Inspiration

Anointed by a sacred charism of soul-stirring compassion for the poorest of the poor, Father Abraham Kaippanplackal is revered as a redeeming sign of divine providence by hundreds of destitute men and women who find heartwarming solace in his abode of unconditional love in their twilight years.

His sublime dedication to a mission of all-giving utmost loving care for the aged – abandoned, sick, and dying – remains an inspiring saga for generations. “It’s a great blessing to know that you are loved and cared for. They are consoled. They can die in peace. And all of them go to heaven,” beams the venerable custodian of the ‘Gate of Heaven,’ the hallowed refuge for the most needy, at the Deivadan Centre, Chethimattam, near Palai, a thriving hub of rubber plantations and other cash crops in the central district of Kottayam, Kerala, the south-west coastal state in India.

Severely frugal and self-sacrificing in his hermit-like personal life, the 93-year-old barefooted man of God lives like a pauper among the inmates, sleeping on a wooden plank with a gunny-bag as his bedding in a bare monastic cell that also doubles as the headquarters of his charity missions spread across Kerala. Stooped and ailing, he travels unaided by public transport buses as the Spirit takes him far and wide to reach out to the needy.

Like the biblical forefather Prophet Abraham, Fr. Abraham Kaippanplackal “put his trust in the Lord” when he decided to rededicate his pastoral ministry to save the most wretched, abandoned and suffering people, irrespective of their religion, community or social status. He has had no recourse to any assured institutional funding resources or foreign charity aid flow in building up a large network of care homes and founding two religious congregations with a core mission mandate of selfless service to the poorest of the poor.

Depending fully on divine providence, he says, all their needs are met, sometimes miraculously in abundance, by the generosity and goodwill of people who come out to help.

“Every needy person who comes here is a gift from God. And as the gift signifies the greatness of the One who gives, every inmate is treated like a guest of honour,” says Fr. Kaippanplakkal, who prefers his saffron-coloured cassock, indicating his pioneering spirit of “Indianisation,” an affinity to incorporate indigenous cultural elements in one’s lifestyle and way of worship.

Brought up in a predominantly agricultural background – he was born on April 16, 1914, the youngest son in a family of six children – in Kozhuvanal, a village in the suburbs of Palai, in Meenachil taluk, Abraham Kaippanplakkal was ordained priest on December 21, 1939 for the Catholic diocese of Changanassery, when its ecclesiastical jurisdiction had extended over large areas, including Palai, by its prelate, Bishop Mar James Kalassery. His elder brother, Fr. Philip, a renowned retreat preacher in the Discalced Carmelite Order, was one of the concelebrants for his first Holy Mass. A younger brother of his paternal grandfather who had baptised him, christening him by his own name, had earlier served the Changanassery diocese as chancellor and secretary to Bishop Mar Thomas Kuryalassery.

From the beginning of his pastoral ministry, Kaippanplackal’s prime concern was for the marginalised, most neglected outcasts of society. He put his heart and soul in ardent attempts to transform the lives of the so-called “backward class” Catholics, converted from Pulaya community, traditionally secluded as untouchables who toiled in the fields, during his eight-year-long initial stint in Athirampuzha Parish and the next assignment at Changanassery.

Another turning point in life was a mission call from Salem, in neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu. The prelate of Salem, Bishop H. A. Prunier, a French missionary, had invited Fr. Philip OCD for mission work, and he in turn persuaded his younger brother to join forces. The two brothers set out to establish an indigenous ashram-like community at Siliguri (Sleevagiri) at Santharpetti in Salem, a visionary venture in introducing “inculturation” long before the Second Vatican Council debated the issue of local identity of the universal Church. The innovative tool for evangelisation, similar to the one once promoted by the famous Jesuit missionary Fr. Robert De Nobili, had its votaries, and there were many enthusiastic aspirants coming forward to the pioneering community movement led by the Kaippanplackal brothers. However, authorities in Rome did not approve of such a typical Indian-style congregation then. They had to abandon the project halfway.

Fr. Abraham came back home to a fresh phase of pastoral ministry in the newly erected diocese of Palai, and quickly made his mark helping build new parish churches and leading a new wave of enviable resurgence in spiritual life and fraternity.

It was during his tenure at the Lalam St. Mary’s “ Old Church” in Palai that Fr. Kaippanplackal began his long association with St. Vincent de Paul Society, nominated to be the diocesan director spearheading the layman’s movement that works for serving the poor, the sick and the downtrodden in all parishes of the diocese.

