04. Joseph Thamby in Pacchamalai, Tamil Nadu

CHAPTER: 04
Joseph Thamby in Pacchamalai, Tamil Nadu (1936)

With the arrival of Fr. P. S. Ignatius to Manathidal to look after the spiritual needs of the people there, Joseph Thamby left the village and moved towards Pachamalai [Green Hills] to begin his mission and ministry among the people of indigenous tribes.

On his way to Pachamalai, he went to Kottaipalayam parish. Fr. J. Adiroupan (+ 1978) was the parish priest. Joseph Thamby stayed there for ten days. Within a short time, Joseph Thamby became very friendly with Fr. Adiroupan. They became very good friends.

From Kottaipalayam, he went to Thondanmanthurai parish and from there he went to Pachamalai, 8 kilo meters from Kottaipalayam parish. Pachamalai is a hill station in the district of Tiruchirapalli in the diocese of Kumbakonam.

Joseph Thamby stayed there in a small hut. In the beginning, the people looked at him very strangely. As time passed, they became very close and friendly with him. He was living one among them sharing their food.

Joseph Thamby collecting clothes in Pondicherry
and distributing them to the people in Pachamalai

He used to provide them food, clothes and money that he received by begging. He often used to go to Pondicherry to collect clothes and money to help these people. But chieftain threw away clothes and money as the use of them was not in their life style.

Slowly he also began to talk about Jesus and share about God’s love and glory. He used to advise them to help one another.

He also helped them in their sickness with the country medication known to him and by praying and making the Sign of the Cross over them.

He also sought a small piece of land for the construction of a small church there. As he informed to some of the priests about it, they came to see the place. Fr. J. Adiroupan, the friend of Joseph Thamby also was one of them. Finally, they decided not to construct the church as it was not convenient looking at the culture, life style and attitude of the people there.

Joseph Thamby also was convinced of this and he left Pachamalai.

It is noteworthy to mention the following incident. While Joseph Thamby was with the people in Pachamalai, he used to confront the forest officers who used to exploit the tribal people there. Once the forest officer turned against Joseph Thamby and manhandled him because he opposed the exploitation done to the people there. Joseph Thamby informed to his friend Fr. J. Adiroupan, who in turn informed to the higher officials, who suspended the officer.

The forest officer manhandling Joseph Thamby