I am not spontaneously led to writing this blog, though I did think I would jot down my memories and reflections on Fr Mathew Vattathara CMI. I can't explain this
dwand, in spite of his being rather close to me. We lived under the same roof in a peaceful fellowship. My first appointment after completing post-graduation in 1997 was to Yesu Bhavan, where he was a member, as head master of the school, with Mr Vadakkel assisting him. Most of us in the house got along very well - Fr Kariyil, the principal of Rajagiri College, Fr John Pynadath, the Rector and house superior, Fr Vattathara and myself. Fr John was soon gone - transferred to Angamaly. I observed that the teachers and the students loved Fr Mathew; however, it appeared that he was not happy to continue with that job. His doctoral studies had been, to my understanding, to his taste - it was on something related to liberation Theology, with justice as its foundation. "
I recall him asking me earlier as a freshly ordained priest or as a student of Social Work, whether it was enough to study thus - though he did not specifically mention anything, I sensed that it was a call to a life of integral liberation, beyond the confines of the institutions - however, I sensed in him, also a kind of helplessness as to what could be done about it, or how to go about it. This is only my guess - which I had sensed those 30 odd years ago; and have tried to articulate right now at his passing. Had he been around now, I could have vetted the hunch by clarifying with himself. That great dream of being an apostolate of liberation could not be given any concrete shape by either of us. Nor did we ever have a serious discussion thereafter. I had borrowed from his collection couple of books of Paulo Freire to use for my sessions on Social Action. They are still with me as part of the very small collection of books I possess.
Soon, that is in about a year, he left that community of teachers, students and the Rajagiri campus priests, where he was appreciated and where he belonged. He went to the major seminary of Dharmaram, perhaps teaching Theology of justice, if there was any such thing. We decided to drive him to Bangalore. In the Maruti Zen of Vishwajyothi, Varghese Puthussery, Joy Kilikunnel and I accompanied him. Joy and me taking turns at the wheel of that cute little car, carrying the luggage of Fr Mathew. We placed him at his new home, the faculty residence of Chavara Bhavan in a matter-of-fact manner - devoid of the kind of solemn send offs and farewell of the present times. Having a Maruti Zen itself was deemed a great privilege in those times. The completion of that term saw him being elected as Provincial and I being elected as a member of his council, in charge of social apostolate. With my professional training, and with the inspiration received from the initiatives of my predecessor Rev. Kariyil (who had then been elected the General), I went about with some passion - planning, animating, trying to raise corpus for our trusts through pooling resources from the houses, adding an environmental dimension to the social apostolate, and in all the efforts I had his blessings, never any clash. Even my ambitious proposal for a rural coastal campus at the land pruhcased at Vypin was easily okayed by him (as he was looking after that piece of land). However, neither me nor the college could initiate foundational activities that would take the campus off in that direction - though I did initiate some rural outreach programmes and mangrove conservation efforts, with the next ministry, it was all cleared and before long another school project was initiated there.
The next Ordinary Provincial Synaxis elected Fr Augustine Thottakkara as the provincial, and he would have been happy to have me as his councillor for social apostolate. However, I said I would rather focus on the Ph D, and suggested the previous Provincial himself be in-charge of that so that what was being built up, could be consolidated. And Fr Vattathara had no issue being a councillor after stepping down as the Provincial. He was made Vicar Provincial.
When I learnt about his death soon after the note from Fr Provincial that he was critically ill, it didn't come as a shock, as he had been combating a deadly illness for the past several years. I checked with the Provincial regarding the funeral plans. Had it been the usual way, it would have been on October 1st (the very next day), and there was no question of my participation in that. However, by 7 pm, I got the news that it was to be on Oct. 2nd. Then came a call from Qatar if I was intending to take part, and if yes, to offer a floral tribute on behalf of Doha school. That almost made up my mind, and I looked for a ticket. I got a late night arriving flight for Oct. 1st. Soon after that I got a call from Fr Provincial (almost in the presence of his council) that it was proposed that I do the memorial reflections during the funeral service. I had a sort of inkling that this might happen, though I did feel that the provincial himslef, or the batchmate and vicar provincial Fr Mathew Koikara, or the regular preacher Fr Poulose, or his constant companion and assistant Fr Ajeesh, or his long time coworker Fr Varghese Puthussery could do a better job than me. However, the provincial was almost insistent, and I gave my fiat!
