Vincentian Congregation
The Vincentian Congregation is a clerical society in the Syro-Malabar Church with its Generalate at Edappally in the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly. It comes under the category of the Societies of Common Life according to the manner of religious. It is of Pontifical right. The congrega¬tion was founded on 20 November 1904 as a Koventha at Thottakom by Fr. Varkey Kattarath, Vicar of Vaikom, with three diocesan priests, namely Frs. Joseph Kariapurayidam, Mani Paramkulangara and Kusumos Kattezhath, with the approval of Mar Louis Pazheparampil, the first Vicar Apostolic of Er¬nakulam (1896-1919), based on the Common Rules of St. Vincent de Paul, on the model of the Congregation of the Mission, founded by him in 1625. As the members of the Koventha were asked now and then by the bishop to do pastoral work in different parishes for long, inspite of his formal instruction on 2 August 1912 to Fr. Varkey Kattarath to take steps for a proper commu¬nity life as per the Common Rules of the Congregation of the Mission, all of them left Thottakom by 1915 for various reasons with the permission of the bishop who invited them to his diocese for starting the Koventha.
After some years Rev. Frs. George Mannara, Antony Pauvathil and George Vattamkandathil expressed their desire to lead a religious life to Mar Au¬gustine Kandathil, the then Archbishop of Ernakulam who directed them to revive the religious community once founded at Thottakom. Accordingly they revived it and began the community life at Thottakom on 19 July 1927. Fr. Varkey Kattarath joined them at Thottakom in October 1927. With the permission of the Archbishop he took the first vows on 20 July 1929 and perpetual vows on 19 July 1931, before his death on 24 October 1931. The Koventha at Thottakom was officially called the Vincentian Congregation in 1938 before the pioneer fathers took the first vows.
The Congregation draws its spirit and distinctive character from the life and works, and the Common Rules of St. Vincent de Paul who is chosen as the Father and Patron of the Vincentian Congregation. The Congregation has taken as its motto, “He has sent me to proclaim the Good News to the poor” (Lk.4:18), which inspired St. Vincent de Paul. The specific and pre-eminent purpose of the Congregation is the evangelization of the poor, especially the more abandoned. It is realized in the Popular Mission retreats, preaching ministry, missionary works and through charitable, social and educational apostolate. The Vincentian Congregation was raised to the status of ‘pon¬tifical right’ on 11 February 1968. The Apostolic Exarchate of Satna of the Syro Malabar Rite was erected on 29 July 1968 and was entrusted to the Vincentian Congregation. The Exarchate was raised to the rank of an Epar¬chy (diocese) on 26 February 1977.
Another milestone in the history of the Congregation was the erection of St. Thomas dependent region on 28 February 1980 for the Hindi speaking area. The Congregation was divided into two dependent regions in Kera¬ la in 1988. On 1 January 1990 the dependent regions of Marymatha and St. Joseph were raised to provinces and the St. Thomas region to a vice-province. Eventually, this vice-province also was raised to a province. St. Thomas Province extended its mission works to the diocese of Meerut in U.P. in 1989. Soon more houses and activities began in U.P. and a Mission Superior was appointed for the U.P. Mission. Now 14 fathers are doing min¬istry in this mission.
In 1991, Kalyan diocese entrusted the civil district of Ahmednagar in Maha¬rashtra with the Marymatha Province for intensive and extensive evangeli¬zation with territorial jurisdiction. The mission was formally inaugurated by Mar Paul Chittilappilly, the then Bishop of Kalyan diocese on September 11, 1991. The mission is called St. Paul Mission and at present 14 fathers are working here.
The mission works in Andhra Pradesh begun in 1978 at Bhimadole in the diocese of Eluru were extended to other dioceses of Rayalaseema area in 1988. The mission works in Andhra Pradesh were organized under a mis¬sion superior from 1998. This mission was declared a dependent region under Marymatha Province called Good Shepherd Region on 6 January 2006, and was officially inaugurated on 24th of the same month. At present, there are 36 fathers working in this region.
