George Vakayil

George Vakayil or Vakayilachan or Achan Punyalan (saintly priest) (September 12, 1883-November 2, 1931) was a Catholic priest proposed for sainthood from Koonammavu, Kochi, in the Indian state of Kerala.
Early life
Vakayil was born at Vakayil Family in Koonammavu, as the second child of Paily and Francisca. He started his lessons of catechism and academic studies at St.Philomena's Forane Church, Koonammavu and the school affiliated to the said church. He lost his mother at the age of seven :Articles for deletion/George Vakayil and was taken cae of by his elder brother’s wife. Vakayil was keen on attending the holy mass every day and he served as an altar boy in his home parish. He joined and passed the matriculation. Later he joined in Puthanpalli Seminary where he completed his pastoral studies.
Career
Vakayil served at Good Sheperd’s Church at Kottayam, Churches at Kurichi and Thottakam. It was reported that, when he was serving as a priest at Kurichi, he met with an accident while he was moving in cycle through a hilly area. Kurichi was a hilly area where he worked among the poor and downtrodden. He was instrumental in constructing houses for the destitute, helping the poor and ailing patients etc.
Legacy
At the time of his death, Vakayil was the parish priest at St. Mary's Church, Maradu under the Archdiocese of Verapoly. The death anniversary of Vakayil is observed by the Church as a day of remembrance on 4 November of every year. Thousands of devotees participate in the "Nerchasadya" and Holy Mass and on that day. He was declared as Servant of God on 1 September 2013 at St. Mary Magdalene Church Maradu Moothedam by Metropolitan Archbishop, Francis Kallarakal.

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