I did spend time collecting data, reflecting and jotting down the points - almost 3 times; almost 8 pages of notes of the 'Gospel of Fr Mathew Vattathara' integrating the theme of Season of Creation, and making passing references to the three readings and focussing on how Fr Mathew's life was a gospel for all. I did struggle with the language for finding apt words in Malayalam for several terms - e.g., empathy, usage like boldness bordering recklessness, rancour etc. However, on the whole, I felt rather prepared for a delivery, though as usual with this time too, I think I skipped certain linkages making some of points remaining suspended in the air. But overall, people appeared glad to have listened to good things about Fr Mathew presented without much ornamentation.
A TRIBUTE TO A 'GOOD MAN' where A Good Man is Hard to Find (Flannery O'Coonnor)
Introduction
The gospel according to St. Mathew 25:21 says: O good and faithful servant... enter into the happiness of your Master. Amen!! May the word be true for Fr Mathew - let us hope, let us pray.
Dear members of Vattathara family, CMI family, students of Fr Mathew, friends and people of good will, we listened to Gospel according to St Matthew, now I would like read with you, the gospel written by Fr Mathew through his life. For it teaches us that Straightforwardness and Goodness are synonyms of Sanctity; and that to be transformed or transfigured into that status is a possibility for anyone, any time; and we can be Pilgrims of that Hope (especially in this jubilee year 2025).
As Catholic church and other churches celebrate the season of creation (September 1 to October 4), let us celebrate the uniquely stupendous creature (srushti) of Mathew of Vattathara family as the gospel for the day. He is called 'Mattachan' by his freinds and near ones.
For those happened to be in his company or approach him, he went about doing the good (Acts 10:39) he could (Chavara: Kannu Kattappetta Nanma), as an empathic presence.
AN OUTSPOKEN REBEL
During his formative years for priesthood in places like Vazhakulam, Kalamassery, Karukutty, Dharmaram, Christ college - Bangalore, Chethipuzha novitiate, Rajagiri School and Prior General's house - the CMI circles saw him as a gifted candidate - intellectually strong, though not really applying that in his studies, strong communication skills, a natural in the field of sports - football, volleyball and basket ball (later on, badminton, table tennis and cricket as well), a leader for the team and a mentor for juniors - at times the leadership taking the form of a bully as well.
To the authorities he came out to be daring, outspoken, questioning with a boldness bordering recklessness, finally landing him on an extraordinary training platform termed 'compulsory regency' (CR), with an exceptional second time. In the later years, when he rose to esteemed offices of the congregation, perhaps, being punished with a CR came to be looked upon as the recognition of a genius!! (At least, having experienced that once, I consider that to be the case๐.
Some of the senior students found him a 'dashing young priest' when he was at Rajagiri school as a regent, with his flare for games.
However, CMI training process, with all its limitations, deserves some praise, as it appears that the 3 years of experiential learning including the two years of CR, did do him good, perhaps tempered him. There were a few god-fathers for him during that time - perhaps, Fr Alex Oruthayappilly, Fr Thomas More, but above all, Fr Theobald, the then general, who is said to have told him: I have brought you here, not to punish you, but to save you (shikshikkaanalla, rakshikkaan). Perhaps, he found that spark in the rebel, and sent him to Pune for the last phase of priestly formation.
