Msgr. Jacob Vellaringatt one of the most distinguished priests of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church in Kerala, India passed away on 7th November 1984. His name is honoured and cherished by all because of the magnificent contribution he made to the cause of the missions. He was born in September 1892 at Palai, the head-quarters of the Taluk as well as diocese. His parents were Enas and Annamma Vellaringatt and he had one sister and four younger brothers including Fr. Ignatius S.J. a renowed missionary in Patna, North India.

REMARKABLE PRIESTLY CAREER

Msgr. Jacob Vellaringatt received his priestly ordination on 28th December 1920. God had destined him for a great work -that of giving training to candidates for priesthood. This work he carried on without rest and unequalled success for full sixty years. A service so long and so dedicated in the field of priestly formation is without a parallel in the whole history of the Church. For nine years he was Spiritual Director in the diocesan seminary of Changanacherry, and for four years Rector of the Minor Seminary at Tiruvalla. In 1937 he started the missionary college known all over India as St. Joseph Mission Home. It has been said that "By this one act he did more for the Indian missions than any other single man". From then on for fifty-seven years batch after batch of well-selected and well-trained missionary candidates were going out to all parts of India. Msgr. Vellaringatt was Rector of the Mission Home for 37 years till in 1974 his brother Fr. Ignatius S.J. took over charge. But he continued to serve as Spiritual Director and Professor till the close of his life. The Holy See recognized and appreciated his magnificent services and conferred on him in 1964 the well deserved honour and title "Domestic Prelate".

St.Joseph’s Mission Home

The Mission Home, started in 1937, was the power of the Indian missions for 57 years till it closed down in 1994 due to the withdrawal of the Patna Jesuits who were conducting it after Msgr.Vellaringatt’s death. The contribution made by the Mission Home to the Indian missions is beyond description. About five hundred Priests and Brothers, old students of the Home, are spread over about 50 missions and religious congregations all over India. These include three Bishops and numerous others who adorn key positions in the administration of the church in India. The Mission Home, first started at Tiruvalla under the patronage of the Vijayapuram Bishop, was shifted to Palai in 1951 when Palai became a new diocese and had a new Bishop-Rt.Rev.Sebastian Vayalil, a former student of Msgr.Vellaringatt.

LAST DAYS

Though never of robust health Msgr.Vellaringatt was blessed with God’s special grace and an inner strength that never flagged. Only for a month towards the end of his life was he hospitalised. He knew that his health was declining and awaited in peace the call of God. He had a board hoisted at his bedstead with the word "THANK YOU" to bid silent good-bye to the numerous visitors. The good and faithful servant quietly entered into the joy of his Lord in the afternoon of 7th November 1984. His mortal remains were laid to rest at the foot of the Calvary he himself had built to commemorate the Sacerdotal Diamond Jubilee of his priest uncle Fr.Jacob Vellaringatt(senior). The funeral was attended by three Bishops and an impressive crowd of mourners including about 200 priests, most of whom were disciples of Msgr.Vellaringatt.