Mar Jacob Thoomkuzhy is a retired Archbishop of Syro Malabar Catholic Church in Kerala. This year he celebrates the fiftieth Episcopal anniversary. In this context, a tour of his pastoral life would be very inspiring.
Archbishop Thoomkuzhy is acclaimed for his simple lifestyle and lofty spirituality. He is a man of God who reminds everyone, ‘Don’t forget to pray for me too’.
Even when his phone rings the Bishop takes the call with a silent prayer for the person at the other end. Even when asked to give an opinion or take a decision, his reply would be, ‘I’ll tell you after praying over it’. He has been deeply devoted to the Most Holy Eucharist and the Blessed Mother.
Archbishop Jacob Thoomkuzhy has become part of the history of the church in Kerala. He was the first bishop of the diocese of Mananthavady. He also served as the Metropolitan Archbishop of Thrissur. Archbishop Thoomkuzhy shares about his vocation and pastoral experiences with catholic news.in. :-
He was born on 13 December 1930, to Kurian and Rosa Thoomkuzhy, at Vilakkumadam in the Diocese of Pala. He had his early education in the school there. When he passed High School, he had a strong desire to join the seminary and become a priest. Accordingly, he joined the Minor Seminary in Changanassery where he was the youngest seminarian and nicknamed Benjamin. After two years of study in the minor seminary, he was sent to the Major Seminary in Alway for the study of Philosophy.
Priestly Ordination in Rome
He did his study of Theology in Rome and was ordained to the priesthood there on 22 December 1956. Those days it was rather difficult for family members to go from India and participate in such ceremonies.
Later, Father Jacob continued his studies in Rome for four more years and obtained a doctorate in Canon Law. So only after seven years, he came back to Kerala.
Back in Kerala Fr. Jacob Thoomkuzhy was assigned to be the Secretary to the Bishop and the Chancellor of the diocese of Tellicherry. Meantime he was also given temporary assignments in a few parishes.
He ministered to the people of God as a Good Shepherd; simplicity has been the hallmark of his lifestyle, and even his homilies have been very simple in style.
‘I can be a bishop if my Mother is with me’
The Diocese of Mananthavady was established on 1st May 1973 and Bishop Jacob Thoomkuzhy was consecrated and installed as the first bishop of the new diocese. It must have been a great challenge for him to have to lead a diocese in its infancy. In everything, he sought the patronage and help of the Blessed Mother. “All the worries and fears about becoming a bishop were solved with the help of Blessed Mother,” Bishop Thoomkuzhy recalls the beginning of his pastoral journey.
Bishop Thoomkuzhy through his life of simplicity and hard work laid a strong foundation for the new diocese and put in every effort to build up the diocese in all respects. He gave prime importance to prayer and proper pastoral care, and the people, mostly immigrants from other parts of Kerala, co-operated with him wholeheartedly. As a result, the diocese achieved remarkable growth and progress in every respect, especially in the areas of personnel, institutions and services. An increase in the number of parish communities, educational institutions, religious houses etc. is to be specially mentioned. The Bishop even founded a new religious congregation, named the Society of Kristhu Dasi (SKD).
After a commendable ministry in the Diocese of Mananthavady, Bishop Jacob Thoomkuzhy was transferred and appointed as the Bishop of the Diocese of Thamarassery. Later he was elevated to the position of Archbishop and appointed as the Metropolitan Archbishop of Thrissur which he continued until his retirement on 22nd January 2007. Everywhere, even at age of 91, his very presence and service spread great energy and holiness.
A Pastoral Message to Families
Archbishop Thoomkuzhy has a very clear vision of the importance of Family Life. “The family is the basic unit of the Church. The integrity of the Church depends upon the integrity of the families. The real spirit of love, mutual respect, and service has to be the hallmark of a good family. The decreasing number of children in the family and how the children are brought up have been matters of concern for Archbishop Thoomkuzhy. In the current situation, our children have many choices. Therefore, it is important that the children get proper guidance and formation early on. Hence evangelization of the family has to be very important. Families should own up to the responsibility to impart an interest in the younger generation for growing up in faith life, just as Church gives importance to families.
Unite in Prayer
Archbishop Thoomkuzhy’s life exposes how necessary it is to keep up an unbroken relationship with God all through one’s life. He loves to be in the presence of the Most Holy Eucharist. Together with that, this shepherd has a deep relationship with the Blessed Mother. He never took a decision without seeking God’s plan through prayer. Hence, those who are very intimate with him say that ‘he is a man of prayer’.
Commencement of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Episcopal Ordination
He celebrates the golden jubilee of his Episcopal Ordination during 2022-23.
“Whenever I heard about the golden jubilee in the past, I had doubts about whether it would happen in my life. But as I enter the fiftieth year of my Episcopal Ordination I am very much surprised. This is something very unusual. Therefore, I take it as God’s special mercy and blessing and carry on praising and thanking God. Now do whatever He asks you to do, I am praying and trying for that now. The motto given to the SKD Congregation is ‘Here is the servant of the Lord’. That is what I want to say about my life.  ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ The desire to love the Lord sincerely is so great. I want to be with him always seeking his plan for me.” These are his words which reveal his deep gratitude.
Archbishop Jacob Thoomkuzhy has been a God Shepherd, whose very life is a message. Being very active even at the age of 91 is possible only for those who have received God’s special blessing and grace. He has a great mind that finds elements of goodness in everyone he meets, remembers them, and gives expression to them very appropriately.
During this Golden Jubilee Year, let us pray for Archbishop Thoomkuzhy in a special way that many more things may be accomplished through those hands. From the ever-busy Archbishop, we learn that there is still a long way to go for the sake of Christ.
Congratulations on the golden jubilee of the consecration to Bishop Jacob Thoomkuzhy, who is the shining light of God’s love and embodies the Gospel of Christ in his life…!
Sunisha V.F.