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| Biography
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| Fr. George Vakayil was born in 1883 in Koonammavu, a village 20 kms away the city of Cochin Kerala, India. This village is predominantly Catholic and well heeled in education, thanks to the pioneering missionary works started by Italian carmelite fathers in the 17th century. They initiated a revival and renewal in Catholic life, education spearheaded the social and moral revival of the people at large. Father George Vakayil was born in this atmosphere and he joined seminary and was ordained on 21th December, 1912. Fr.George Vakayil started his priestly ministry in the district of Kottayam among largely undeveloped areas inhabited by poor and illiterate peasants. Arduous labour and difficult terrain made him sickly and he had to come back to the coastal belt. In 1922 Fr. George Vakayil was appointed Vicar, St Mary Magdalene Church, Maradu, Moothedom. In Moothedom, his total dedication for the people worked miracles in the land. He was a friend of the poor and helper of the needy. He visited houses regularly and consoled the sick and the aged. He organised the jobless and created small scale enterprises for them.
He imbibed strength for dedicated missionary service from long hours of ardent prayer and devotion to the sacred heart of Jesus. Due to his hard work and ceaseless efforts to help the poor and needy,he became very weak physically. But inspite of his ill health, he continued his zealous service for his people and continued to spend long hours in the confessional helping his parishioners to grow spiritually. The deeply committed missionary slept in the odour of sanctity on 4th November, 1931.
He was buried inside the cemetery Chapel. Since then, the place of his burial has become a source of strength and hope for the needy. Countless are the miracles that have taken place through his intercession. Fr. George Vakayil continues to shover abundant blessings to his devotees from heaven.
On the 4th of every month the holy mass and Novena in his honour at the Cemetery Chapel are attended by a large number of devotees. His death anniversary is commemorated on 4th November every year with an Agape' in his honour under the leadership of Vakayil Charities, an organisaton started after his name. | |
