06. Joseph Thamby in Jhansi, North India

CHAPTER: 06
In Jhansi, North India

Fr. Joseph Chungath has testified that Joseph Thamby had been to different places in India and he was receiving letters from Jhansi (North India) written by Joseph Thamby.

There was already an unknown oral tradition that Joseph Thamby, as a young man, joined the military in Northern India and was discharged after some time.

Joseph Thamby was in Jhansi in the year 1944. It was in a military Church on a Sunday; Joseph Thamby was participating in the Mass. During the Mass, Mr. Thomas M. Kurisinkal noticed Joseph Thamby as he was collecting the alms. Joseph Thamby was wearing dirty clothes and looked like a Hindu sanyasi. He was holding a big book.

Soon after the Mass, Mr. Thomas rushed to the main door to find out who he was. Joseph Thamby came out with the book in his hand and a bag on his shoulders. Taking the book into his hands, Mr. Thomas opened and found that the book was half in Latin and half in English. Mr. Thomas asked, ‘Do you know to read?’ Joseph Thamby replied, “Though you do not know, I know.” Since then both of them became friends.

Joseph Thamby used to beg in military barracks for his living. He also used to bring dry Chapattis that he begged and share with Mr. Thomas. One day, as Mr. Thomas was reading a spiritual book, Joseph Thamby was beside him. Suddenly Joseph Thamby fell down and blood was oozing from his hands and side. Mr. Thomas wiped the blood with cotton. Joseph Thamby uttered in pain, “Our Lord is suffering. Expiation is needed”.

One day after the conversation with Joseph Thamby, Mr. Thomas was going to a church by cycle for 13 day adoration. When Mr. Thomas reached there, Joseph Thamby was found already in the middle of the Church. Mr. Thomas asked, ‘How did you come?’ Joseph Thamby answered, “I just came. When I want to go anywhere, somebody comes and taps on the shoulder and lifts me up and bring me to the place.” Joseph Thamby had the gift of bilocation / instant location.

Mr. Thomas Kurisinkal had correspondence with Fr. Joseph Chungath who knew Joseph Thamby very well. It was from a military man that he got the address of Fr. Chungath. He wrote to Fr. Chungath narrating his experience with Joseph Thamby. Fr. Joseph Chungath replied writing, “After the death of a man you can tell all that you know about him.” Mr. Thomas visited the tomb of Joseph Thamby in 1949 and in 1983.

Mr. Thomas Kurisinkal testified that he had received letters from Guntur written by Joseph Thamby. While in Jhansi, he had also received a big Rosary and a Crucifix from Joseph Thamby.

Once Joseph Thamby advised him to read 1 Peter 1: 24-25:

“For All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord endures forever. That word is the good news that was announced to you.”