Director
The new Captian of SD
Msgr George Valliarumpeth
Fr. George Valliarumpeth , the new captain destined to steer the Congregation of SD was endowed with the same spirit and magnanimity of its Founder Venerable Fr.Varghese Payapilly. He was the most responsible and apt person to carry out this mission entrusted to him by God through the legitimate ecclesiastical authority. In submission to the Will of God, he took charge of the newly assigned responsibility on 28 October 1929. In the persons of her Founder and her newly appointed Director SD had the same ecclesial experience inherent in the words of Saint Paul “I planted, Apollo watered, but God gave the growth” (1 Cor. 3:6).
The life of Fr.George Valliarumpeth was deeply rooted in faith and love received in baptism. His consciousness of the abiding presence of the Holy Trinity influenced him deeply. So with his baptismal name George, he suffixed ‘George of the Holy Trinity. He solemnized the feast of the Holy Trinity with elaborate preparations with novena. He inspired and encouraged the sisters to get deepened in faith in the Triune God.
He was also an ardent devotee of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, of Holy Mary and of St.Joseph. The seeds of these devotions, especially to St.Joseph, which had been sown in the hearts of the Sisters by the Founder were nurtured and fostered by the new Director Fr. George Valliarumpeth. He had preferential concern and love for the poor. He used to qualify them as the ‘poor of Jesus.’ He instilled in the Sisters the ideal that the needs of the poor are to be considered first.
He had a large heart that could encompass everyone. The sisters addressed him with the affectionate title Valliachan. He was capable of and vigilant in imparting Christ-centered love to all and to deal with them impartially. He encouraged the Sisters to maintain this selfless and serene demeanour in their reciprocal interpersonal relationship. The innocent love of Valliachan for the Sisters during his 41 year long stewardship as their Spiritual Father and Director made him unforgettable, beloved and venerable.
Valliachan brought up the Sisters to grow mature in Christ without ever losing the sanctity of consecrated life. The life,instruction and teachings of the Director inspired the Sisters to lead a holy life with burning zeal and clarity of vision.He took great pain to treat each person warmly, be it an outsider or insider. He was a man of asceticism and self control by which he developed a mature personality. He enabled also the sisters to attain maturity in their personal life.
He could accomplish the over all growth of the Congregation with his personal experience gained through his self sacrificing efforts in every field. Using his God given and acquired talents he gave efficient leadership and wise direction to SD. He trained the Sisters to render dedicated and service oriented leadership in submission to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and in the freedom of the children of God. He invited personnel of high rank like ecclesiastical and civil authorities, heads of Religious institutions etc. to the Home for the Aged, and accorded dignity to each one according to his rank. The way he rendered humble service to the other, anticipating each one’s need gave inspiration and example to the Sisters in the service of authority. He trained them to make adequate preparations well in advance of the arrival of an invited guest, to plan their program in advance, to make arrangements for their meals, and to set everything ready for their stay and accommodation. This testifies his humanness, concern, hospitality and punctuality. The nobility latent in the Congregation of SD is a special characteristic feature derived first from the Founder and then from the Director Valliarumpeth Valliachan. An astute man of principle, Fr. Valliarumpeth was also appointed the Vicar General of the Archdiocese in 1936, along with being the Director and Spiritual Father of SD and of the Home for the Aged. But he faithfully and meticulously carried out all the assignments entrusted to. Even when he was stationed at Ernakulam as Vicar General, he continued to take keen interest in the affairs of Chunangamvely. Even amidst his busy undertakings he made it a point never to miss his regular talks and exhortation on the day of monthly recollection.
Under the innovative and able leadership of the Director SD surged on. Many elderly persons came seeking refuge in the Home for the destitute. So anew building had to be erected to accommodate them. He sought ways and means to manage the Institute with its growing strength, including possibilities to increase agricultural income, to secure Govt. subsidy to the Institute, availability of doctors and medical help from the Govt. Hospital in Aluva, and seeking assistance from prominent persons.
