Details of Vincentian


Fr. Palayilthayil Augustine
(1934-03-10 - 2016-11-13)
Fr Augustine Palayilthayil CM was born on 10th March 1934 as the son of late Abraham and Elizebath at Thalayolaparambu, in the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamali in Kerala. After completing his primary education, he joined the Congregation of the Mission in 1953 and had his minor seminary formation at St. Vincent's, Gopalpur on sea, Odisha. He was admitted into the Congregation of the Mission on 3rd July 1955 and had his Internal Seminary at Stella Maris in Odisha. He pursued his philosophical studies at St. Vincent's, Gopalpur on Sea, Odisha. After his theological studies at the University of Salamanca, Spain, he was ordained a priest on 28th June 1964. Soon after his ordination he was permitted to do the licentiate in Sacred Scripture in Spain itself. After completing his licentiate in scripture, he ministered in different mission stations in Odisha. Along with his pastoral ministry and teaching in the seminaries, he had also contributed greatly in the liturgical and biblical texts of Odiya Language. The first Odiya Bible (OT and NT) was the hard and tedious labour of Fr. Augustine, who worked earnestly to bring out an authentic translation of Odiya Bible from the Original Languages, Greek and Hebrew. His brilliance in languages like Greek, Hebrew, Latin, English and Odiya helped him in this endeavor. He wrote and rewrote, he corrected and recorrected the words of the Bible. He almost wrote the Bible 30 times and then it was typed using typewriter. He also translated Lectionaries and Sunday reflections to Odiya. Another remarkable work of Fr. Augustine is the book "the Vincentian Saints and Blesseds". "The Vincentian Saints and Blesseds", is the compilation of biographies and liturgies of the Vincentian Saints and Blesseds. Meanwhile he was also engaged in teaching in various seminaries like St. Joseph Pontifical Seminary, Alwaye and Aquinas College Gopalpur-on-Sea. From 2000 onwards he was ministering in the diocese of Mysore, as Parish Priest of Mariapura, Spiritual director of Sathaya Seva Sisters etc. He retired from active pastoral ministry in 2006 and spent his time in prayer, writing books and giving Spiritual assistance to everyone who approached him. Fr. Augustine always did the Will of God that he accepted all sufferings of his life. He underwent 15 surgeries and recovered every time by the grace of God. He spent his last days at Mysore and Aluva, praying and hearing confessions, helping the priests and brothers. The Lord called him to His Eternal Abode on 13th November, 2016. When we remember Fr. Augustine, we remember a great soul who loved the Word of God more than anything and lived the evangelical maxims to a most sublime level. Eternal rest gives unto him O, Lord, Let your perpetual light shine on him.

Fr. Palayilthayil Augustine