in      
Reserved Area
BIS National News (789)

International (159 Items)

BIS Regional News

Bangalore (653 items)
Chennai (1191 items)
Dimapur (476 items)
Guwahati (911 items)
Hyderabad (687 items)
Kolkata (709 items)
Mumbai (1235 items)
New Delhi (306 items)
Tiruchy (588 items)
Sri Lanka (38 items)
Panjim (312 items)
International (159 items)
Silchar (234 items)

BIS Archives

2018 News
2017 News
2016 News
2015 News
2014 News
2013 News
2012 News
2011 News
2010 News
2009 News
2008 News
2007 News
2006 News
2005 News
2004 News
2003 News
2002 News
2001 News
1900 News



RMG - Appeal of the Rector Major for 150th missionary sending
Fri, 07 Dec 2018 00:00:00 +0100


Thailand – Fr Renzo Rossignolo, legendary missionary at Ronphiboon
Fri, 07 Dec 2018 00:00:00 +0100


Italy - Missionaries of 149th Salesian Missionary Expedition: Lawrence Okoli
Fri, 07 Dec 2018 00:00:00 +0100


Paraguay - Thousands of young on pilgrimage to Caacupé, their motto: "To bear much fruit"
Thu, 06 Dec 2018 00:00:00 +0100


South Korea – Don Bosco students walk 100 km for Myanmar VTC students
Thu, 06 Dec 2018 00:00:00 +0100


RMG - Registration open for 8th International Congress of Mary Help of Christians
Thu, 06 Dec 2018 00:00:00 +0100


Argentina – Found: drafts of lost volume of "Biographical Memories of Don Giovanni Bosco", work by Fr Ceria
Wed, 05 Dec 2018 00:00:00 +0100


RMG - Formation course for new Provincials
Wed, 05 Dec 2018 00:00:00 +0100


India – Convergence for Impact Development
Tue, 04 Dec 2018 00:00:00 +0100


Italy - Don Bosco's Valdocco rooms closed for restoration
Tue, 04 Dec 2018 00:00:00 +0100


News » Hyderabad Province (INH)

Join 360° view forum
Join 360° view forum
 
Printable View Print News   Mail to Friend Mail to Friend  Comment on News Mail to CASTILINO Vincent
We Will Miss a Legend... Fr C. Thomas breathes his last
By Fr Therampil Jose sdb  - 5 Comments
Hyderabad, Apr. 6. The Salesian Province of Hyderabad, lost another of its stalwarts in the person of Fr Chinnappa Thomas on April 5, 2015 (Easter Sunday) at 1 pm while undergoing treatment at CMC, Vellore.  He was 78 years old when he breathed his last. He would be eternally remembered for his deep spirituality, love for the poor and simple lifestyle.  He had a theologian's mind, a musician's soul and a pastor's heart. The funeral is scheduled for April 8, 2015 at 4 pm at Don Bosco Philosophate, Karunapuram.
View actual size
Fr C. Thomas, or Acharya as he was fondly called, was born in Madras on December 18, 1937.  He made his first and perpetual profession at Yecaud in 1960 and 1966 respectively. He was ordained on his birthday in the year 1969 at Madras.  He spent the last 46 years in the Province of Hyderabad as a missionary during which he pioneered the Salesian mission in three places: Mangalagiri, Punganur and Sodum.  Don Bosco Prem Nivas, Mangalagiri was the first of its kind in the whole Salesian congregation to cater to the needs of physically challenged children. Towards the latter part of his life, the ashram he painstakingly built up was his heart and soul. Though it was taken back by the diocese, he still remained attached to all those who were associated with it, till his last breath.  

As a person he was soft-spoken and unassuming. He was a person who was able to integrate theology with compassion. Among his admirers are hundreds of men who once were orphans or semi-orphans and were brought up by him and are now well placed in society. Everyone who knew Fr C. Thomas would vouch for the fact that the person is all that mattered for him.  Nothing else, neither religion nor caste, mattered.  

He had unflinching faith in God and connectivity to the people around him. He immersed himself in the problems of the people.  Life's blows slowed him down but could not break him because his spirit was warmed at the fire of prayer and enthusiasm. He was one of the spiritual icons of the Province of Hyderabad.  

Given his gentle frame, even a slight breeze would move his body, but his heart was always tender and moved at the slightest difficulty faced by those with him.  Though his own family was well placed in society, he lived a life of utter poverty: his personal belongings could hardly fill two small size travel bags (of which half would be plastic bags, wiping cloth pieces, and some souvenirs for distribution).   His work breathed nothing but love. The very fabric of his life was woven with God's infinite goodness and compassion.  He exuded unadulterated love and concern.

For the last three years prior to being in Punganur, he was the confessor in the Philosophate at Kondadaba (for one year) and at Don Bosco Philsophate, Karunapuram (2012-2014). It was ardent love for ashram life that pulled him to Punganur and that's where he breathed his last.  