A TRANSFORMED ANNOINTED
And in 1980, we find Fr Mathew duly ordained and presenting a submissive and transformed frame - willing to go to work among the unorganised headload workers. But it was not to be. He was appointed at Rajagiri, and with Fr John Pynadath, well known for his fierce tempers, it was expected that there would soon be calamitous clashes - but there was none. The change was for good. It was this mild-mannered Mathew whom the members of our generation have experienced - a transformed person.
He was there with Rajagiri school during a critical phase it had to face.
He took his colleagues along, as I could witness being on the campus.
He used the conventional saama-daama-danda-bheda (more of danda - corporal punishment) niti to make them walk a straight path. Helped his students to think critically on issues, and also Math. As the famous Tata Steel ad goes: He also taught Mathematics (and very well). He was well known for his caning methods which over the years got transformed into a shoulder punch with his fist - and I found his students narrating that without any rancour.
He knew most (all?) of them by name. He knew their families - the problems they had, as being recalled by him in later year casual conversations. Thus, his ministry of education was extended to a family ministry, and ideal for a Christian educator (or for anyone) in turn, making it a ministry of utmost happiness to hundreds of his students. I am not sure whether he made family visits for this - I think not. It is really heartening to see the efforts people like Fr Poulose make to deliberately reach out to the families of the students so that all concerned are involved in the learning process, and the learning includes the whole person, not merely the intellect of the student.
To my understanding, Fr Mathew's approach was devoid of any populism, endearments or any extra-fitting - and nor was he found to be a man of many words. But his genuineness communicated and it was experienced as care, concern, love or empathy by the students.
But his liberal thinking and the desire for freedom led him to leave the school ministry and seek higher learning. He obtained admission for a research programme at the prestigious Catholic University of Leuven, where, under the guidance of the famous liberation theologian, Prof. Georges De Schrjver SJ, he completed a Ph. D in (Liberation) Theology, a rare feat among the CMIs. His time at Leuven appears to have been a cherished period for him, as I surmised from the very many references he used to make regarding life there. There, he was actively involved in organising the discussions on the Leuven India Theological Forum. He was a friend in need for the CMIs who arrived there for learning, usually penniless - cooking food for them, typing the thesis for seniors like Fr Antony Vallavanthara, even monetarily being of support for the freshers like the now well-established Fr Kurian Kachappilly. His thesis was titled: The Methodology of Latin American Liberation Theology: Towards an Understanding and a Critical Evaluation of Its Relation to Marxism (May 1992).
But arriving back as a Theologian, he was asked to serve Rajagiri school, which required some experienced hand, and that tryst lasted a long time, from which he got release only by 1999, when he was invited to be on the faculty of Theology of Dharmaram College. I am given to understand that he employed interactive learning rather than finishing off his task with the stereotypical lectures when dealing with topics like 'Trinity'. Again, that too did not last long as he was elected Provincial in 2002, and thereafter as Vicar Provincial in 2005, making him once and for all time a Rajagiri man through and through.
Thereafter he was part of the team with Fr Varghese Puthussery in Dubai, and later on, with Fr Isaac Tharayil in Doha, to set up, what I deem as the Gulf Mission - with many of our fraternity wincing the term 'mission' (for most of them, it is just a contract and a means for earning some money, rather than a mission). That stint was followed by the closure of the Dubai chapter in 2017, and he came back to take charge of the Rajagiri Colleges, one after the other, which lasted till the very last.
A CHEQUERED CAREER: From a 'worldly point of view', he had a chequered career spanning some 45 years.
- I would count starting with his 3 outings as a regent, providing him ample learning opportunities
- then, at Rajagiri school and boarding, as teacher, rector, headmaster and campus coordinator
- then, as a faculty of Theology at Dharmaram,
- establishing schools at Dubai and Doha
- director of Rajagiri colleges
- Provincial, Vicar Provincial and Provincial Councillor.
