Fr Joesph Malipparambil(A Biographical sketch)

Rev. Fr Joseph Maliparampil was born to Kurian and Mariamma on 24- 12-1909 at Kodavara, Vaikom- his mothers's place. He has two brothers (Mathew and Thomas) and two sisters (Mariakutty and Thresiamma). Fr Maliparampil had his schooling at St Ephrem's School Mannanam and minor seminary at Parel, Chanaganachery. He did his philosophy and theology studies at St Joseph's seminary Mangalapuzha and was ordained deacon on 21 December 1935 and ordained priest on 21 December, 1936 at Mangalapuzha by Bishop James Kalachery. He was called to eternal reward on 9th Sept. 1998.

Founder of Cherupushpa Mission League and Promoter of Vocations

In October 1947 he founded the Chrupushpa Mission League (CML) at Bharananganam and he was its all Kerala Director till its silver Jubilee in 1972. Fr Maliparampil has conducted several vocation camps to foster missionary vocations.

Founder member and Director General of MST

In 1968 he joined the Missionary Society of St Thomas the Apostle (MST). In March 1968 Father Maliparampil and (late) Fr Abraham Ettackakunnel MST were commissioned by Mar Sebastian Vayalil to go to Madhya Pradesh to study the prospects of a mission territory for the newly founded Society and to discuss the matter with the Bishop, Francis Simons, of Indore. Fr Joseph Maliparampil was nominated the second Director General in October 1968 and was elected for another term as Director General on July 12,1973.

Mission to the Migrants in Bombay

In 1975 Fr Joseph Maliparampil was sent to Bombay by Mar Antony Padiyara the then Archbishop of Changanacherry in consultation with Cardinal Valerian Gracias of Bombay to assess the situation of the Syro- Malabar Catholics living there. Staying for two months in the Parish house at Kurla he assessed the problems and difficulties faced by the Oriental Christians in spiritual and liturgical matters and in the pastoral field.He also discussed the matter with Valerian Cardinal Gracias in the meetings held in the Archbishop's house, Bombay. The report was submitted to Mar Antony Padiyara who presented the matter in the concerned Episcopal bodies. As a concrete step, Frs Sebastian Thuruthel MST and Fr Primus CMI were sent in 1976 to Bombay as official chaplainsof Syro malabar Christians. Fr Joseph Maliparampil does have a place in the history of the Diocese of Kalyan.

The pilgrim Missionary

Besides accompanying the new recruits to their destinations he had been always in touch with these missionaries through visits and letters and was concerned about their welfare.He has also made a pilgrimage to various pilgrim places in Europe such as Rome, Lissieux, Lourdes, Louvain, Vienna, Cologne, Orthona, Nettuno etc. During his visit to Vatican he presented a report on the Cherupushpa Mission League to His Holiness Pope Paul VI in a private audience and spoke through Vatican Radio on the Mission League on June 3,1970.

Pioneer Missionary in "Thekkan" Mission

From November 1, 1955 to July 5, 1964 Fr Joseph Maliparampil spent himself for the people of the Thekkan (Southern) Mission of the Archdiocese of Changanacherry. During this period he organized and established mission Churches at Thekkupara, Vavodu, Nettel, Dalmukham and Rajagiri. Now all these Churches except Rajagiri are independent parishes. The new Diocese of Thuckalay is very much indebted to him for his missionary apostolate and zeal.

Article by: Fr Lonappan Arangassery MST

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