Comments


John Andrew United States Pasadena
says:
October 12, 2016

External rest grant unto him o LORD, may the soul of the faithful depurated REST IN PEACE. I was a the only student with him in sodum in years 2007 - 2009 . All For One One For All BSA ( BOSCO SAMIYAKA ASARAM) I learned this from him. REQUIEM IN PACHA John Andrew


Alberto Montaldo Italy Moncalieri
says:
April 10, 2015

With deep sadness we came to know of the sudden passing away of Fr. Thomas Chinnappa on the day of Easter. We met Fr. Thomas in the year 1983 when he was director of the Don Bosco Premnivas of Mangalagiri, during one of our trips to India (we are an adoptive family of three Indian children) and we immediately appreciated the enormous qualities of humanity and total dedication to his handicapped boys. Then we met him in Marlapalli, Punganur where he had started the Don Bosco Nav Jeevan and even here we could see how his great charisma did hold on his people. As in the meantime we had founded the New Life – Nuova Vita association in Italy, we had given, very modestly, our small contribution to help Fr. Thomas, especially in the beginning of these works. And even on these occasions his generous spirit appeared in all its grandeur: despite having great need of help he did not hesitate to step aside to show us other situations where we could direct our aid. It was undoubtedly a phenomenal person with an immense charisma, we were very lucky to have met him in the journey of our lives and now we also feel poorer even if we are sure that Fr. Thomas from heaven will bless us with all the people who loved. We will pray for you, Acharya Alberto and Elena Montaldo


BELLAMKONDA Anthony Sudhakar India Secunderabad
says:
April 09, 2015

Thank you Fr T.V Jose for the meaningful article on Rev. Fr. Chinnappa Thomas. We certainly miss him. He is the MOTIVATOR for many Senior and Young Salesians in the present and past. He is the founder of starting home for the homeless and differently abled children by an Indian Salesian in whole of India. MAY THE SOUL OF FR. CHINNAPPA THOMAS REST IN PEACE.


ijerome4 India Bangalore
says:
April 08, 2015

We thank the Salesian Community for its love and understanding. It is indeed a great loss to every member of the family.


THARAKAN John India Hyderabad
says:
April 06, 2015

Jose, you have expressed beautifully what we have seen, heard and experienced. I hope we will have the courage to follow in his footsteps.





Post a Comment

More News in OBITUARY »
NEHRU IN NONGPOH
DECEASED CONFRERES REMEMBERED
Sad Demise of Father Varappilly Joseph SDB
Sad Demise of Father Thekkekandam Thomas SDB
Sad Demise of Father Brian Diamond SDB
Rate this
Current Rating
3.0
Contact via Email
 
Write Your email text message below.
Your email id:
Subject: Comments on 'We Will Miss a Legend... Fr C. Thomas breathes his last' - Source: BIS South Asia
Comments:
Security Code:
Enter Security Code:  


BIS is the information service of the Salesians of Don Bosco in South Asia.
The information available on the site is posted by the online registered Salesians in the South Asia Region and are approved by their respective Province BIS Coordinators.


This site is best viewed with Mozilla Firefox and/or Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 + at a minimum screen resolution of 1024 x 768


NEWS SEARCH
Search
Province
Classification


News Subscription
  
 
RSS Feeds RSS Feeds


Classification :
OBITUARY












Don Bosco Day by Day - AUGUST 16 : A MAN SENT BY GOD
Sat, 15 Aug 2015 23:30:00 +0000


Don Bosco Day by Day - AUGUST 15 : MAINTAINING A STANDARD
Fri, 14 Aug 2015 23:30:00 +0000


Don Bosco Day by Day - AUGUST 14 : THE HARVEST IS GREAT (5)
Thu, 13 Aug 2015 23:30:00 +0000


Don Bosco Day by Day - AUGUST 13 : THE HARVEST IS GREAT (4)
Wed, 12 Aug 2015 23:30:00 +0000


Don Bosco Day by Day - AUGUST 12 : THE HARVEST IS GREAT (3)
Tue, 11 Aug 2015 23:30:00 +0000


Don Bosco Day by Day - AUGUST 11 : THE HARVEST IS GREAT (2)
Mon, 10 Aug 2015 23:30:00 +0000


Don Bosco Day by Day - AUGUST 10: THE HARVEST IS GREAT (1)
Sun, 09 Aug 2015 23:30:00 +0000


Don Bosco Day by Day - AUGUST 09: DO NOT TURN BACK
Sun, 09 Aug 2015 11:30:00 +0000


Don Bosco Day by Day - AUGUST 08 : YOUR VOCATION COMES FROM GOD
Sat, 08 Aug 2015 11:09:11 +0000


Don Bosco Day by Day - AUGUST 05 : PATIENT OBEDIENCE
Tue, 04 Aug 2015 23:30:00 +0000