Fr. Thomas Pannickaruparampil, son of the late John and Thressiama Kalariparampil was born on 11 December 1934 at Kurupamthara Kottayam, Kerala. He was baptized at St. John Baptist Church, Kanjirathanam. He was the youngest of four brothers and three sisters. After his secondary education, he was recruited to the Order by late Bishop Urban McGarry, TOR the then superior of the TOR Franciscans in India and later the Bishop of Bhagalpur.
Initial formation was done at Gokhla under the able guidance of our pioneer missionaries. He pronounced his first vows on 4 June 1956 and made his Solemn Profession on 4 June 1959. He completed his priestly studies of Philosophy and Theology at St. Albert’s College, Ranchi. Thereupon he was ordained a priest by the Archbishop of Ranchi, Pius Kerketta, S.J. at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Ranchi on 7 September 1962. Thereafter, he completed his higher education at Bhagalpur University.
He began his education ministry as Assistant Headmaster of St. Francis High School, Poreyahat, Santhal Pargana and then as its Headmaster. He was transferred to St. Francis School, Deoghar to serve as Principal. He also served St. Francis School, Harmu as Principal. Thereafter, he was elected as a General Councilor and served the Order in Rome for six years. In the following few years, he served the India Mission in Loretto, PA until 1992. In the Chapter held at Franciscan Ashram, Bhagalpur in 1992, he was installed as the Minister Provincial and served the Order and the Province till 1996. After the term as Provincial, he continued his service at the India Mission and then at St. Catherine of Sienna Church, Carrollton, Fort Worth, Texas.
He returned to India and took upon the training of our candidates at Vinay Sadan, Fatehpur, Bhagalpur as Rector from 1999. He was appointed as the Pastor of St. Francis Church, Fatehpur and later continued his services as a spiritual assistant and teacher until his last breath.
Fr. Thomas celebrated his 62nd Ordination Anniversary with Friars and students in Vinay Sadan on 7 September 2023, glorifying God and thanking everyone for walking with him all these years. On Saturday, 9 September, in evening he developed chest pain which was diagnosed as heart attack. He was admitted to Holy Family Hospital, Tilkamanjhi, Bhagalpur under the supervision of able doctors. He showed sign of improvement although fatigue had settled in. On 16September, exactly a week later, when everything was ready for his discharge from the hospital, he developed chest pain again and was rushed to Pulse Hospital for expert opinion but, as God wanted him, he breathed his last at 2:15 p.m.
With his death, the province has lost a stalwart, an epitome of Seraphic love and joy, a living example of hard work and simple living, an embodiment of goodness and service. In his presence animosities melted, and infectious laughter bust forth. His jovial nature evoked spontaneous applause and a scene of mirth was aplenty. There was none who has not benefitted from his magnanimity and largesse.
Fr. Thomas was one of the last links with our exemplary Pioneers and imparted their legacy of love and service to His people. In his death, the province has lost an authentic Franciscan, a beacon of excellence in the practice of Christian values, a mentor, a brother, a father and an ideal. As a lover of nature, he cared and loved every animate and inanimate beings. He was a man of prayer and a high on personal integrity. An example to the friars par excellence. Though we have lost Fr. Thomas in this world, we have gained a mediator in heaven.
Adieu, Fr. Thomas, till we meet at Lord’s table in heaven.