01. Family, Childhood and Youth

SERVANT OF GOD

BROTHER JOSEPH THAMBY (+ 1945)

CHAPTER ONE

Family, Childhood and Youth

The parents of Joseph Thamby [popularly known as Brother Joseph Thamby] are Thambusamy Savarimuthu and Rosamalle Maria who are natives of 'Karaikal' town in the Union Territory of Pondicherry located on the southeast coast of India. Pondicherry was then a French colony. They had French citizenship. Savarimuthu was a government employ [civil servant] and Rosamalle Maria was a house-wife.

 Because of his office, Savarimuthu took his wife Rosamalle and had gone to 'Saigon', a country in Southeast Asia. 'Saigon' [today called "Ho Chi Minh"],  the then French colony is now in present Vietnam [Official name is Socialist Republic of Vietnam, a country in South East Asia comprising the former states of Annam, Tonkin and Cochin-China: formerly part of French Indo-china; divided into North Vietnam and South Vietnam during the Vietnam War but now reunified].

02. Joseph Thamby: A Franciscan Tertiary

CHAPTER TWO
Joseph Thamby: A Franciscan Tertiary (1932 - 1933)

Ever since Joseph Thamby left his home in Karaikal and went to Kerala, he grew up in age, in faith and in wisdom. As a grown up man, he was working as a catechist under Carmelite Missionaries in the diocese of Verapoly [Verapuzha] in Kerala. Joseph Thamby came to know from these Carmelite Missionaries about the arrival of the French Capuchin Missionaries to Kollam [Quilon] to begin a Friary and the study house. 

Since Joseph Thamby had French citizenship and knew French very well, he showed great interest to meet them. Thus, Joseph Thamby met the Capuchin friars at St. Antony Friary, Kollam and spent some time with them. Joseph Thamby expressed his desire to become a Capuchin friar.  As was the custom, as a postulant, he was given the habit of the Franciscan Third Order.

03. Joseph Thamby in Manathidal, Tamil Nadu

CHAPTER: 03
Joseph Thamby in Manathidal, Tamil Nadu (1933-1935)

In 1933, Joseph Thamby left Pondicherry and came to Manathidal village in the diocese of Kumbakonam. It was a sub-station to Michaelpatty parish. Msgr. A. Gnanadickam (+ 1953) was the parish priest. He was also the Vicar General of Kumbakonam.

Joseph Thamby with Msgr. A. Gnanadickam, parish priest of Michaelpatty

Joseph Thamby faced lot of challenges as he arrived in Manathidal. Some people at Manathidal suspected him and thought that he was from a low caste and planned to beat him up and send him away, but gradually they realized that he was a ‘Brother’ and a sannyasin and they had tolerated with him.

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

05. Joseph Thamby in Kerala

CHAPTER: 05
Joseph Thamby in Kerala (1936 - 1937, 1939)

Urged by the missionary zeal, leaving Pachamalai, Joseph Thamby moved from place to place as a mendicant, especially in Kumbakonam and Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu. From Tamil Nadu, he left for Kerala.

For some time, his activities were centered in Ernakulam. He was talking to the people about St. Francis of Assisi, who left a deep impression on his whole life and about the Franciscan Third Order. He worked in the fields as a daily labourer with the people and begged in the streets and shared with the poor what he earned. The police in Ernakulam were suspicious of Joseph Thamby. They objected him wandering in the streets begging.

Joseph Thamby went away from there and met the archbishop, Joseph Attipetty (+ 1970) of Verapoly archdiocese. Archbishop was impressed with the attire and attitude of Joseph Thamby living as a mendicant, going to the fields to work as a daily labourer, begging food and helping the poor. Knowing the sincere life of Joseph Thamby, archbishop encouraged him to live the way he was living.

By then, Archbishop Joseph Attipetty started ‘Theresian Brothers’, an archdiocesan congregation for taking care of the institutions and to render services in the parishes. They were very few and lacked proper formation. Archbishop felt that Joseph Thamby was the right person to give formation or training to the Theresian Brothers. When archbishop asked, Joseph Thamby joyfully accepted it.

Hence, the archbishop commissioned Joseph Thamby to go to Puthur Latin Mission Church of the Verapoly archdiocese. Two Theresian Brothers were staying there and engaged in mission work under the direction of the Archbishop. Archbishop asked Joseph Thamby to give formation to those two brothers.

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.”