During the political upheavals of 1958, Bishop Mar Sebastian Vayalil deputed him as one of the key organisers of the Liberation Struggle, a grass-root level solidarity movement in which various communities joined hands agitating against the Marxist-led government in the state. Fr. Kaippanplackal mobilised strong units of blue-shirted volunteers of the Christopher fraternity and liaised with political leaders co-ordinating strategic moves in stepping up the popular democratic revolution.

Marian devotion has been the bedrock of his spirituality. And the weekend Novena in the name of the Mother of Perpetual Succor that he introduced opened the floodgates of fervent supplications, turning the Lalam Old Church into one of the biggest pilgrim centres in the region and drawing thousands of devotees in a festive, prayerful assembly. The surge of spiritual renewal and vigour of pious practices was intensely palpable and awesomely heartening.

Heavy floods that deluged parts of Palai town during two consecutive years left an indelibly bright watermark in Fr. Kaippanplakkal’s glorious progress in social commitment and dedication for the welfare of the poor. He was in the forefront extending a lifeline to hundreds of people rendered homeless by the natural disaster. Besides arranging for emergency aid and provisions, he took meticulous care in implementing a rehabilitation project including houses for all families devastated by the fury of floods.

He had noticed the plight of a growing horde of street children, swarming the dark alleys of the urban centres and bazaars and left to the vagaries of harsh living conditions. With some reluctance, Bishop Mar Vayalil gave him permission to open a home to look after the street children. Thus, Fr. Kaippanplackal launched his first social service institution, the Boys Town, in 1959, in a building given rent-free by a kindhearted layman near the Lalam church. In the first batch of inmates there were only three children. Generous help and support came from all quarters, especially from the Mothers’ Unit and the Youth Wing of the parish. Within a short time, the Boys Town was overcrowded, bursting at the seams with a large family of happy children relishing the most precious bond of love.

A three-acre plot of land was bought near Parumalakkunnu to provide a bigger accommodation, initially a thatched shed, for the Boys Town inmates.

There was a strong demand for a similar rehabilitation project for girls. And pressure mounted from his own relatives and home parish folk at Kozhuvanal, offering him free land and all material support. A Girls Town was opened in 1962 at Kozhuvanal.

As the administration of these fast expanding institutions required close attention, Bishop Mar Vayalil relieved Fr. Kaippanplakkal from pastoral duties in the parish. He could then shift his residence to Boys Town.

As the need for care-givers and volunteers was growing, Fr. Kaippanplackal took initiative to bring together a dedicated community, christened Snehagiri Brotherhood. Eight young men joined the Brotherhood at Boys Town.

Similarly another religious community for women, Snehagiri Missionary Sisters, was formed in 1969 with an exclusive mandate for dedicated charity mission and service at the Girls Town. Among the 10 new aspirants, two were Fr. Kaippanplakkal’s nieces. Bishop Mar Vayalil had deputed two women religious – Sister Ursula and Sister Rosemary – to give formation training to the girls who came forward to make a commitment to serve the poor. The new religious congregation for women evolved out of two institutions – Snehalayam and Karunalayam.

The institutions began to grow and thrive, and Fr. Kaippanplackal had to find financial resources to run them smoothly. An innovative idea was a chitty, a financial enterprise run entirely on mutual trust and operated by regular instalment payments from the beneficiaries. The Samaritan Society was formed to run the risky but profitable venture. Bishop Mar Vayalil gave the nod with caveat that it should not lead to any liability on the part of the diocese.

Samaritan Society operations went exceedingly well, bringing in a total turnover of over Rs.110 million. Fr. Kaippanplackal’s winning strategy was in investing the money mostly on rubber and coconut plantations that ensured substantial returns. Over 95 acres of such plantation land was acquired in various places.

The Snehagiri Sisters charity mission, serving old men and women and the physically disabled, expanded to many areas and five new branches were opened between 1970 – 1975.

In a great setback, Fr. Kaippanplackal had to unexpectedly retreat from his active mission in 1975 in order to undergo treatment for complicated medical conditions. He spent months in various hospitals. As the situation was grave, he had handed over all material deeds and documents relating to all the institutions and their possessions to the diocesan authorities.

