Another Indian on the road to Sainthood

THRISSUR, KERALA: Recently, Pope John Paul II declared Fr. Joseph Vithayathil as Servant of God, in the first step towards the conferment of sainthood.

The official ceremony in this regard was held at Mariam Thresia Pilgrim Centre at Kuzhikkatussery in the district today.

Fr Vithayathil, who co–founded the Congregation of Holy Family, was declared as Servant of God by the Pope on May 18, marking beginning of the process of canonisation whose subsequent procedures will include declaration as venerable and beautification, the vice–postulator Sr Clerisa said.

He was born in 1865 at Puthanpally in Ernakulam district in a family that contributed several priests and nuns including the present Major Archbishop Cardinal Mar Varkey Vithayathil.

Ordained as priest in 1894, Vithayathil had served as vicar of the Puthanchira church in Thrissur district near Kuzhikkattussery, the headquarters of the Holy Family Congregation founded by Mariam Thresia, who was beautified by the Holy See in April 2000.

The commission for the cause of Fr Joseph Vithayathil was instituted in April 2003, Sr Clerisa said.

Chief superior general, Sr Annie Palathingal told press that Fr Vithayathil, who was the spiritual guide of blessed Mariam Thresia, had spiritual vision and prudence besides deep love for the people, the poor and the needy.

Fr Vithayathil, who died in 1964, was buried at Kuzhikkattussery adjacent to the tomb of Mariam Thresia.

However, the process of sainthood is a lengthy one, it may take several years after declaring one as a Servant of God.