Devotees to bid farewell to Archbishop Emeritus Mar Jacob Thoomkuzhy

Thrissur is steeped in sorrow as it prepares to bid a tearful farewell to Archbishop Emeritus Mar Jacob Thoomkuzhy, the former head of the Thrissur Archdiocese, who shepherded the church with wisdom, humility, and compassion for over half a century. Thousands of faithful are expected to pour into the city to pay their respects. The funeral rites will begin on Sunday, marking the start of two days of solemn homage to the beloved prelate.

To generations of believers, Mar Thoomkuzhy was not just a church leader but a guiding presence whose life embodied consolation and blessing. On Sunday and Monday, Thrissur will witness wave upon wave of mourners—priests, bishops, church leaders and ordinary people—streaming in from across Kerala and beyond to offer their last respects.

The funeral rituals will begin Sunday morning at the Archdiocesan headquarters with a solemn service led by Archbishop Mar Andrews Thazhath. At 12.15 p.m., the mortal remains will be taken to the Basilica of Our Lady of Dolours (Puthanpally) for public homage until 3 p.m. Inside the basilica, arrangements have been made for mourners to pay their respects in orderly queues, with the police and volunteers ensuring smooth passage.

Funeral procession

From there, the body will be carried in a flower-decked vehicle in a poignant funeral procession through the Swaraj Round, before reaching the Lourdes Cathedral by late evening.

At 5 p.m., a solemn holy Mass will be celebrated in the cathedral under the chief celebrancy of Mar Thazhath. Irinjalakuda Bishop Mar Pauly Kannookadan will deliver the message, while Auxiliary Bishop Mar Tony Neelankavil and Archbishop Mar Prince Panengaden of Shamshabad will serve as co-celebrants. People will also be able to offer their final tributes at the Lourdes Cathedral late into the night.

In keeping with his lifelong vision of service to the poor, the Archdiocese has made an unusual but deeply meaningful appeal: mourners are requested not to bring floral wreaths or bouquets, but instead to offer saris or clothing. These will later be distributed to underprivileged women and families in need. It is a symbolic continuation of a practice Mar Thoomkuzhy himself championed during his lifetime.

No expensive gifts

He had often discouraged visitors from bringing expensive gifts. Instead, with gentle insistence, he would ask them to bring a sari—“Not for me, but for a poor young woman’s wedding,” he would explain with a disarming smile. Over the years, saris began to pile up at the Archbishop’s residence, each one later handed over as a blessing to a bride from a struggling family. For many young women who could never have dreamt of wearing a fine sari on their wedding day, the gift from Mar Thoomkuzhy was not just a garment but a memory wrapped in grace.

On Monday afternoon his body will be taken to ‘Home of Love,’ of Kristu Dasi Generalate in Kozhikode, where the final funeral rituals will be carried out. Kristu Dasi, a congregation founded by Mar Thoomkuzhy, is dedicated to pastoral and social service.