Prominent Figures of the Kerala Church-95 Rev. Dr. Joseph Marutholil

Prominent Figures of the Kerala Church-95
Rev. Dr. Joseph Marutholil
Rev. Dr. Joseph Marutholil, a prominent organizer who united the scattered Syro-Malabar Catholics across various parts of Thiruvananthapuram city and connected them with the Lourdes Church, was born on February 6, 1929, in Ilangulam, as the son of Augustine Marutholil and Elizabeth Kanjirakattu. His mother passed away when he was two years old. After completing his primary education at St. Mary’s School in Ilangulam, he finished high school at Ponkunnam School. In 1946, he joined St. Thomas’ Petty Seminary in Changanassery to begin his priestly studies. He completed his philosophy studies at the Alappuzha Mangalapuzha Seminary in 1948 and was sent to the Propaganda College in Rome for theological studies in 1952. On December 21, 1955, he received priestly ordination from Cardinal Micara in Rome, and the following day, he celebrated his first Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.
After becoming a priest, he continued his theological studies at the Dominican College in Rome, earning a doctorate in moral theology. During his stay in Rome, he had the opportunity to engage in parish work in England, Scotland, and West Germany, which significantly contributed to his personal development.
From a young age, he showed exceptional skills in handling electrical equipment and pursued further studies in electronics, eventually obtaining a diploma in the field. After becoming a priest, he dedicated himself to this as his primary hobby, rendering notable service in this area.
Upon returning from Rome, Marutholil was appointed assistant vicar at Changanassery Cathedral. This position allowed him to become more familiar with the blessed life of St. Kaviakattu Thirumeniyan. He believes that the special ability to communicate with the parishioners was a gift from St. Kaviakattu.
Thiruvananthapuram was once the capital of Travancore, and many of the current residents of Kerala, especially in the city, migrated there for employment. With the right to jobs being extended to people of all religions and castes in government service, Catholics from various parts of Kerala, including the Syro-Malabar Catholics, settled in Thiruvananthapuram. There was no record of how many Syro-Malabar Catholics lived in the expansive city and its outskirts. In this context, Joseph Marutholil was appointed as the vicar of Lourdes Church (Thiruvananthapuram). He faced significant challenges in bringing together the scattered Syro-Malabar Catholics and connecting them to Lourdes Church, requiring constant travel.
Tom Jose noted in the November 2005 issue of “Nalla Ayalkkaran” magazine that “since the majority of the Syro-Malabar Catholics in the city were working individuals, contact could only be made with them after 6 PM, which required more effort. He had to gather funds and prepare designs for constructing a large church in the future before bidding farewell to Thiruvananthapuram.” Subsequently, he served in various churches, including Vazhūr Holy Cross, Kottangal St. John the Baptist, and Muthur St. George.
After the division of the Changanassery Archdiocese and the establishment of the Kanjirappally Diocese, Dr. Marutholil joined the Kanjirappally Diocese in 1977. He was later appointed as vicar of St. Anthony’s Church in Chengalam and became a professor at the minor seminary in the diocese, also serving as a spiritual advisor to the priest students. He currently serves as the rector of the old church in Kanjirappally (Akkarapally). In November 2005, he celebrated his golden jubilee of priesthood at his home parish, St. Mary’s Church in Ilangulam, in a grand manner.