He never sought any position, but as they came, he accepted them gracefully, trying to do justice to those offices, though in the last years, his ailments and continuous treatment might have impeded his effectiveness in those roles. However, he strove to be there, active and alive and letting not the illness and the painful treatment overpower him. In each of these, the biblical dictum of 'the stone rejected becoming the cornerstone' was getting fulfilled.
And that is also the miracle of the transformation of a rebel into a considerate leader in authority. Some would put it as a total paradigm shift, a 180 degree turn-around, and some would say that, from a critic, he got coopted by the system.
I have sensed a kind of disappointment in him for not having been able to be the radical he wanted to be. Perhaps, because of that, he was never found to be a pushy task-master, and for some of his friendly colleagues, he was a 'slowcoach'.
A RELIGIOUS WITH A DIFFERENCE: From a religious point of view, I find him
a person unattached - while he had good relations with his family members, even in that we could find a kind of detachment. The healthy bond he had is vouched by the fact that even we who had lived with him, know most of them, though it was not that we visited his house or they made frequent visit this side - but they were all part of that healthy network of relationships.
an empathic person - though he did not really employ any specific technology people felt understood, and accepted by him. And in his role as the provincial superior, he could intervene effectively to help some younger members in their crisis situation, that they could attain priesthood, and could grow to give effective leadership in the province in various leader roles.
a friend - the warmth of friendship he extended was experienced by his peers - they recall that he would leave an impact on them, that once having met him, it was not easy to forget him - his warm welcome, solicitude and smile.
He never seemed to hold any rancour for anyone, including those who had made decisions not in his favour - nor with people who held other views than his.
a gentle-meek person - Everyone uses the term 'gentleman' (เดฎാเดจ്เดฏเตป) for him. He was indeed a gentleman, but more than that - He was a gentle and meek person (เดธൗเดฎ്เดฏเตป), after the heart of Jesus (Mtt 11:25). Though he wouldn't preach about that, he was that.
a man who believed in living life full - He believed in life and loved life, fulfilling the famous saying 'to be fully human and fully alive'. He enjoyed the good things of life - games and sports, good food, good movies, good books, good company.
an example of fortitude - The last years showed the cardinal virtue of 'fortitude' shining in him - he faced the sufferings in life, as they came, in a matter-of-fact manner - never getting dejected, nor losing hope. Trying to make the best of the situations.
Over 30 years he was deprived of his favourite pastime of sports and games
Over 20 years he had to struggle with the malfunctioning of kidneys and the high creatin level.
Over 4 years he had to undergo dialysis, twice or thrice a week, and he bore with the pain and suffering involved calmly.
In all these, there was hardly an instance of complaint, cribbing or self-pity!
In those last four years, he reminded me of the 'man' of Kipling's 'If':
'If you can force your heart, nerve and sinews
To serve your turn, long after they are gone
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the will that says to them: hold on!'
a 21st century educator - Nowadays, we speak about the 4Cs of 21st century as educational outcomes - Critical thinking, creativity, communication and collaboration - perhaps, a fifth could be added - compassion. I would say, that as an educator, he proved himself to be a model for most of them and tried to transfer most of them to his students.
I find him a stalwart critical thinker, perhaps, questioning many things his avocation takes for granted - especially those ritualistic adherence. He felt they were enslaving rather than liberating, and like Galileo, who was asked to recant, but still soliloquised, 'it still moves around the sun', I think he found the religiosity entrapped in ritualism as unchristian, though he no longer said so, aloud. Perhaps, with 'office for the dead' pouring in incessantly in his honour or for the repose of his soul, bona fides notwithstanding, might be making him turn in his coffin!!
