Fr. Zacharias Kanjooparampil C.Ss.R. (1939 – 2019) was born to Mr. Chandy Kanjooparmbil and Mariyamma Chandy in Chennamkary, a parish of the Arch Diocese of Changanassery, Kerala, India on January 28, 1939. Even as a child he has revealed immense faith and dependence on the divine providence. Having seen the traces of vocation in the boy the parish priest asked him to join the seminary. He took this invitation seriously and joined the Redemptorists in 1955. He made his First Profession in 1957 August 02, after completing his Novitiate at Bangalore. Through the Perpetual Profession he committed himself fully to the Lord on August 02, 1960.
He was ordained a Priest by His Grace Bp. David Maria Nayagam, the Bishop of Velloor on August 29, 1964. His fervent missionary zeal guided him to learn the Tamil language and work as a missionary among the interior villages of Tamil Nadu. Having seen his zeal to accomplish the tasks given to him, the Superiors asked him to initiate a Redemptorist community for the Syro Malabar Church at Chowara, Alwaye.
He was later called upon by the then Bishop of Thakalay Diocese Mar George Alenchery, who welcomed him to work among the Tamil people in his South Indian Diocese. As always Fr. Zach obliged willingly to this challenging mission and worked vehemently for the poor in the diocese. His dedicated service was appreciated by the CBCI (Catholic Bishops Conference of India), when they appointed him as the Spiritual Director of St. Johns Medical College, Bangalore. He served as the parish priest in Madhura, Hyderabad, Trivandrum and Bangalore. His selfless service was rendered in formation as well, especially at Chowara and Podiamattam, generations of young Redemptorist vouch for his fraternal love and unquenching affection towards the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer. He was a hard worker and an ever obliging missionary to his Superiors. This was evident when he volunteered to go to England as the chaplain of More Hall Convent, Randewick, England.
He was diagnosed with cancer in February 2019 and was under treatment from Rajagiri Hospital, Alwyae. On July 08, 2019 he was admitted to Vimala Hospital, Kanjoor for the palliative care. He passed away on July 18, 2019 at 10.30 P.M. Until he breathed his last he was conscious and his Passover was very peaceful. His body was brought to the community at Chowara, where he was assigned as a member and the funeral ceremony was presided over by Cardinal George Alenchery, the Major Arch Bishop of the Syro Malabar Church.
We are proud to say that we have lived with a true Redemptorist Missionary who had little demands in his Missionary journey, always took care of his confreres and sought after by them even when he was confined to his bed.
Time Line of Fr. Zacharias Kanjkooparampil C.Ss.R.
Parish of Origin: St. Joseph’s Church, Chennamkary
Diocese of Origin: Changanassery
Joined Redemptorists : 1955
Year of Novitiate: 1956
First Profession: August 02, 1957
Philosophy, Theology: 1957 – 1964
Perpetual Profession: August 02, 1960
Ordination: August 29, 1964
Ordaining Bishop: Rt. Rev. David Marianayagam, Bishop of Vellor
Communities lived in and the years in each Community
1964 – 1968 – Bangalore
1968 – 1978 – Madurai
1978 – 1980 – Bolarum
1980 – 1981 – Bangalore
1981 – 1984 – Chowara
1984 – 1987 – Bangalore
1987 – 1991 – Chowara
1991 – 1994 – Muttada
1994 – 1998 – Podimattam
1998 – Erumapetty (Parish)
1999 – 2002 – Podimattam
2002 – 2003 – Sri Lanka
2003 – 2004 – Karavaloor
2004 – 2005 – Sri Lanka
2005 – 2006 – Podimattam
2006 – 2008 – Parish in Marapady, Thuckalay Diocese (Attached to Provincial House)
2008 – 2011 – St. John’s, Bangalore
2011 – 2017 – More Hall Convent, Randewick, England
2017 – 2019 – Chowara
Offices Held and the years of these Offices
Parish Priest and the Director of the School in Bolarum : 1978 – 1980
Holy Ghost, Bangalore : 1980-81, 1984-87
Chowara Rector, Director : 1981-1984; 1987-1990
Parish Priest, St. Mary’s Church Chinnathura : 1993-94
Asst. Parish Priest, Erumapetty (Trichur Diocese) : 1998
EVPC Member : 1999 – 2002
Rector, Podimattam : 2001-2002
Parish Priest of Marapady : 2006 – 2008
Sp. Director of St. John’s Bangalore : 2008-2011
More Hall Convent, Randewick, England : 2011 – 2017