The mission works in East Africa begun with the arrival of Rev. Frs. James Edavazhithara and Jacob Athickal in Mbeya, Tanzania on 10 July 1979 were accelerated with the arrival of Rev. Fr. Joseph Kurupamparambil. The Af-rican Mission has been raised to the status of a dependent region under Marymatha Province called Sacred Heart Region on 6 January 2006 and was formally inaugurated on 18 November 2006. At present there are 26 fa¬thers working in this region in the countries of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
The first mission started outside Kerala in 1962 at Adaikalapuram at the invitation of Rt. Rev. V.S. Selvanather, Bishop of Salem and with the blessing and approval of the Oriental Congregation gradually spread to other parts of the state of Tamilnadu and the neighboring states of Karnataka and Goa. For the effective co-ordination and development of the mission centres in these states, they were organized under a Mission Superior on 19 March 2003. This mission was raised to the status of a dependant region under St. Joseph Province and named St. Xavier’s Region on 1 May 2007. Now 28 fathers are doing ministry in this region.
Rev. Fr. George Mannara, Msgr. Thomas Nedumkallel, Rev. Fr. Jacob Kal¬larackal, Rev. Fr. George Kammattil, Rev. Fr. George Manalel , Rev. Fr. Paul Kariamadam, Rev. Fr. Antony Plackal, Rev. Fr. George Arackal and Rev. Fr. Varghese Puthussery served as Superiors General of the Congregation for different periods of time. At present the Congregation is led by Rev. Fr. Var¬ghese Parappuram, elected Superior General on 21 April 2009.
General Administration
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION |
|
Superior General |
|
Fr. John Kandathinkara |
General Administration, Recruitment, Formation, Community Life & Auditing |
Councilors |
|
Fr. Antony Chakkungal |
Asst. Superior General, Mission, Social and Charitable Works |
Fr. Augustine Mundackatt |
Popular Mission, Retreats and Pastoral Work |
Fr. Thomas Mangalathu |
Education and Media |
Fr. George Elengickalputhanthara |
Finance and Construction |
Fr. Thomas Mangalathu |
Secretary General |
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Address |
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Vincentian Generalate, De Paul Nagar, P.B. No. 2250, Edappally, Kochi, 682 024, Kerala, India. |
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Tel: 0484 2540503, 2550571 (Superior General) |
E mail: vcgeneral@gmail.com |
Internal Auditor of Accounts |
Fr. Moonnupeedikckal Antony |
Secretary to the Superior General |
Fr. Aloshi Kozhuppathadathil |
Marymatha Province
MARYMATHA PROVINCE |
|
Provincial Superior |
|
Fr. Paul Puthuva VC |
(Provincial Administration, Recruitment, |
Councilors |
|
Fr. Mathew Thadathil VC |
Asst. Provincial, Popular Mission, |
Fr. John Mangalath VC |
Education and Media |
Fr. Joseph Srambical VC |
Mission, Social and Charitable Works |
Paul Tharakan VC |
Finance and Construction |
Fr. John Mangalath VC |
Provincial Secretary |
Address |
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Marymatha Provincial House, P.B. No. 1, Angamaly South, 683 573, Kerala, India. |
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Tel: 0484 2452336, 2457890 (Provincial), 2453547 (Fax) |
E-mail: marymathavc@gmail.com |
URL : www.vincentians.in |
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Consultative Body |
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Dept. of Formation |
Fr. Chelapurath James & Fr. Panachimoottil Jose |
Dept. of Retreats & Pastoral Work |
Fr. Panackal George & Fr. Eattikattil Derbin |
Dept. of Social Work & Mission |
Fr. Palatty Martin & Fr. Kaithakalam Joby |
Dept. of Education & Media |
Fr. Punnassery Tomy & Fr. Ananad Yalla |
Dept. of Finance & Construction |