Indeed, he proved himself to be an effective communicator, with a facility to collaborate with all sorts of people and above all communicating compassion through his straightforward and artless presence, disposition and company.
a rare fusion - As we bid him farewell on October 2nd, I feel the 3 people we celebrated in the days of Oct 1 and 2, fused in him. On Oct 1st, the church celebrated a young nun confined to the carmel cloisters and doing nothing so very extraordinary, being elevated to public veneration as an extraordinary person. I feel within the circle of CMI-Rajagiri, Fr Mathew reamined in a way, very ordinary - with hardly any new institution or initiative by him, hardly any organisation which he led (though not forgetting his active role in the formation of Leuven India Alumni Forum, his active presence on ROSA platforms, and his blessings for the local youth initiative I took - FYRE), hardly ever being a renowned preacher, hardly ever being a great author publishing books or articles, nor as a social media person... but he achieved a place in the hearts of people he came across - peers, colleagues, students, parents. He has established his own 'little way' by his simple and straigthforward presence. When St. Paul grapples with the nature of 'afterlife' in the reading from the letter to the Corinthians (I Cor 15:), this is already begun for Fr Mathew, as his 'yassha shareeram' (the body of fame).
As we celebrate Gandhi Jayanti today, I find him as someone who had absorbed the principles of non-violence, rather, non-agression in his uttaraashram, if not in the poorvashram. So too, as we celebrate the guardian angel (whatever that may mean), I find him a guardian angel for the many who were entrusted to his care, or to the many whom he engaged with in several ways.
a befitting reason to celebrate the Season of Creation - As we are concluding the season of Creation, let us raise our hearts in praise for the unique miracle of the creation that Fr Mathew was, for his presence of forthrightness, for the package of gifts he brought with him, for the great example of fortitude and perseverance, for the assurance that transformation is possible for individuals, and the rejected stone can be the corner stone, and today, above all, for the gentle and prepared passage into eternity like Aaron who solemnly departs from this life (Numbers 21:)
A Personal Note of Gratitude - I am personally grateful to the Provincial council to have identified and entrusted me to pay tribute to him and proclaim the gospel that he was, though I am not sure if I could do justice to that.
I feel grateful to God that I had the privilege of his company for over two years under the same roof, as his next door neighbour, the privilege to see him off on his venture into Theological pasture riding with him all the way up to Bangalore; and also for having given me the opportunity to be on his team of Provincial council, and in the last four years on my visits to the Provincial house, to share table fellowship with him, and to get to know his struggles without complaints.
TRIBUTES
I would stop with 3 excerpts from the several messages I received, unsolicited, in the last two days:
1. By Dr M.P. Antoni, veteran social worker who had seen him for several decades on the Rajagiri campus:
เดช്เดฐเดฃാเดฎം
เดเดดിเด്เด เดชเดคിเดจാเดฑാം เดคീเดฏเดคി เด
เด്เดเตป เดธാเดฐเดฅ്เดฏം เดตเดนിเด്เดിเดฐുเดจ്เดจ เดോเดณേเดിเตฝ เดെเดจ്เดจു เดเด്เดเดธเดฎเดฏเดค്เดค് เดจേเดฐിเตฝ เดเดฃ്เดുเดฎുเด്เดിเดฏ เดเตผเดฎ്เดฎเดเตพ เดเดจ്เดจും เดนൃเดฆเดฏเดค്เดคിเตฝ เดคെเดณിเด്เดുเดจിเตฝเด്เดുเดจ്เดจു.
เด
เดจ്เดจു เดชเด്เดുเดตെเด്เด เดธംเดญാเดทเดฃเด്เดเตพ, เดเตผเดฎ്เดฎเดเดณുเดെ เดเดดുเด്เดിเตฝ เดจിเดจ്เดจും เดชൊเด്เดിเดฏ เดนൃเดฆเดฏเดธ്เดชเตผเดถിเดฏാเดฏ เดตാเด്เดുเดเตพ—เดเดฒ്เดฒാം เดเดจ്เดจും เดฎเดจเดธിเตฝ.
