By Matters India Reporter
Kuravilangad, India, December 26, 2022: The pioneer of the Claretians in India, Fr. George Vanchipurackal (79) died on December 25 after celebrating Christmas with his family members.

His funeral will take place in Claret Bhavan, Kuravilangad at 2.30 pm on December 26.

Fr. George Vanchipurackal was a pioneering formator and mentor for the Claretian priests in India after he was ordained a Claretian priest in Rome in 1969. He was part of the second batch of students sent by the then Palai bishop Sebastian Vayalil to the Claretian seminary in Germany.

“Fr. George Vanchipurackal was one of the pioneers who contributed a lot towards the growth of our Congregation in India”, said Fr. Siby Njavallikunnel, the Provincial Superior of the Congregation.

He served as Prefect of Formation of Bangalore Province in the early nineties and played a key role in forming Claretian Missionaries in the beginning phase of our Congregation in India, said the provincial.

He served as the first Rector of Claretian Seminary, Bangalore and formed the first batches of Claretians in India. Then he served as a Formator in Northeast India as the rector of Claret Villa, Shillong, the formation house for theology.

Later he went to Germany to serve the Province there. After several years of his service in Germany, he was re-incardinated to the Province of St. Thomas Syro-malabar Province in 2013.

“25th of December 2022, will hereafter remain in our hearts with a blending of the feelings of both joy and sorrow. Joyful, for the Holy Infant is born, sorrowful, for the sudden demise of our beloved”, observed the provincial superior.

The sudden demise of Fr.George is shocking, but he was privileged to be born in heaven on the same day of the nativity of the Lord, he said.

Fr. Njavallikunnel who visited the house of Fr. Vanchipura with the Superior General of the Congregation, Fr. Mathew Vattamattam on Christmas day narrated the last moments of the pioneering missionary. He said Fr. George went home for celebrating Christmas with his family members in the afternoon of 24th and was very jovial and pleasant with a usual rhythm of life with his dear ones at home.

In the morning hours of Christmas day, there was a sudden decline in his pulse rate and immediately rushed to the Kaduthuruthy Cooperative Hospital, but he died on the way.

Fr. George Vanchipurackal was born on 26th September 1944. He completed his initial formation in Germany. His First Profession was on 1st May, 1964 and Perpetual Profession on 1st May 1968. He was ordained on 26th July 1969 in Rome.

He wrote and published a few books and articles like “Kidavilakku” on the life and mission of the founder, St. Antony Mary Claret and “Why the Mission?” are most wanted even today.

Fr. George was a Professor at St. Peter’s Pontifical Seminary, Bangalore and his classes on Holy Eucharist, his writings and weekly conferences on etiquette of life and religious life are still echoing in the ears of all who were formed by him.