Joseph Vithayathil

Father Joseph Vithayathil began his ministry as an assistant vicar at St. Anthony's Church in Ollur. Very quickly, he distinguished himself by his burning love for the Eucharist, spending long hours in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. In 1902, by order of his bishop, Mar John Menachery (Vicar Apostolic of Thrissur), he was sent to a young mystic from the parish of Puthenchira, Mariam Thresia Chiramel Mankidiyan (the future saint). She was the subject of extraordinary mystical phenomena (visions, ecstasies, stigmata) but also suffered violent diabolical attacks. In order to discern the origin of these manifestations, Father Joseph was tasked with performing several exorcisms on her between 1902 and 1905. Convinced of her profound holiness and heroic humility, he became her spiritual director starting on April 30, 1902, a duty he would fulfill until the saint's death in 1926. On the bishop's instructions, Father Joseph asked Mariam Thresia to write the account of her life from childhood, which would give rise to her precious Autobiographical Notes (covering her life until 1905). He actively supported Mariam Thresia in her desire to lead a life of prayer and service. In 1913, he had the "House of Solitude" (Ekanthabhavan) built at his own expense in Puthenchira, where the saint settled with three companions. On May 14, 1914, Mar John Menachery canonically erected this community as the Congregation of the Holy Family (CHF). Mariam Thresia was appointed its superior, and Father Joseph Vithayathil became its co-founder and chaplain. After the death of Saint Mariam Thresia on June 8, 1926, Father Joseph took full responsibility for the direction and administration of the young congregation. He guided the institute with paternal solicitude until the formation of its first general council in 1942. Under his leadership, the congregation grew, opened new houses, welcomed new members, and secured the support of benefactors. Concerned with the social and economic advancement of young girls, he also founded a vocational school in 1929 in Kuzhikkattussery to teach them sewing, weaving, and knitting. The sisters and the faithful affectionately called him "Pithavu" (Father).

Father Joseph Vithayathil passed away on June 8, 1964, in Kuzhikkattussery, in the Thrissur district (Kerala), at the age of 98. By a remarkable spiritual coincidence, he died on the exact anniversary of the death of Saint Mariam Thresia (who died on June 8, 1926). He was buried in Kuzhikkattussery, in the immediate vicinity of the tomb of the saintly foundress. His reputation for holiness and his pastoral zeal led the Eparchy of Irinjalakuda to introduce his cause for canonization. On May 18, 2004, under the pontificate of Saint John Paul II, the Congregation for the Causes of Saints granted the Nihil Obstat, officially bestowing upon him the title of Servant of God. The eparchial inquiry into his life and virtues was opened on September 1, 2004, and closed on September 15, 2007.

On December 14, 2015, Pope Francis authorized the promulgation of the decree recognizing the heroic nature of his virtues, thereby declaring him Venerable. This major step was solemnly celebrated in Kuzhikkattussery during a liturgy presided over by Cardinal George Alencherry, Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church. The cause is currently underway, awaiting the recognition of a miracle attributed to his intercession to pave the way for his beatification.

The spirituality of Father Joseph Vithayathil was deeply Eucharistic. He spent long hours in adoration and in 1948 initiated the Forty Hours' Adoration in the chapel of the congregation's motherhouse, using a monstrance that is still kept there. His ministry was marked by an absolute trust in Divine Providence, filial obedience to the Church, and tireless dedication to the spiritual and social renewal of families. His legacy endures through the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Thrissur, which today has nearly 3,000 members and has spread not only in India, but also in Europe (Germany, Italy), Africa (Ghana, Kenya, South Sudan), and America. He remains a model of spiritual discernment and pastoral accompaniment for priests and spiritual directors.