Remembering Cl. James Thuruthel

During Mass today, which was offered for the deceased members of the Province, four of the Priests shared their experiences with those no more. It was very moving. I share here something of what I learnt about Cl. James Thuruthel who died on May 20, 1989. It was a surprise for me to hear that Fr Palli was his close friend. Secondly that he was a very active social worker and would have been a great asset in that line for the congregation.

As a student Brother he was studying at Loyola College, Vijayawada (I know not what stream or course) while staying at Mangalagiri. The next year he was shifted to Pezzonipet while still pursuing his studies. That year there were four confreres at Peta: Frs Johnson Moyalan, Pallithanam Thomas, Kottekarotte Joseph and Cl. James. Both in Mangalagiri and Peta he was fond of children and was very actively involved in their activities in spite of his studies. It was during his stay at Peta that he in a way pioneered or initiated the street presence and meeting the children in the railway station. That was way before the Street Childrens' apostolate came in vogue.

The following year he opted to be a missionary and was sent to the novitiate in Arunachal Pradesh. However, prior to commencing his theological studies he returned to the undivided Bangalore Province. It was during his theological studies that he was sent to Ravulapalem for his summer ministry.

Fr Palli recalled with great nostalgia that it was he who led the first cycle yatra of a group of 20 men, in support of the dalit cause organised by PARA on May 1, 1989. They started at Bobbarlanka and reached the mandal headquarters the next day where they held their first awareness programme. After this, and before they took up the second phase of the same programme, they decided to take a week off and relax. That was when tragedy struck: May 20, 1989. Cl. James and Sr Ignasam drowning in the Krishna river at 5 pm. It was hard for everyone especially his parents because this was the second case of death by drowning in the family. His younger brother too died in the water.

Thanks to Fr Palli was this informative and personal sharing.