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MATHECKAL FAMILY JOURNAL - A REFERENCE MANUAL( AD 1788- 2013) By MATHECKAL KUDUMBAM November 26, 2014 AD 2013: 225th Birth Anniversary of Mathunni Matheckal (A Tribute to The Patriarch of Matheckal Family, Arakuzha) MATHECKEL FAMILY JOURNAL - A REFERENCE MANUAL (AD 1788 - 2013) To read Matheckal Family Journal online in English and Malayalam and access Database visit website: www.matheckalfamily.org But the hour will come - in fact it is here already - when true worshippers will worship the Father in sprit and truth: this is the kind of worshipper the Father wants. God is spirit, and those who worship must worship in spirit and truth - John 4:23-24 MATHECKAL FAMILY JOURNAL - A REFERENCE MANUAL (AD 2013) (ON THE 225TH BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF ITS FOUNDER MATHUNNI MATHECKEN) I am the Vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me, with me in him, bears fruit in plenty; for cut off from me you can do nothing . Remain in my love.- (John 15: 5-6, 10) Acknowledgement Matheckal Family Journal - A Reference Manual (1788-2013) has seen the light of the day due to the collective contribution of several persons who patronised by way of providing sources of data, update of data, clear cut guidelines and policies in formu- lating the purpose,content, historical perspectives to meet the contemporary needs of perpection-a pristine understanding to foresee the aspirational needs of the future gen- erations of the Mathackal families to enable them evolve an appropriate roadmap for themselves . A comprehensive data base of the Matheckal family and a family website is a reality today. www.matheckalfamily.org .It has been designed, tested and created to bring out a fulfledged latest family journal and a family directory beginning from AD 1788.This website with a data base was hosted on July 25,2013. The Matheckal family website has its history in Malayalam and English, a menu driven search button for access to history of every member, full list of Matheckans from AD 1788, list of priests and religious nuns and a family directory of members from AD 1788. All these are available by a click on the mouse in the Matheckal family website. The family website, thus,complements and completes the synergy and the fusion of the print media with the digital into the making of the history of the Matheckans relevant for the present and the future. Papal Blessing forms the soul and grace of this family journal. Therefore,the first and foremost acknowledgement and thanks goes to those persons who were instrumental for receiving the Papal Blessing from our Holy Father Pope Francis for the Matheckal family members. The acknowledgement and grateful thanks goes to Sr.Susan Math- eikal FMM and Sr.Diana Matheikal MSJ whose idea it was and from where all this began.They are the ideators and motivators for the making this Family Journal as well. The next round of applause and thanks goes to Thressiamma of Onatt, Sr.Flowert CSN and Fr.Sooraj Pittappillil(son of Thressiamma Onatt) who actualized the idea of ob- taining the Papal blessing into a reality for the Kudumbayogam in May 2013. Contribution of the following persons are acknowledged with grateful thanks for their i ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT contributions to the earlier publications - Matheckal Kudumbam - A History in AD 1992 and Padamudrakal in 1998: Fr.Luke Njarlakattu (1886), Late Fr.J. Marcel CMI, Late Fr.John Matheikan,Prof.Sunny Matheikal, Matheikal Chacko Mathew (Mathaikunju), Dr.Joy Matheiken, Sr. Gemma CSN, MG Peter (Sunny) Matheikal. Contribution of the following persons is acknowledged with grateful thanks with re- spect to their constant encouragement,support,various guidelines, policies and facilita- tion in the making of this Journal: Matheikal Chacko Mathew ( Mathaikunj),Arakuzha; Prof.Sonny(Thomas Mathew) Matheikal, Sr.Susan Matheikal FMM,Chennai, K.K. John Matheckal Kannathukuzhy, Arakuzha; Sr. Diana Matheikal MSJ,UK , Emmanuel Thomas Matheikal and, Fr.Jose Kannathukuzhy MST, Matheckal Kalliyel-MKL. Contribution of the Matheckal Kudumbam Committee is acknowledged with grateful thanks with respect to their constant encouragement, support for the preparation and publication of the Matheikal Family Journal 2013 and the hosting of the Matheckal Family Website. President - Binoy Jose Mathekal Akantiryil (A529) Vice President- Jose Matheikal(T) Alappat Knakuzhy, Arikuzha (A803) Secretary - Jobin Matheckal Kannathukuzhy (A281) Jt.Secretary - Jose Matheckal Kalliyel (A091) Treasurer - Santosh Sunny Matheikal Thekkumalayil (A554) Members: Rajesh Mathew Matheikal Erthadathil (A611) Roy Kurian Matheikal Thazhatheveetil (A634) Thankachan(Jose KV) Matheckal Valummel (A237) Dally Pius Matheikal Thekkumalayil (A429) Sherly Francis Matheikal Thazhathekolembel (A486) Tony Joseph Matheikal Lakkot (A596) Johnny Thomas Matheckal Peringallingal (A183) Emmanuel Thomas Matheckal Vilayanickal (A502) Sunny Matheikal Lakkot Koniyekallungal (A450). Acknowledgement and thanks goes to Jomy Jose Matheckal Erthadathil for obtain- ing the message from