At the same time more accommodation facilities were made as the number of members of the Congregation was increasing. Preparations and arrangements for an intense novitiate for the Sisters were made in consultation with the Archbishop, with a view to giving them a Christ centered, person oriented and integral formation in accordance with its particular charism. The Director Msgr. George Valliarumpeth always insisted on the Sisters to live in a family spirit renouncing every vested interest. He trained them to hold everything in common in the spirit of poverty, to keep only with permission whatever was necessary and to depend upon common supply for additional requirements. He did not hesitate to send away anyone who was found unfit for religious life. Whenever he noted any mistakes, undesirable attitudes or deeds in anyone he was very careful to correct them with paternal affection.
The first members of SD after finishing their canonical novitiate for one year and with proper spiritual preparation made their first profession of vows during the Eucharistic celebration officiated by the Archbishop Mar Augustine Kandathil at Aluva St. Mary’s School Hall on 3 July 1932. Thus the first members of SD consecrated their lives as burnt offering in response to the Merciful Love of God.
With the permission of the Archbishop it was decided to send two Sisters to Bangalore to make them proficient in serving the sick by gaining technical scientific expertise. On 8 August 1932 Msgr. Valliarumpeth personally esocrted them to Bangalore to admit them to St. Martha’s hospital for Nursing studies.
Msgr.George Valliarumpeth retired from his office as Vicar General on 15 June 1945 and returned to Chunangamvely. In addition to being the Director of the Institute, he was also appointed chaplain and novice master of SD. He continued as the Spiritua Director of Sisters until his death. As a result SD received from him a well grounded spirituality, community life and service to the neighbour as priceless gift of the Merciful love of God. He was always keen to arrange Courses, classes and retreats for the Sisters to foster their spiritual growth and to help them grow in holiness, receiving proper spiritual guidance. Wherever the Sisters were they continued receiving spiritual direction from him. The feast day of Valliachan was celebrated every year on 23 April. This good practice continued until his death. SD always considered celebrations as opportunities for coming together to foster oneness, interpresonal relationship and family spirit of the Sisters.
On 31 July 1968, Msgr.George Vaiiarumpeth was diagnosed with cancer. He was taken to CMC Hospital in Vellore for more scientific examination and better treatment. He was subjected to surgery and was administered radiation therapy at Trivandrum. He spent the period of his recuperation at the Samaritan Hospital, Pazhanganad. Many of his relatives and acquaintances including bishops, priests, and civil officials came to visit him at the hospital. Even amidst his critical condition, he used to welcome everyone with a smile. As his condition was getting worse, Fr.Joseph Chakkiath offered Holy Mass at his bedside and administered viaticum. The courageous Valliarumpeth Valliachan, strengthened by the last prayers that he received with an alert mind, surrendered his spirit to the Heavenly Father at 1.30 pm on 11 May 1970, at the age of 79.
He was laid at state at Chunangamvely Chapel. There was concelebrated High Mass on 11 and 12 May 1970 presided over by Mar Sebastian Mankuzhikary, and Mar A. D. Mattam. Mar Matthew Pothanamuzhy delivered the funeral oration on 12 May in the backdrop of his personal acquaintance with Msgr. Valliarumpeth. The funeral procession was taken down as far as the parish church. Accompanied by the bereaved Sisters and a huge throng of faithful, his mortal remains were taken to the cemetery. A short homily was given by Mar Mankuzhikary and he conducted the last rites. Thus, Valliarumpeth Valliachan was buried in the specially prepared tomb at the cemetery of SD at Chunangamvely in the presence of about 4000 people.
As Director Msgr.George Valliarumpeth enabled the Congregation to probe into the depths of its founding charism and to build up a strong bond of communal fraternity for through his holistic training for 41 years. His spiritual vision is always a powerful inspiration and a source of guidance to the Congregation.