Fr. Scaria Mammootil is the eldest male member in the Scaria branch of the Changanacherry Mammootil family. He is a Jesuit in Patna Province. This is a tribute to his 92nd birthday, which also marks the 70th year since his joining the Jesuits.

Message read out during the homily

Greetings to Fr. Scaria Mammoottil on His 92^nd Birthday

As the firstborn son of his parents, our birthday boy was named Scaria after his paternal grandfather, following the Christian tradition of the Kerala community. Fondly called ‘Kuttappen,’ loosely translates to ‘handsome guy,’ he belongs to the Scaria branch of the Mammoottil family, a lineage of traditional merchants in the Changanacherry market. However, his father Yohanachen (John) emerged as a playwright and founded the first-ever drama troupe in the locality. One of his notable plays was based on the life of St. John the Baptist. Sadly, he passed away at a young age, leaving behind a family of six children, where the youngest child was only five years old.

After graduation, Scaria (Kuttappen) chose the path of priesthood and joined the Jesuits. Officially known as Scaria John, he took on the name Fr. S. J. Mammoottil S.J. upon his ordination. In Kerala’s tradition, a priest may leave his home and family, but he carries the family name with him, bringing honor and recognition. Fr. Scaria has been a beacon for our family, upholding and spreading the name of the Mammoottil family.

The early passing of Yohanachen (Fr. Scaria’s father) had an unexpected positive impact on our joint family. Yohanachen’s three younger brothers stepped in to care for the family, strengthening the bond among us cousins, who grew up considering each other as siblings. One instance highlights this closeness: As the son of Yohanachen’s second brother, I was the first boy born in 1954 after Scaria joined the Jesuits and was given Fr Scaria’s pet name Kuttappen. Later, as adults, we playfully referred to each other as senior and junior.

As the eldest male in our branch, Fr Scaria has played a significant role in leading and inspiring us. His deep faith and commitment have sparked five religious vocations within our family, three of which blossomed into dedicated nuns. His visits home were always a time of joy and celebration, filling our lives with happiness. He introduced us to games like Tambola (Housie / Lotto), which have now become a cherished part of our gatherings. The diamond jubilee celebration of his Jesuit journey in 2014 remains a treasured memory for all of us.

He kept the family closely connected and uplifted through his heartfelt letters, phone calls, and later, our WhatsApp group. His last visit to his native place was for the funeral of his younger brother, M. J. Joseph (Appachayan), in June 2019. Unfortunately, due to failing health, he could not be present for the funerals of his other two brothers and a sister: M. J. Cherian (Joychayan) in 2020, his sister Marykutty, Bangalore in 2021 and Francis John (Babichayan) in 2023.

Fr. Scaria continues to receive visits from family members, including his cousin Sr. Jayanthi of Notre Dame occasionally, his nephews in Bangalore a couple of times, and the sons of his three brothers last year. They have all witnessed the remarkable care he receives from the Jesuit community in Patna, for which we are deeply grateful. As a family, we take immense pride in him and thank God for the abundant blessings He has showered upon us through Fr. Scaria.

On this special occasion, as Fr. Scaria completes his 92^nd journey around the sun and marks 70 years since joining the Jesuit congregation, we pray for continued divine blessings upon him and the entire Jesuit community.

Dr Stephen Mathews (Kuttappen Jr) on behalf of the Mammootil family, Changanacherry

Memoir by Ms Gini Cherian

The Priceless Gem in our Family 

The epitome of a priest! 

In my eyes, that is what Achan is—a man who came from a very humble beginning and is still living a life of humility and prayer. 

My earliest childhood memory of Achan must be when I was about six or seven years of age, visiting Achan at Babychayan’s on one of his rare trips from Patna to Kerala. My excitement was more in playing with my younger cousins than meeting an uncle whom I had hardly seen or known. But that visit has had an impact on me which is why it is still so sharply etched in my memory. 

Even before greeting my Daddy or Mummy, Achan came straight over to me with a beaming smile and open hands. I was in awe to receive such a hearty reception. He reached into his pocket and placed his clenched fist in my palm. I was not sure what I was supposed to do with the white quail egg in my hand. It was magical for me to find a very tiny rosary hidden inside. With his gentle talk, radiant smile, and magic tricks, he earned a special place in my heart. 

We cherished his later visits when he could stay with us. A few years down the line (during my college years in Calicut), after a short stay with us, on his return to Patna he sent a letter addressed to me. His encouraging message from that beautiful letter taught me how one could acknowledge, appreciate, and be grateful for the trivial gestures of others. Those words of motivation have pulled me through many times in life and sown a seed of confidence within me. 

One other special moment was when Achan flew to be by my Daddy’s side when he had just been in a comatose state. It was a delight to see my ailing Daddy’s eyes light up when Achan recalled their childhood memories. Although not in the most talkative state, Daddy found great joy in reminding Achan of his special childhood ‘nickname’. It gave me a glimpse of how full of love and affection their younger years would have been. 

Speaking to Achan on his 92nd birthday this year was a precious treat for me. Despite his poor sight and hearing, with the help of Fr. Raneesh, he was so eager to converse and convey his blessings through that video call. I could see that we all have a special place in his life, that is now solely devoted to prayer. 

How fortunate are we to have such a benevolent soul in our family. 

Binil Joseph’s [S/O M J Joseph] memoir

I still remember his visits—rare but always memorable. He had a way of making every moment special, filling the air with witty jokes and deep discussions about books. His presence was like a spark, turning ordinary days into something to cherish.

Even when he was away, he never let distance dull his warmth. Every Christmas, a beautifully hand-crafted watercolor card would arrive, each stroke carrying a piece of his thoughtfulness. Those little works of art weren’t just greetings; they were reminders that he was always thinking of us.

Mathew Stephen’s [S/O Kuttappen Jr, grandson of M S Mathew] memoir

I fondly remember Kuttappan Achan visiting us in Changanacherry and even staying with us. His special Holy Masses, offered just for our family, remain cherished memories. He had a remarkable ability to connect with people of all ages, making everyone feel at ease in his presence. We are truly blessed to have a priest in our family; his wisdom and kindness continue to inspire us.

We welcome more memoirs, photos, and clippings. Let’s create something truly wholesome together.