the Bishop of Kothamangalam Eparchy. Grateful thanks goes to John Cherukulam Maniatt and Kuriachen P Thomas of Cheruku- lam Njaralakkat for providing a copy of the History of the Cherukulam Family as one of the main sources of reference and guidance. Matheckal Kudumbam Group in Facebook is the drive which led to the value ad- dition and completion of this family journal.So thanks and acknowledgement goes to George Joseph Matheikal who created this social networking group and the team of Jobin George,Josin Joby,Minnu Jose,Shibu,Elsa Maria Francis,Roshni George and An- gel Matheikal who added over 100 Matheckans to Facebook. The design, layout and compilation of the Matheckal Family Journal is due to the documentation compiler software and support of training by Philip John(Pramod Ja- cob) Mathecken who along with Paul George (Pratap Jacob) Matheckan and Tina Ryan,Sr.Susan and Sr.Diana encouraged the writing of the journal from the very be- ginning.The latter two cited how family history writing is being taken very seriously and passionately in countries all over and where people travel continents in search of iii their geneology and ancestors. The design,creation of the vast digital data base and directory of members of the Matheckal family is due to the combined efforts of Santosh Sunny Matheikal, Emmanuel Thomas Matheikal and Jacob Mathecken. The work of website design, content develop- ment,content translation and retelling of family journal is done by Jacob Mathecken with active support, guidance and facilitation at every step by Prof.Sonny(Mathew) Math- eikal and Mathaikunj Matheckal Akantiriyil who provided timely historical perspectives and validations. The website has links to Matheckal Kudumbam on Facebook, Catholic radio stations across the globe(the Malayalam Sehion and Luminous Radio stations are accessible )and a link to online study from various universities for further learning in one’s subject. Language editing, proof reading changes and finesse are by Leela Jacob. The list could go on.Suffice to say there are over fifty other Matheckal family members who motivated and provided positve strokes and this work is dedicated to all Matheck- ans as a tribute to our Patriarch Mathunni Karanavar on his 225 th birth anniversary. Jacob Mathecken(Baby) PIN A829 MC:M46Y5YJ0870829A773 November 26, 2014 Contents Acknowledgement i Preface vii Introduction xi Prologue xv I THE CARAVAN BEGINS 1 1 Journey to The Roots 3 2 Syrian Christians-Profile Practices 13 3 Basics To Know 17 4 Metamorphosis to Cherukulam 27 II THECARAVANMOVESON 39 5 Metamorphosis to Matheckal 41 6 Matheckal Kottoor 47 7 Matheckal Kannathukuzhy 49 8 Matheckal Koniyekallungal 67 9 Matheckal Matheckal 91 III THECARAVANLOOKSAHEAD 107 10 Matheckal Bedtime Stories 109 11 The Journey Ahead:Future 149 12 Statistical Profile 155 v vi CONTENTS Fun Learning- Exercise 1 Healing Prayer Of the Family Tree 23 Epilogue 25 Bibliography 1 TABLES 3 Preface Making of the Matheckal Family Journal While commemorating the 225th birth anniversary of our Patriarch, Mathunni Math- eckal, it may be mentioned that the history of the Matheckal family was written first in Malayalam by Sonny T Matheckal and published in April 1992 by Mathew C. Math- eckal. The narrative in Malayalam is largely indebted to the contributions of several persons by way of providing relevant records, documents, other supportive material and interviews in the buildup of the history of the Matheckal family. The first reference to the Matheckal family was found in the family history of the Cherukulam family written by Fr.Luke Njarlakkatt and this book provided the stimuli for a thoroughly researched publication of the Matheckal family.Late Fr.Mathew Math- eckal and late Fr.John Matheckal along with Sonny T Matheckal, Sunny Peter, Mathew C Matheckal and others were instrumental in the collection of records, documents, jour- nals and dairies of earlier priests and religious of Matheckal families in the construction of various events and historical facts. The search for the genealogy of the Matheckal family, its identification and traceabil- ity to its root family was largely possible due to the efforts of Fr. Luke Njarlakkatt, the history of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate,the Kerala Sabha Charitram and other publications which were available at that time. The journey of the Matheckal family’s search for its roots presents a vivid reading and enables the reader to visualize this journey into the time capsule like a well documented cinematic script for an experiential literary visual treat. The language and the narrative reflected the writing style prevalent in the 1950s. The design, layout and sequence of the history need to be lauded. History of the Matheckal family published in Malayalam is one of the best designed sequenced work and can be considered to be on par with any well researched publication. It is notable for its brevity of words too, punctuated with subtle humour, fun and some preg- nant meanings specially when sensitive events or persons were referred to - some things are best said when unsaid , as the saying goes.