07. Joseph Thamby in Andhra Pradesh

CHAPTER: 07
Joseph Thamby in Andhra Pradesh

08. Joseph Thamby: Holy man of Avutapally

CHAPTER: 08
Joseph Thamby: Holy man of Avutapally

09. Joseph Thamby - Boyapati Family

CHAPTER: 09
Joseph Thamby - Boyapati Family

10. Joseph Thamby: Mission and Ministry

CHAPTER: 10

Joseph Thamby: Mission and Ministry

11. Joseph Thamby: Miracles in Avutapally

CHAPTER: 11
Joseph Thamby: Miracles in Avutapally

12. Joseph Thamby: Journey to Heaven

CHAPTER: 12
Joseph Thamby: Journey to Heaven

13. Joseph Thamby: Stigmata

CHAPTER: 13

Joseph Thamby: Stigmata

14. Joseph Thamby: Bi-location/Instant location

CHAPTER: 14
Joseph Thamby: Bi-location/Instant location

15. Joseph Thamby: Heroic Virtues

CHAPTER: 15
Joseph Thamby: Heroic Virtues

16. Joseph Thamby: Fame

CHAPTER: 16
Fame

17. Joseph Thamby: Shrine

CHAPTER: 17
Shrine

18. Joseph Thamby: Servant of God - Beatification

CHAPTER: 18

Joseph Thamby: Servant of God - Beatification

TESTIMONY 1

TESTIMONY 1

Name: Fr. Joseph Surname: Chungath

Date & Place of Birth: 21 June 1904 (79 years old)

Profession / Occupation: Priest 

Address: Parish Church, Puthur, Trichur Diocese, Kerala

Relationship: Direct Witness

Date of Interview: 19 August 1983 

Brother Joseph Thamby was sent by Archbishop Attipetty to Nadathara Church where I was an assistant priest to Rev. Msgr. Mathew Murigathery (1939), the chaplain of Nadathara convent and parish priest of Nadathara Church. However, I was at that time, not only the assistant priest to Nadathara parish Church but also I was the parish priest of Puthur Church near which there was a Latin Church where two lay brothers under archbishop Joseph Attipetty of Varapoly were living in connection with the mission work of the archbishop. Brother Joseph Thamby was often staying with them after his journey here and there in northern and central Kerala. 

This is how I came to know Joseph Thamby for the first time. Only reluctantly did he say anything about his family or relatives. On meeting me, in a polite manner he asked me to be his spiritual director and I agreed to it. As I went on enquiring his whereabouts, he shared with me many experiences and happenings of his life from childhood onwards. He told me that he had a very hard time at home in Pondicherry, particularly after the death of his mother. His daddy married a second time and the step-mother disliked him. She even persecuted him, and denied food to him several times. 

At the age of 12 he fled from home, and reached Ernakulam in Kerala, where he was taken care of and educated by a motherly woman. At the age of 25, he was inspired to leave all, including that devout woman, that house where he lived for many years, and embarked on a life of the hermit, devoting himself completely to prayer, searching for life’s meaning. As he was traveling he begged food for his life, and spent his time in reading good books. Once thus he came across the biography of St. Francis of Assisi, read it and was inspired to live the Franciscan ideals. Within a few years he advanced in his prayer life and was taken to fervent devotion to Jesus Christ Crucified. Some good person gave him the prayer to the five wounds of Christ, and he used it for his prayer. 

TESTIMONY 2

TESTIMONY 2

Name: Fr. Paul

Surname: Chazhoor   

Date & Place of Birth: 14 September 1905, Kerala

Profession / Occupation: Parish Priest

Address: Parish Church, Ampazhakad, Trichur District, Kerala - 680 562

Relationship: Direct Witness

Date of Interview: 20 August 1983

        I knew Brother Joseph Thamby from the year 1939. He came alone one day to me. He was acquainted with Fr. Joseph Chungath, who is my classmate, from whom he got the information of the Church of Ambarakhad where I was only an assistant vicar. He asked me some water to drink. Since there was no servant at that time, I myself went to bring the water, which was placed, outside my room. While coming back I saw him in a stigmatic situation. I thought he was having some rheumatic convulsion and I touched his feet to give him a massage. The feet were inseparably stuck together as if they were nailed and my touch gave him immense pain and he was whiling and swinging as if he was on the cross. The biting of his teeth was so tremendous and after a few minutes the fit vanished and he began to speak. He accepted the water from me. He showed me his palms and feet, which are wet with blood and asked for a towel to wipe the wounds. After wiping the blood, he gave back the towel to me and I kept it in my room. But unfortunately after few months the worms ate the towel. 