Frs. Jose Pazheveettil & George Puthuparambil |
Directors of Popular Mission |
Fr. Ettikattil Derbin (Kerala) |
Internal Auditor of Accounts |
Fr. Menachery Varghese & Fr. Varakath John |
Director of Social Works |
Fr. Perinchery Varghese |
Coordinator of Regency |
Fr. Pottayil George (India) & Fr. Marottipara Sanoj (East Africa) |
Legal Cell of the Province: |
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Secretary to the Provincial Superior |
Fr. Onattu Kuriakose |
St. Joseph Province
ST. JOSEPH PROVINCE |
|
Provincial Superior |
|
Fr. Kakkattupillil Mathew |
(Provincial Administration, Recruitment, Formation, Community Life & Auditing) |
Councilors |
|
Fr. Nellinilkumthadathil Vincent |
Asst. Provincial Superior & Mission, Social and Charitable Works |
Fr. Kaipadakunnel Joseph |
Popular Mission, Retreats and Pastoral Work |
Fr. Karikilamattathil Antony |
Education and Media |
Fr. Puthentharayil Innocent |
Finance and Construction |
Fr. Kaipadakunnel Joseph |
Provincial Secretary |
Address |
|
Vincentian Provincial House, S.H. Mount P.O., Kottayam, 686 006, Kerala, India |
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Tel: 8078736547 |
Email: vincentiansjp @ gmail.com |
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Consultative Body |
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Dept. of Formation |
Fr. Moonupeedikackal Antony & Fr. Poonattu George |
Dept. of Retreats & Pastoral Work |
Fr. Ottalangal Mathew & Fr. Xavier Antony Samy |
Dept. of Social Work & Mission |
Fr. Parekattil Varghese & |
Dept. of Education & Media |
Fr. Kizhakkethottam Joseph & Fr. Pulickan Varghese |
Dept. of Finance & Construction |
Fr. Thachethukudy Antony & |
Directors of Popular Mission |
Fr. Kaipadakunnel Joseph (Malayalam) & Fr. Edward Raj (Tamil) |
Internal Auditor of Accounts |
Fr. Thachethukudy Antony & |
Coordinator of Regency |
Fr. Cheruvil Thomas |
Legal Cell of the Province |
Fr. Thundathikunnel Sebastian |
Secretary to the Provincial Superior |
Fr. Karingattuparambil Antony |
ST. THOMAS PROVINCE
ST. THOMAS PROVINCE |
|
Provincial Superior |
|
Fr. Varghese (Joshy Paul) Kottackal |
Provincial Administration, Recruitment, Formation, Community Life & Auditing |
Councilors |
|
Fr. Mathew Vattakuzhy |
Asst. Provincial Superior, Mission, Social and Charitable Works |
Fr. Sebastian Kalluvelil |
Popular Mission, Retreats and Pastoral Work |
Fr. Martin Valiyaparambil |
Education and Media |
Fr. Sebastian Kallath |
Finance and Construction |
Fr. Mathew Vattakuzhy |
Provincial Secretary |
Address |
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St. Thomas Provincial House, Ujwa P.O., 110 073, New Delhi, India. |
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Mob: 9821423422 |
E-mail: stvcdelhi@gmail.com |
Consultative Body |
|
Dept. of Recruitment & Formation |
Fr. Varghese (Joshy) Kottackal (Convener) |
Dept. of Retreats, Popular Mission & Pastoral Work |
Fr. Sebastian Kalluvelil (Convener) |
Dept. of Social Work & Mission |
Fr. Mathew Vattakuzhy (Convener) |
Dept. of Education & Media |
Fr. Martin Valiyaparambil (Convener) |
Dept. of Finance & Construction |
Fr. Sebastian Kallath (Convener) |
Director of Popular Mission |
Fr. Sebastian Kalluvelil |
Director of Social Work |
Fr. Varghese Palatty |
Coordinator of Regency |
Fr. Joseph Muthirakalayil |
Internal Auditor of Accounts |
Fr. John Paul Thottungal |
Legal Cell of the Province: |
Fr. Sebastian Kallath |
Secretary to the Provincial Superior |
Fr. Joseph Kallarackal |
Regional Administration
REGIONAL ADMINISTRATION |
|
01. GOOD SHEPHERD REGION [MM] |
|
Regional Superior |
Fr. Jose Kannampally VC |
Councilors |
|
Fr. George Njavally VC |
Vicar |
Fr. Yalla Anand Kumar VC |
Secretary |
Address |
|
Vincentian Ashram, Chinna Avutapalli, Krishna Dt., 521286, A.P., India. |
