Prominent Figures of the Kerala Church-85
Fr. Kamil C.M.I.
In Kerala, where devotion to Mary is prominent, Fr. Kamil, a member of the C.M.I. (Carmelites of Mary Immaculate) congregation, has been actively engaged in promoting Marian devotion. Born on August 7, 1928, as the son of Joseph and Thresiamma in the Neelyar family, a branch of the Vayalakkombu family, founders of the large church in Pala, he received baptism on August 15, the day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. His childhood name was Mammothisa.
Fr. Kamil received his primary education at the Parappally Government Primary School near Pala and attended Middle School in Chengala, crossing the river to reach school due to the absence of a bridge. He later joined St. Thomas High School and completed his high school education at an English medium school. After a year of teaching at Ilamdesam Primary School, he joined the Central Bank in Pala in 1949, working there for four years. He left the bank in 1953 to join the C.M.I. congregation, taking his first vows in 1955 and adopting the name Kamil. He was ordained a priest on May 17, 1962.
Fr. Kamil focused on meditation and preaching, serving as the Provincial Procurator of the St. Joseph Province. From 1966 to 1969, he was the superior of the Poonjar Ashram. From 1969 onward, he served as a master and teacher for various stages of formation—aspirants, postulants, novices, and juniors—in the Pala diocese.
He worked as the editor of the magazine “Karmalakusumam” from 1974 to 1979 and conducted a statewide campaign for its promotion. He has authored 53 books covering a range of topics including theology, philosophy, Marxism, liberation theology, ethics, spirituality, Christology, Mariology, biblical psychology, religious life, and family life.
Fr. Kamil has published numerous articles in well-known journals such as Deepika, Satyadeepam, Deepanalam, Karmalakusumam, Kathirol, and Samarpitha. He has also been a member of the Pala Diocesan Clergy Senate, the Pastoral Council, and the Liturgical Committee. For 15 years, he served as the director of the Legion of Mary in Poonjar.
From July to October 1991, Fr. Kamil traveled abroad, visiting holy sites in the Holy Land, Lourdes, Fatima, as well as America and Germany. He also edited a modern Bible published by Mannanathu, renewing the devotion to the Holy Mother and St. Joseph.
Fr. Kamil continues to immerse himself in promoting Marian devotion through talks and retreats focused on Mary and parish meditation.
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