        

TESTIMONY 3

TESTIMONY 3

Name: Thomas
Surname: Kurisinkal
Date of Birth: 25 October 1918
Profession / Occupation: Estate Officer – Retired, XLRL, Jamshedpur
Age: 83 years
Address: House No: 4/534, Oliyappuram Post, 686 679, (Via) Koothattukulam, Ernakulam District, Kerala, India.
Phone: 0485-252256.
Relationship: Direct Witness
Date of Interview: 27 May 2001

I was born on 25 October 1918. At the age of 9, I worked as sacristan. After passing 4^th class in 1929, I joined Jhansi Brothers (Diocesan congregation known as Franciscan Missionary Brothers of the Blessed Sacrament). I received the habit of O.R.S.T. on 29 October 1941 form Fr. Francis Xavier Fenech O.C, Superior Regular (OFM Cap.) I entered Novitiate on 1 November 1941 and left on 10 April 1942.

It was in the Catholic Church in Jhansi that I met Brother Joseph Thamby for the first time in December 1943. He was wearing dirty clothes and had filaria. It was a military Church. Thamby looked like a Hindu sanyasi. He was reading a big book. I asked him: “Do you know to read?” “Though you do not Know, I know”, was the reply. I was stunned by those words. That book was in half Latin and half English. It was his first visit to that Sacred Heart Church. From then on, we became friends.

TESTIMONY 4

TESTIMONY 4

Name: Fr. George
Surname: Kudilingal
Date & Place of Birth: 81 years old, Kerala
Profession / Occupation: Parish Priest, Vatluru
Address: Vatluru Village, Eluru, West Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh State
Relationship: Witness

Date of Interview: 2006

I am the parish priest of Vatluru parish, Eluru. Every month, I used to go to Avutapally for the Teachers Meeting there. The parish priest, Italian, Fr. J. B. Calderaro used to call me since Vatluru is not much far from there. Often he invited me for hearing the confession of the teachers, catechists and the faithful. I used to see Brother Joseph Thamby there and often we had conversation.

Brother Joseph Thamby excelled in the virtue of humility and charity. On two occasions, I saw the parish priest, Fr. J. B. Calderaro looking angrily at Brother Joseph Thamby, because of his shabby appearance and behaviour and contemptuously telling him to get out of the place. Sometimes, Fr. J. B. Calderaro ill-treated Brother Joseph Thamby but he humbly endured all that without any complaint and never showed any impatience. It surprised me that he did not take offence at the words or actions of the priest. He was a holy man.

TESTIMONY 5

TESTIMONY 5

Name: Fr. Vincenzo
Surname: Pagano
Date & Place of Birth: Italy
Diocese / Congregation: PIME         
Profession / Occupation: Assistant Parish Priest, Avutapalli
Address: Avutapalli Post, Sacred Heart Church, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh State
Relationship: Direct Witness, Assistant Parish Priest, Confessor

Date of Interview: 8 August 2009

 In the afternoon (1940-1944), the day of my transfer to Pedda Avutapalli (Avutapalli), I was reading something in the large room allotted to me, which is used at present as Sacristy, when the Church door slowly opened and I saw Brother Joseph Thamby for the first time. He was visibly in great pain, as his short hairs were straight up, the eyes blank, the body hunched, almost crushed and barely able to walk. I was wondering who he was and why he had come that way, when I noticed fresh blood stains in his hands, on his feet and on his heart…. Feigning surprise I asked him what that was: ‘Disease has come, Swami (priest). I beg you to let me wash here’ was the answer. ‘You should not be careless with razor blades or nails,’ I rebuked him while leading him to my bathroom, knowing very well that a mystery was there. I tried to apply water on his hands, but the pain grew and I stopped.  Suddenly, after a few minutes, Brother Joseph Thamby brightened up and smiling: ‘The disease has passed’ – said washing his hands and feet briskly. Not a sign of the inch-long wound appeared on his hands. It was Friday and the good Brother confided to me that the ‘Disease’ came every Friday at 3 p.m. and lasted for a full hour. Next time, not to fall prey to any delusion, I prepared some cotton and when he appeared again to wash his wounds, I applied cotton, which soon was soaked with fresh blood; and so remained after he washed.

TESTIMONY 6

TESTIMONY 6

Name: Fr. John B. 

