Other other Parishes where he served were Kandassankadavu, Chalakudy, Edathuruthy, Pariyaram, Kottekad, Mala and puthen chira. The people of Puthen chira were very much impressed with his prayer life, simplicity,austerity and commitment to pastoral Work. The present Puthen chira parish church stands as a magnificient monument of his pastoral dedication and farsightedness. He has served this parish for Twenty years |
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Spiritual Director:- From 1902 to 1926 Fr. Joseph Vithayathil was the spiritual Director of
Bl. Mariam Thresia. It was he who stood by Bl.Mariam Thresia and guided her in the struggle of her soul and search for a life of religious commitment, and her vision of family Apostolate. when she was misjudged and criticized and even branded as whore, it was a heroic act on his part to support and guide her.
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Co- founder of the Congregation of Holy Family :- On 14th May 1914 with the co-operation and support of Rev.Fr. Joseph Vithayathil, Bl. Mariam thresia founded the congrgation of holyfamily. he took care of the congregation as St. joseph did at Nazareth. from the death of the holy Foundress in 1926 till the first General Council was formed in 1942, it was Rev. fr. Joseph Vithayathil who reared the infant congregation carefully and nurtured it properly.
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Pithavu:- The Sisters of Holy Family and the people around, Claeed him "
Pithavu" an endearing term for aloving father and sign of respect. |
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In 1915 the first
school of the congreation started. |
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Social Vision:- Rev.
fr. Joseph Vithayathil was responsive to the social issues of his village. he championed the cause of the poor and the exploited> He stood for the uplift of the poor and the downtrodden. People often came to him with thier family problems andthe doubts to seek his advice and he was able to settle thier disputes. usuallyhis was the last word.
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Rev. Fr. Joseph Vithayathil considered education an effective means to eradicate the social evils, and to foster family apostolate. It was with such a spirit of service that he endorsed the plan of mother mariam thresia to start a Primary school at Puthen chira in 1915. He believed that the services of the sisters in the field of education are very essential to inculcate virtues of truth and honesty in young minds and to keep alive the touch of faith in them. in 1929 he started an industrial school at Kuzhikattussery to train girls in stitching, tailoring, weaving, knitting etc. schools were adjunct to all newly started convents. |
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Man Of Prayer :- Rev. Fr. Joseph Vithayathil was a man of prayer. early morning he used to got up and move(sneak) quietly to the chapel to indulge in long hours of prayer. He knnelt before the lord and unleashed all the burdenson the Lord. His prayer life, rooted in the love of God sprouted forth natural goodness of truth, integrity and self sacrificing spirit. |
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Man Of Obedience:- His Obedience is ecclesiastical and political authorities was commendable and exemplary. he Obeyed all the directives of the Bishops. eaven though he had to go through the fire of misunderstanding and ridicule, he didn'not deter from his loyalty to authority. In all decisions of the authorities he could see the devine providence.
the chapel of the
Holy Family Convent, Kuzhikkattusery |
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Last Dyas and Death:- Rev Fr, Joseph vithayathil was blessed with a long life of 99 years. on 8 June 1964 he was called to his eternal abode, in the same date of the death of Bl. mariam Thresia, his spiritual daughter. This was not a mere coincidence, but a divine endorsement of thier spiritual union. Four bishops more than150 priests, large number of ssiters, relatives and crowds of people from all walks of life were present for his funeral ceremony on 9 june 1964 |