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E mail: goodshepherdvc@gmail.com |
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02. SACRED HEART REGION [MM] |
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Regional Superior |
Fr. George (Biju) Moonjely VC |
Councilors |
|
Fr. George (Joby) Kocholickal VC |
Vicar |
Fr. Antony (Biju) Valliparambil VC |
Secretary |
Address |
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Vincentian Fathers, P.O. Box 25158 – 00603, Lavington, Nairobi, Kenya, East Africa. |
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Tel: 00254 726822406 |
E mail: shregion@gmail.com |
URL: www.vphnairobi.org |
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3. ST. XAVIER'S REGION [SJ] |
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Regional Superior |
Fr. Vettaparambil George |
Councilors |
|
Fr. Thoyalil Thomas |
Vicar |
Fr. Thakarappillil Varghese |
Secretary |
Address |
|
Vincentian Ashram, Logos Nagar, 29 Mallappa Layout, Horamavu P.O.,Babusahib Palaya, Bengaluru - 560113, Karnataka, India. |
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Tel: 080 25603252, 25603748 |
E mail: vcxavierregion@yahoo.co.in |
Mission Administration
MISSION ADMINISTRATION |
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01. ST. PAUL MISSION [MM] |
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Mission Superior |
Fr. John Hebic Edapally VC |
Councilors |
|
Fr. Joseph (Saji) Avangattu VC |
Vicar |
Fr. Mathew (Aby) Arackal VC |
Secretary |
Address |
|
Tel: 0241 2551241 |
E-mail: stpaulmissionvc@gmail.com |
02. CHRISTU JYOTHI MISSION - U.P. [ST] |
|
Mission Superior |
Fr. Velamparambil Paul (Sibi) VC |
Councilors |
|
Fr. Kolenchery Thomas VC |
Vicar |
Fr. Poonoly Sebastian VC |
Secretary |
Address |
|
Vincentian House, Police Lines Chowraha, Civil Line, Budaun, Uttar Pradesh, India-24361 |
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Tel: 0521 2256010 |
E mail: christujyothiupvc@gmail.com |
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03. JAI YESU MISSION – M.P. [ST] |
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Mission Superior |
Fr. Sebastian Nechimyalil |
Councilors |
|
Fr. Charls Kurrisseril |
Vicar |
Fr. Joseph Thonakkara |
Secretary |
Address |
|
Vincentian House, Padra, Rewa, Madhya Pradesh 486001, India |
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E Mil: jaiyesumission@gmail.com |
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04. DIVINE MERCY MISSION–NORTH EAST [ST] |
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Mission Superior |
Fr. Varghese Karingen |
Councilors |
|
Fr. Joseph Palatty |
Vicar |
Fr. Kochappilly Sebastian |
Secretary |
Address: |
|
Vincentian House, Margherita PO, Tinsukia Dt. ,Assam – 786181 |
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Email: divinemercymisson2019@gmail.com |
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05. ST. MOTHER TERESA MISSION [SJ] |
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Mission Superior |
Fr. Abraham Mundackal |
Councilors |
|
Fr. George Arackal Jr. |
Vicar |
Fr. James Ottalath |
Secretary |
Address |
|
Vincentian Ashram, Jalalkhali P. O., 741 102, Nadia Dt., West Bengal, India |
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Mob. 0091 9333056626 |
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06. ST. VINCENT MISSION [MM] |
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Mission Superior |
Fr. Thomas Ettiyil VC |
Councillors |
|
Fr. Joseph Elavuthingal |
Vicar |
Fr. Paulose (Santhosh) Moolan |
Secretary |
Address |
|
Divine Retreat Centre, Khetri P.O., 782 403, Nalgadera Village, Kamrup Dt., Guwahati, Assam, India. |
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Mob: 0091 8752089127 |