Page 18 - Microsoft Word - My story of Pathyil Kalluvelil as told by Joseph Pathyil

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and persuade Kunjittiavira to get up and walk with him a little while. He enjoyed travels
and needed very little excuse, and very little money to undertake a journey. With kith and
kin near and far, it was an easy decision for him to go where the spirit moved him. He
traveled light, and had very little personal preferences of food and shelter. And he was
always welcome in all households. All of his children, his many nephews and nieces and
others looked forward to his occasional visits with great joy, and Uthup’s presence was
never seen as an intrusion or an imposition. The three brothers had been close to each
other both physically and emotionally. Circumstances beyond their control brought
irritants in the harmony between the eldest and the youngest brother. It was Uthup’s
constant effort to heal the rift. In 1960, when public healing took place, Uthup was the
most pleased with the reconciliation. After the death of his elder brother, Uthup became
very close to Kunjittiavira, with whom he held long, slow, and leisurely conversations.
These were more communions than chats. They needed each other’s company. Uthup
took the experimentations and novel ideas of his younger brother in stride. There were
never any value judgement or condemnation or evaluation. They accepted each other as
they were. When in March 1975 Uthup breathed his last, his brother predicted that he
would follow him in a few months - which he did. The lasting legacy of Uthup is in the
hearts of the hundreds of people whom he touched by his compassion and consideration.
His was the life of the good and loving servant who, at death, would be invited to the
heavenly bliss after having served his master so faithfully.

Achamma was an interesting contrast to Uthup. She knew her mind, and was determined
in her ways. She had a quick wit and a rapier tongue. While she was devoted to her
husband and children, she brooked no nonsense. She held on to her personal space,
however small it was. Achamma was a shrewd judge of character. Wherever she went,
she brought life and joy and laughter. She too was fond of travelling. Her priest-son in
Tellicherry looked forward to his mother’s visit, as did her cloistered daughter. Lack of
knowledge of languages and customs and geography did not restrict her travels in any
way. She was fearless in going among strangers, and always managed to make new
friends and acquaintances. She too, like her husband, relied on divine Providence . They
both entrusted their lives and that of their children to the will of God. That was probably
the secret of their success. After gracefully outliving her husband and her in laws,
Achamma passed away peacefully in 1993. It was a full life that she had lived, spanning
almost a century. She had seen great sorrow and great joy. Her youngest son had died of
cancer; several tragedies in the family had to be suffered. She endured them all, and was
always resilient. One of her sons was a priest, and two of her daughters were nuns. Others
eventually did well for themselves, and several have their children in America. Achamma
lived through all those tumultuous years, experiencing both joys and sorrows.

Their eldest daughter –Anna- died soon after birth. The next daughter, Mary, born on
October 17, 1913, joined the Visitation Convent in 1931, and took the name of Sr.
Nicholas, to remember her late aunt in the same Congregation. Sister Nicholas has been a
pious and holy nun, given to obedience and willing to do what was asked of her always.
Her younger sister Annamma was given in marriage to Chacko Manimala, who was a
very successful educator in Sacred Heart Mount High School, Kottayam, until he retired
as Head Master of St. Mary’s High School, Kidangore. Their children are successfully

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