เดเดฐു เดീเดตിเดคเดാเดฒം เดฎുเดดുเดตเตป เด
เด്เดเตป เดเด്เดിเดฏുเดฑเดช്เดชിเด്เด เดธൗเดนൃเดฆเด്เดเดณും เดตിเดคเด്เด เดธ്เดจേเดนเดตും เดെเดฏ്เดคുเดคീเตผเดค്เดค เดจเดจ്เดฎเดเดณും เดธเดฎൂเดนเดค്เดคിเดจാเดฏി เดจเตฝเดിเดฏ เดฎเดนเดค്เดคാเดฏ เดธംเดญാเดตเดจเดเดณും เดാเดฒเดค്เดคിเดจเดช്เดชുเดฑം เดเดจ്เดจും เดจിเดฒเดจിเตฝเด്เดും.
เดจเดจ്เดฎเดฏുเดെ เดชാเดคเดฏിเตฝ เดธเด്เดเดฐിเด്เดാเตป เด
เด്เดเตป്เดฑെ เดീเดตിเดคം เดเดฒ്เดฒാเดตเตผเด്เดും เดเดจ്เดจും เดช്เดฐเดോเดฆเดจเดฎാเดฏിเดฐിเด്เดും.
2. By Dr Renju Tharian, his student at Rajagiri school, now serving as a senior surgeon in Chicago.
Sitting in the beautiful island of Santorini, looking over the blue waters of the Aegean sea, I feel so empty and sad to hear about Vattathara Achan’s passing.
I have had the privilege of being taught and trained by some remarkably accomplished people, but Vattathara achan was by far the teacher who inspired and influenced me the most. I am not sure if my life’s trajectory would be what it is, if not for having a teacher like him during one of the most impressionable years of my life. It would probably be the same for most of us.
He taught us more about life than just mathematics. His most important lessons for me were his lessons on critical thinking. I remember him often diverging from matrix and geometry and talking to us about philosophy, theology, current affairs and his views on almost all aspects of life. More importantly he always made sure he explained why he held those views, never expecting his students to blindly agree to his opinions and view points. It’s his lessons in class X, that changed my outlook on life in general. He gave me the confidence to realize that even an average student like me can do something worthwhile with perseverance, resilience and willingness to step out of the “ comfort zone”. I feel a deep sense of gratitude for having had a teacher who inspired me to be the best I can be and for that I can’t thank Vattathara achan enough.
Rest in Peace, Vattathara Achan. Thanks for everything, so long and see you on the other side.
3. Rev. Fr. Jose Kariamadam CMI - his coworker and friend.
We lost one of my best friends in the CMI, a free thinker, humble, simple and a down-to-earth guy. He was basically an agnostic.
There were times we talked about the afterlife, the existence of God, heaven, hell, purgatory etc. He was a seeker of truth and died as a seeker. He wanted social change and had a different perspective on spirituality as a whole. There was a little of Tony DeMello in him.
" I don't know anything about tomorrow, but I know who holds tomorrow, and He will hold my hand!"
My own tribute on the FB - https://www.facebook.com/1251360683/posts/pfbid0kUD7uuSsJ7xzMh49H1C1tUDCvCL3qcjXixdT4oHMdmjqYLQir9K85N64X7JHSm2pl/
PRANAMAM: Let me conclude by offering the lines of Madhusoodhanan Nair (written on Mahatma Gandhi) as my tribute to Fr. Mathew Vattathara
เดคเดจിเดฏേ เดจเดเดจ്เดจു เดจീ เดชോเดตുเด
เดคเดณเตผเดจ്เดจാเดฒും เด
เดฐുเดคേ เดชเดฐാเดถ്เดฐเดฏเดตും เดเดณเดตും
เด
เดจുเดാเดฎിเดฏിเดฒ്เดฒാเดค്เดค เดชเดฅിเดാ,
เดคുเดเตผเดจ്เดจാเดฒും เดเดเดฑാเดคെ เดจിเตป เดงീเดฐ เดാเดจം (2)
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