Mr joseph vempeny Posted on : 24/02/2010 23:10:37

My Guru

Remembering my Guru

(This article by Prof. K M Mathew is submited by me, Joseph Vempeny with the permission of the writer.)

S. Kurien Vempeny, my teacher who was well known as an educator, writer and poet, orator as well as a guiding star in the field of religious education in Kerala - India, entered the well deserved bliss on 13 February 2010 at the age of 86. His body was laid to rest in the family tomb at Vettimukal parish cemetery the next day at a ceremony with Bishop Mar Joseph Kallarangat as the chief celebrant.

Among the prelates and priests who lead the prayers at home and in the church were bishops Mar Joseph Powathil, Mar Mathew Moolakkat, Mar George Valiyamattam, Mar Joseph Perumthottam, Mar Joseph Pallickapparampil, Mar Joseph Kallarangat, Mar George Alanchery, Mar Joseph Kunnath as well as Rev. Dr. Peter Thuruthikkonam. The crowd that attended the prayers and services included large numbers priests, nuns, public figures, colleagues, friends and disciples from all levels of life. Mar Mathew Moolakkat and Rev. Dr. Kurien Mattam delivered memorial talks in the house and Mar Joseph Kallarangat gave the talk in the church.

It is not easy to list the contributions of this great man to the Church, society and literature; they are numerous and priceless. His help to Bishop Vayalil in bringing out the latter’s Autobiography, ‘How Beautiful My Ways’ was really great. After serving as a teacher at S. M. V. Poonjaar, St. Mary’s Bharananganam, and St. Thomas Training School Pala, the service he rendered to the society in the next three decades is unparalleled.

Institutions like The State Institute of Education, several seminaries, diocesan centers of religious education and the Pastoral Orientation Center (P O C) Kochi had the privilege of having him as a teacher and the general editor of the religious education texts during this period. He was the guiding star of the Pala Religious Education Center. The religious education teachers of most of the dioceses across Kerala had been enlightened and inspired by his model classes skillfully laced with quotes, parables, stories and examples from the Bible.

Kurien Vempeny is the author of over 30 books in different branches of literature. He was the founder editor of the POC publication, TALENT. Recognizing the nature and grandeur of his work, he had been honored with several awards including the POC award for educators, Hadusa award of the Kottayam diocese and the AKCC award in the field of Religious Education. But much greater than all these is the honor he received and still receives from the hearts of his numerous disciples. His memory will always be shining brightly in the hearts of his disciples who include several bishops, priests, religious, college principals, professors, other teachers, prominent officers and public servants in various fields. Swami Purandarananda, one time head of Kaladi Sankaracharya Mat, got the inspiration to follow the spiritual path from a book given to him by his teacher Kurien Vempeny. While in Kerala, this Swamiji was a regular visitor at the Vempeny residence and Vempenysaar had invited me to meet Swamiji there.

His visionary work of renewal in the field of the religious education of the Catholic Church in Kerala, remodelling the traditional methods of teaching and making them dynamic and relevant to the changing times had been quite a contribution for generations to cherish.

At St. Mary’s H S Bharananganam where I was his pupil, Literary society activities at class level and school level were very active under his leadership. Kurien sar had no favourites among his pupils. He treated everyone with the same affection, in the same manner and like everyone else I too claimed that his love was all for me. The training he gave me personally in essay writing and elocution had come in very handy throughout my life. I can’t forget the toast he gave on his own accord, on the day of my wedding. I still remember with gratitude how he used to send small jokes for the evening news paper that I was editing. When my daughter was preparing for the school leaving exam he helped her by explaining to her the value points in Malayalam exam.

I have such sweet memories of this great man. I still picture him entering our class room dressed in pure white, wavy hair combed neatly to both sides. Taking a deep breath he would look around the whole room with a special, endearing smile and begin the lesson only after very brief, informal chat. His language classes were so interesting and enjoyed by everyone.

He was noted for a childlike purity of heart, a pleasantness that made everyone like him, an enchanting disposition of affection and a charisma that attracted everyone to him. A man of prayer, he was very concerned about the character formation, right upbringing and moral development of the students. He was one in a million.

The Alumni Association of St Mary’s High School , Bharananganam conducted a public meeting in the school auditorium to condole on the sad demise of beloved Kurian Vempeny. It was attended by a large gathering . His sons daughters and grandchildren also were present.

The meeting commenced with the observance of prayerful silence in respectful memory of Kurian Vempeny. Presided over by the Association President Anto Mankoottam, the meeting was inaugurated by Rev. Fr. Sebastian Mundumoozhikkara , the Manager of the School in which Kurian Vempeny rendered valuable service for twelve years .The Memorial Talk was given by Purandarananda Swamikal, explaining the spiritual inspiration given to him by Vempny sar.

The speakers included Jose Painikulam, Headmaster, Mathen Kalappura, former Headmaster, retired teachers Chacko C.Poriyath and A.C. Ittiavira, former students Jose Thengumpallil and Prof.K.M. Mathew (Rtd.). James Sebastian Chowattukunnel, Secretary of the Association, presented the Condolence Resolution.

Thankachan Vempeny announced the decision of the Vempeny family to launch a Trust to commemorate his father and proposed a hearty Vote of Thanks.

Prof . K .M . Mathew,

Chairman, HRD Trust, Pala