Fr. Job Edakulathoor was born on 31 May 1942, the son of the late Mr. Chacko and Mrs. Anna Edakulathoor, at Aranattukara Parish in the Archdiocese of Thrissur, Kerala. He was baptized on 6 June 1942 and received the Sacrament of Confirmation in 1952. After completing his matriculation at C.M.S.H. School, Round West, Thrissur, in 1959, he joined the Franciscan Third Order Regular in 1961 at St. John’s Regional Seminary, Bhagalpur, Bihar. Following a year of candidacy there, he continued his formation with the second year of candidacy at FTI, Ranchi.
On 30 May 1963, he entered the Novitiate at Babumahal and, at its completion, made his Temporary Profession on 31 May 1964 at the Sacred Heart Novitiate, Babumahal. In the same year, he commenced his undergraduate studies at St. Xavier’s College, Ranchi, and subsequently pursued philosophy at St. Albert’s College, Ranchi. On 31 May 1967, he made his Solemn Profession at the Sacred Heart Novitiate House, Babumahal.
For his theological studies, he was sent to the Papal Seminary, Pune, where he was ordained a deacon in 1974. Later that year, on 4 November 1974, he was ordained to the priesthood at St. Thomas Church, Aranattukara, Kerala. Alongside his priestly formation, he also pursued higher studies, earning a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) degree and a Master’s degree in English Literature.
After his priestly ordination, Fr. Job Edakulathoor began his pastoral ministry as Associate Pastor at Mendabari, West Bengal, where he served for a year. In 1975, he was appointed Assistant Headmaster and Hostel-in-Charge at St. Francis School, Poreyahat, a responsibility he carried out with dedication until 1976. The following year, he was entrusted with the leadership of Mount Assisi School, Bhagalpur, as Principal, a post he held from January 1977 to December 1983. From 1984 to 1986, he served as Principal of St. Francis School, Harmu, where, with vision and determination, he nurtured the fledgling institution and guided its rapid growth. In 1986, he took charge as Principal of St. Francis School, Deoghar, serving there until 1993 and leaving a lasting legacy of excellence in education.
After nearly eighteen years of distinguished service in the field of education, Fr. Job was assigned to FTI Ranchi, where he served as Director of the Professed Brothers and as a teacher in the minor seminary (1993–1997). He then devoted himself to pastoral ministry, serving as Pastor of St. Elizabeth Church, Kathibari (1999–2005), and later St. Francis Church, Gokhla (2005–2007). In both parishes, he ministered with great zeal, dedication, and pastoral care for the faithful.
In July 2007, Fr. Job was elected Minister Provincial of St. Thomas Province, Bhagalpur. He carried this responsibility with vision, enthusiasm, and commitment, serving both the Church and the Province faithfully until December 2012. Thereafter, he continued his pastoral and educational ministry as Pastor of St. Francis Church, Kanjwae, for a year, and subsequently as Pastor, Headmaster, and Hostel In-charge at Saraihat (2013–2016).
In 2016, he was called to serve in South India, where he ministered as Local Minister, Teacher, and Econome at St. Francis School, Vadakkencherry (2016–2018), and later at St. Francis School, Bagalur (2018–2020). It was during his ministry at Bagalur that Fr. Job was diagnosed with cancer. He was then brought to Assisi Bhavan, Bangalore, where he continued his service as Local Minister and Archivist. With unshakable courage and profound trust in God’s providence, he endured the suffering of advanced multiple myeloma. Despite his illness, he bore witness to faith and perseverance, living for five more years beyond his diagnosis. His health fluctuated during these years, and in the final fortnight, his strength declined noticeably. In the presence of the community members, Fr. Job peacefully returned to his Creator on 20 August 2025, at 2:00 p.m., at Assisi Bhavan, Bangalore.
His mortal remains were kept at Assisi Bhavan in Bangalore, where a multitude of people, including relatives, friends, priests, and religious, gathered to pay their final respects. On 21 August at 11:00 a.m., a Holy Mass was celebrated, attended by numerous faithful who came together to pray for the departed soul. His mortal remains were then taken to Assisi Bhavan, Meenangadi that afternoon, accompanied by his nephews, nieces, relatives, and our friars. Hundreds of Faithful, Priests, Religious, Friends, and Relatives visited throughout the night and day to pay their last respects to their beloved Father Job. The Community at Assisi Bhavan, Meenangadi, meticulously planned everything for the smooth and flawless conduct of the funeral of Fr. Job. The funeral services began at 11.00 a.m. and the rite of the Christian burial was officiated by Very Rev. Fr. Thomas Palakudiyil, TOR the Minister Provincial, assisted by Very Rev. Fr. Thomas Chittookalam, TOR, the Minister Provincial, Province of St. Thomas, Bhagalpur. A large number of Friars, Priests, Religious, Family members, Parishioners and Friends came to pay their respects to Fr. Job and pray for his eternal repose.
Fr. Job Edakulathoor was a person who was constantly on the go for the cause of Christ. He was a man who disciplined his life so beautifully. His dedication to his ministry is a proof for the validity of the age-old saying, “Where there is a will, there is a way”. His sickness did not make him bed-ridden to lament over his poor physical condition, but urged him to be always joyful and in achieving great things for the Lord and his people. He excelled in all the areas where he was called to serve. Indeed, he was an exemplary Friar with a clear vision and a noble mission. He was a man of prayer who had deep trust in the Lord and endeared himself to all with whom he came into contact. There are many institutions in TOR India Mission where Fr. Job is remembered with love and gratitude. Fr. Job was a very unassuming and joyful friar who always did his best whatever he was assigned especially in the missionary works. His homilies were deeply moving, offering profound interpretations of the Gospel and the teachings of the Church. He was recognized not only as a meticulous liturgist, attentive to every liturgical detail, but also as a talented musician who contributed greatly to the beauty of worship. His unfailing dedication to God, the Church and the people entrusted to his care has made Fr. Job a role model for others, especially the youth. Fr. Job fulfilled St. Paul’s ideal of “spending himself “for the Lord and His Gospel. As an authentic Franciscan, Fr. Job was quite simple in his lifestyle, ready to serve any and every one in need, especially those who approached him for any spiritual assistance. He was a man of prayer and an exemplary Franciscan who lived the gospel life joyfully. The death of Fr. Job created a void in the community. In Fr. Job we have lost a fervent religious, committed Franciscan, dedicated missionary and an honest friend. He has gone ahead of us to the land of the living, and his memory will ever be cherished by the Franciscan community as well as by his countless friends and family members. May the Merciful Lord grant Fr. Job eternal blessedness.