I am writing this letter with a heavy heart. . . . With the gruesome death of Fr. Thomas we have lost a young, holy, dynamic, dedicated, talented and committed priest. We have indeed lost one of the promising jewels of our Congregation. However, in the loving providence of God we have also gained a true martyr in heaven. . . .
Fr. Thomas literally shed his blood because of his commitment and dedication to the Gospel of Jesus. . . .After the terrible death of Fr. Thomas our missionaries as well as others in the surrounding area live in fear, and they all need our support especially in the form of prayers. Our heritage is that of St. Thomas the Apostle who had the courage to say, “let us also go and die with him” (John 11:16).
Hence, nobody can or will stop our mission of love . . . The history of the Church tells us that it was always through the blood of martyrs. . .
To pray for Fr. Thomas as well as to seek his intercession we will have a concelebrated Memorial Mass at 10.30 am on Saturday, August 30, 2008 at the Prior General’s House, Chavara Hills, Kakkanad, (Kochi, Kerala, India). It will be followed by a memorial gathering presided over by his Beatitude Varkey Cardinal Vithayathil, Major Archbishop, our missionary bishops and other dignitaries. All the members of our Congregation as well as all others including priests, sisters and faithful are cordially invited to attend the Memorial Mass as well as the gathering. . . .
I am happy to inform you that the CBCI and KCBC have declared, Sunday September 7, 2008 as prayer Day for missionaries in the context of the death of Fr Thomas Pandippally CMI.
Fr. Thomas literally shed his blood because of his commitment and dedication to the Gospel of Jesus. . . .After the terrible death of Fr. Thomas our missionaries as well as others in the surrounding area live in fear, and they all need our support especially in the form of prayers. Our heritage is that of St. Thomas the Apostle who had the courage to say, “let us also go and die with him” (John 11:16).
Hence, nobody can or will stop our mission of love . . . The history of the Church tells us that it was always through the blood of martyrs. . .
To pray for Fr. Thomas as well as to seek his intercession we will have a concelebrated Memorial Mass at 10.30 am on Saturday, August 30, 2008 at the Prior General’s House, Chavara Hills, Kakkanad, (Kochi, Kerala, India). It will be followed by a memorial gathering presided over by his Beatitude Varkey Cardinal Vithayathil, Major Archbishop, our missionary bishops and other dignitaries. All the members of our Congregation as well as all others including priests, sisters and faithful are cordially invited to attend the Memorial Mass as well as the gathering. . . .
I am happy to inform you that the CBCI and KCBC have declared, Sunday September 7, 2008 as prayer Day for missionaries in the context of the death of Fr Thomas Pandippally CMI.
Fr. Jose Panthaplamthottiyil, CMI
Prior General
Read the full eulogy by the Prior General on the demise of Fr Thomas in the comment . . .
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