Prominent Figures of the Kerala Church-108 Rev. Dr. Jacob Kattayikal

Prominent Figures of the Kerala Church-108
Rev. Dr. Jacob Kattayikal

Rev. Dr. Jacob Kattayikal, known in various roles such as a scholar of different languages, author, and speaker, was born on March 30, 1930, in the village of Kattayikal, near Bharanangann, as the third child of Thomas and Elizabeth. His baptismal name was Jacob (Chacko). Growing up in a large family of 13 children in a joyful and peaceful environment, Jacob showed great interest in learning and prayer from a young age.

In the 1930s, when there was severe economic decline in Central Kerala, Thomas and Elizabeth, along with their first three children, moved to Kannikal Mala in the Idukki district. Jacob received his early education at the C.M.S. (now C.S.S.I.) Primary School, which had been established by Baker Saheb in 1846 on the hilltop of Kannikal Mala. Later, he completed his middle school education at St. Thomas Middle School in Arakkulam. After finishing his third form there, Jacob began his high school education in Bharanangann in 1946, following the end of World War II.

On July 29th of the same year, Jacob was fortunate to witness the funeral procession of Alphonsamma and later participated in lighting a candle at her grave in the cemetery. In 1949, Jacob completed his high school education. Soon after, he joined the Minor Seminary in Changanassery, where he became part of the last group of seminarians under the guidance of Mar James Kalassery.

After his seminary studies, Jacob continued his theological education at St. Paul’s Major Seminary in Thrissinappally in 1951. There, under the guidance of renowned theologians, he spent seven years of study and training, which he considered a divine blessing. On March 28, 1958, he was ordained as a priest by Mar Sebastian Vayalil at Palai. The following day, he celebrated his first Divine Liturgy at the Old Church in Arakkulam.

In recognition of his exceptional leadership, he was sent by the seminary authorities to Rome for further studies. He traveled with his father and companions from Kochi on October 3, 1958. During the sea voyage, they received the news of Pope Pius XII’s passing. On October 28, Jacob had the privilege of witnessing the election of Pope John XXIII at St. Peter’s Square.

Jacob enrolled in the Gregorian University in Rome in 1958 for advanced theological studies and earned his Doctorate in Theology (S.T.D. or D.D.) in 1965. Additionally, he completed a Master’s degree in Sanskrit and Indian Philosophy from the University of London (1961-63). After returning to India in 1965, Jacob was appointed as a professor at Vadavathur Seminary, where he taught Theology, Philosophy, and Sanskrit. He continued his academic journey by obtaining a second doctoral degree in Indian Philosophy (Ph.D.) from the University of Kerala.

In 1973, Jacob returned to Vadavathur Seminary, where he continued his teaching career until 1986, when he was appointed as Associate Professor and Research Associate at the Vedanta Center, Kerala University in Thiruvananthapuram. During his tenure, he assisted many research students with their doctoral theses and wrote a profound work on Shankara Vedanta.

In 1991, Jacob returned to Vadavathur Seminary, where he continued teaching for another four years. During a visit to Rome in 1992, he began translating the Catechism of the Catholic Church into Malayalam, with the first four volumes completed during his time in Vadavathur. This translation was later published by P.O.C. and is available today.

Rev. Dr. Jacob Kattayikal has written over 80 books in both English and Malayalam. He has contributed numerous articles to journals and other publications, and his works are used as textbooks in major seminaries and universities. His scholarly achievements have been recognized with numerous awards, including the Namboothiri Award from Kerala Sahitya Akademi in 1982 for his book Aquinas-Shankara-Ramanuja-Madhva Philosophies. His book Religion and Ethics received the Swami Pranavananda Award from the All India Philosophy Congress in 1984.

Jacob’s works have made significant contributions to the field of theology, philosophy, and interreligious dialogue. His books Christus-Darsanam and Advaita Vedanta Dharma Shastra are widely respected in academic circles. Today, Rev. Dr. Jacob Kattayikal continues to dedicate his time to writing, teaching, and delivering lectures globally, spreading the light of knowledge and faith.