The dream of the Founder
Dr. A. Mathias Mundadan CMI (1923-2012)
It was the charism of this venerable founder that inspired the starting of this centre: his dedication to study, teaching and research; his spiritual contemplative life, which animated his preaching and pastoral ministry.
Father Mathias Mundadan, son of varied Tharyaku and Teresa Mundadan, was born in Alangad Karingathuruth on 12 November 1923. He joined the CMI Order at a younger age, and made his first vows on 15 October 1945; was ordained priest on 25 March 1953. He took his MTh in Theology from De Nobili College, Pune in 1954; Licentiate (1957) and Doctorate (1960) in History of the Church from Gregorian University, Rome. Bishop Mar Gratian Mundadan, CMI in his only brother.
He was Professor of Latin in 1954 at Aluva. From 1960 he was at Dharmaram College, Bangalore for almost thirty-five years. Held many important posts at Dharmaram, like Master of Students, Librarian, Director of LCA, Director of publications, Professor of History of the Church, Reactor of Dharmaram (1975-1978), and President of Dharmaram Pontifical Institute (DPI; later DVK) (1976-1980).
He was Provincial of Sacred Heart Province, Kochi three terms; he has served as the Associate Editer of India Church History Review, Editor of Tanima from 1993; Convenor of St.Thomas Academy for Research(STAR from 1980); Chairman of the Church History Association of South india (from 1969); General Editor of History of Christianity in India Series. He is the Founder-Director of Jeevass Kendram at St.Antony’s-Aluva, a cultural-spiritual Centre with hostel facilities.
His main works
- The Arrival of the Portuguese in India and the Thomas Christians under Mar Jacob, 1498-1552
- Sixteenth century traditions of St.Thomas Christians
- Indian Christians’ Search for Identity and Struggle for Autonomy
- History of Christianity in India, Vol. 1
- Path of Indian theology
- History and Beyond
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Biography of Cavara Kuryakkos Eliyasaccan, 1805-1871
He has also authored more than 70 research articles, and some booklets on History.
Father Mathias is recipient of many awards and honours, like Award of the Kerala History Congress, “Kerala-sabha-Taram” Award of Better Life Movement (Aloor), and Award of the KCBC for scholarly contributions to the Kerala Church.
He was a great Historian; his historical deliberations and records of the past are well researched, accurate, focused and philosophical. Secondly his life, in a way, had been a tapasya to establish the selfhood and identity of the Indian Church, the Syro-Malabar Church in particular. One of his very important works is: Indian Christians’ Search for Identity and Struggle for Autonomy. This caption eminently epitomizes one of his great missions and passions of life. Thirdly, Father Mathias was a great advocate of inculturation and indigenization. He insited that in India, Church has to become Indian. This is possible only if we are ready to accept and adopt healthy and valuable tenets, customs, celebrations and symbols, and also attitudes, of the Indian ethos enshrined in its philosophy, spirituality, world-view and Indian way of life.
Fourthly, he was a great believer and promoter of interfaith dialogue. Above all, he was a man of deep spirituality and had always a spiritual world-view and vision of life.
Professor Mundadan is an eminent historian, a prolific writer, an effective teacher an able administrator, a good organizer, a talented thinker, a dynamic leader, above all a holy priest,- all rolled up in one. The Bhagavad-Gita speaks about a sthita prajna in Chapter II. Sthita-prajna is one who is established in wisdom, who is a yogi of great wisdom, equanimity, self-discipline and detachment. Gita gives two definitions of Yoga. (i) samatvam yoga ucyate, Equanimity is yoga. Equanimity in all circumstance: as Gita says: duhkhesu anudvignamana sukhesu vigtasprahah vitaraga-bhayakrodhah…, that is, one who is not perturbed by sorrows, not elated in hasppiness, one who has conquered attachment, fear, anger, etc. (ii) yoga karmasu kausalam, yoga is the dexterity in doing one’s responsibilities. Then there is the famous definition of yoga by partanjali: yogah cittavrtti-nirodhah: Yoga is the control of activities of the mind. All these definitions, namely, equanimity, efficiency and adroitness in the performance of his duties, and perfect control of psychosomatic faculties, that is, control of feelings, emotions, thoughts and words, -are all applicable to the life and activities of Father Mathias.
We need to learn from him (i) An eye for thoroughness and perfections in all that we do. Father Mathias was perfectionist. (ii) Well planed order and rhythm in the daily routines of life. Father Mathias lived his daily life with definite plan and purpose. (iii) Virtue stands in the middle: the prudence to tread the middle path. Father Mathias avoided extremes. (iv) Grow, let others grow. Father Mathias had a great penchant to promote others, especially young people. (v)Develop a healthy soul-culture. Father Mathias had always a predilection for psycho-spiritual wholeness. (vi) Learn to love your mothers; your own physical mother, Mother Mary, Mother Church, Mother Congregation and Mother country. Father Mathias was lover of all these.
Father Matias Mundadan, CMI left this world of sorrows and went to the other Shore of peace and happiness on 31 August 2012. May his soul rest in peace!
I bow my head in reverence and respect before this great acarya and guru.