When he regained health and returned to his favourite field of charity missions in 1977, he had to start anew. The Deivadan Centre at Chethimattam, Palai, established under the auspices of Ossanam Society, dedicated to Blessed Frederic Ossanam who is well-known through St. Vincent de Paul movement, stands as the first milestone of the second major phase of Fr. Abraham Kaippanplackal’s ministry, fully committed to the cause of the destitute older adults.

Appeals came from other dioceses, including Thalassery, Ernakulam, Palakkad, calling for extending the services of Deivadan Centre outside Palai. As the mission flourished, attracting more and more young women and men eager to serve as volunteers and long-term care-givers, many expressed their willingness to make a total commitment to serve the needy. Fr. Kaippanplackal was once again inspired to launch another religious community for women: the Deivadan Congregation.

With blessings from the first Major-Archbishop of Syro-Malabar Church, Cardinal Mar Antony Padiyara, and great encouragement and continuing patronage from Major-Archbishop Cardinal Mar Varkey Vithayathil, the fledgling Deivadan community could survive early trials and emerge stronger and better organised moving its headquarters to Malayattoor, one of the major Catholic pilgrimage centres in India, located in Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese.

The religious women of the Deivadan Congregation take an additional fourth vow of charity, “to serve the poorest of the poor,” besides the three vows – poverty, chastity, and obedience – common to all religious Orders. They wear saffron-colour sarees with a typical indigenous look. Initially they wanted to go barefoot, like their founder Fr. Kaippanplakkal, but for hygienic consideration it was advised they should be using ordinary footwear.

Major-Archbishop Cardinal Mar Vithayathil and the incumbent prelate of Palai, Mar Joseph Kallarangatt, have taken keen interest in promoting Fr. Abraham Kaippanplackal’s cause in Rome. With pontifical recognition awaited for the Deivadan Congregation, the admirers of Fr. Kaippanplackal’s charity missions could finally rejoice seeing him being feted in Rome as the founder of two religious congregations.

In one of the sweetest recollections of providential help coming his way, Fr. Kaippanplackal would joyfully narrate how the legendary playback singer K. J. Yesudas single-handedly raised a substantial amount of funds for Deivadan projects and still continues to graciously promote all its good work. Yesudas was initially invited for a fund-raiser concert at Palai. Before the concert, the internationally renowned singer made a surprise visit to Deivadan Centre at Chethimattam, spending time with the old people, going to the bedside of the sick and feeble. Yesudas was so moved by the experience, he announced that he was going to perform for free for Deivadan. The entire orchestra team also agreed to do the same. And that turned out to be one of the most acclaimed concert performances by Yesudas!

Yesudas, who subsequently conducted four more concerts exclusively for raising funds for Deivadan, is one of the frequent visitors to Deivadan Centres. He would make a quick visit to the Malayattoor centre during transit or en route from the Cochin International Airport at Nedumbassery.

The charismatic figure and saintly ways of a simple priest, a humble instrument of divine compassion and infinite love, can make men and women from all walks of life genuflect instinctively for a benediction that would fill their hearts with immeasurable grace.

Milestones

Charity mission projects and institutions initiated by Fr. Abraham Kaippanplackal

1959: Boys Town, Palai, for boys
1963: Girls Town, Kozhuvanal, for girls
1969: Dayabhavan, Palai, for physically disabled, older adults
1969: Snehalayam, Karur, for disabled women
1969: Karunalayam, Palai
1969: Snehagiri Missionary Sisters, Palai
1970: Santhinilayam, Enthayar, for older women
1971: Rakshabhavan, Maniyamkulam, for older adults
1972: Nirmalabhavan, Poovathilappu, for older adults
1973: Ashasadan, Mundankunnu, for disabled
1975: Ashabhavan, Nenmeni, for disabled women
1977: Deivadan Centre, Ossanam Bhavan, Palai, for older adults
1982: Deivadan Centre, Kolayad, Thalassery, for older adults
1989: Jubilee Bhavan, Palai, for older women
1991: Deivadan Centre Clinic, Palai
1994: Deivadan Ababhavan, Malayattoor, for older adults
1997: Cherupushpam Bhavan, Malayattoor, for older women
1998: Deivadan Congregation for Women, Malayattoor
1999: Maria Bhavan, Malayattoor, for older women
2000: Deivadan Centre, Vadakkanchery, for older women
2001: Bethania Bhavan, Kolayad, for older women
2006: Deivadan Centre, Thankamany, for older women