Surname: Calderaro

Profession/Occupation: Parish Priest, Avutapally

Address: Sacred Heart Church, Avutapally, Krishna Dist., Andhra Pradesh

Relationship: Parish Priest

Date of Testimony: 1960 [fifteen years after the death of Br. Thamby]

    "In 1939 a certain Brother Joseph Thamby arrived in the Parish fixing his residence at Kesarapalli. His poor life and sincerity captivated the Catholics of that village. One still remembers him going in the evening from house to house to recite the Rosary with the villagers. After eight months he was allowed to stay in the Avutapalli Sudras. Almost all the villages were visited by him. At that time a lot of whispering was going on about his stigmata. Some Fathers witnessed that fact. Three months before his death he got a coffin ready and kept it in his room. He foresaw that in spite of the three Priests [Fr. Calderaro himself, Fr. A. Rasi and the third one must have been Fr. Vincenzo Pagano] at Avutapalli, he would die without the last Sacraments. Really Extreme Unction was given sub conditione in the house of the first person converted by him. He died on 15th Jan. 1945 and a big tomb conserves the remains of this mysterious Brother."

        This Testimony of Fr. J. B. Calderaro, the parish priest of Br. Joseph Thamby at Avutapalli is taken from "A History of the Catholic Diocese of Vijayawada: Published on the occasion of the Diocesan Golden Jubilee 1937-1987" by Fr. John Leoncini PIME (1988).

TESTIMONY 7

TESTIMONY 7

Name: Fr. Joseph
Surname: Nellikunnam
Date & Place of Birth: 89 years old, Pondicherry
Date & Place of Birth: 89 years old, Pondicherry
Profession / Occupation: Retired Priest
Address: Emmaus Old Age Home, Pondicherry (Puducherry) 

Relationship: Direct Witness

Date of Interview: 24 September 2009

Servant of God, Brother Joseph Thamby had great love and respect for priests. In 1941, I saw Brother Joseph Thamby for the first time at T.R. Pattanam, one of the sub-stations of Pondicherry parish. He had come there to attend Holy Mass. The people knew him earlier and were talking about him that he was an extra-ordinary person. Out of curiosity, I went and spoke with him. He spoke to me many remarkable things, but due to my old age and poor memory, now I can’t remember them.

Moved by divine spirit, Brother Joseph Thamby used to give spiritual advice. I am happy to mention one thing that impressed me very much; that is quite fresh in my memory even today. He told me: ‘A priest should never talk worldly matters; should be careful not to be distracted with mundane things; a holy priest will pray at least 15 minutes as preparation for celebrating the Holy Mass’. His words are fresh and alive in my heart and my life. This is why I love Brother Joseph Thamby very much.

TESTIMONY 8

TESTIMONY 8

 

Name: Fr. Francis Xavier
Surname: Pinto
Profession: Parish Priest
Address: Parish Priest, St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Hyderabad Deanery
Address: Parish Priest, St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Hyderabad Deanery

Relationship: Direct Witness; given the written Testimony

Date of Interview: 24 September 2009

        As a diocesan priest, I would like to give the Testimony about the Servant of God, Br. Joseph Thamby. Brother Joseph Thamby is reported to have had the privilege of ‘bilocation’. He is supposed to have helped the poor in a wonderful way. He was neither cooking nor had any money. He was never speaking about himself. The priests there treated him like a servant, but never complained. They say he was in Europe for some time in a seminary. They say also that he knew Italian. He may have known French as well. He could read the hearts of people and would say straight away that they were in sin and would convert them.

He is the Apostle of the ‘Kammas’. He led the movement to conversions among the caste people in Avutapalli; and the Kammas would do anything for him. In a family he converted, a woman is stricken with the stigmata and she bleeds every Friday. When the poor came to him for assistance, he would open his prayer book and would find currency notes between the leaves. He is also reported to have had the stigmata. His grave is frequented by people from the Guntur District. They have received many favours from him. Barren women have had children through his intercessory prayers.

The Kammas wanted to build a large monument over his grave. They were not permitted to do so. They built the grave.

Pinto F. Xavier
Parish Priest, St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Hyderabad Deanary

TESTIMONY 9

TESTIMONY 9

Written Testimony of Witness - Pasala Thomas

Name: Mr. Thomas           
Surname: Pasala
Age: 91 Years Old
Profession / Occupation: Retired
Birth Place: Gottimukkala Village, Jagannadhapuram Parish, Krishna District
Address: Pasala Thomas, Door No. 47-1-15, Lourdhu Nagar, Mother Theresa Street, Gunadala, Vijayawada, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh State

Relationship: Direct Witness; native of Gottimukkala village. At the age of 20, he met Brother Joseph Thamby at Gottimukkala village.

I was 20 years old when I saw Brother Joseph Thamby for the first time when I came to Peddavutapally village. It was the Lenten Season. Showraiah, my brother-in-law was working as a cook to Rev. Fr. John B. Calderaro, the parish priest at Peddavutapally.

Brother Joseph Thamby was sent to our village, namely, Gottimukkala for prayer service. That was a Friday of the Lenten season. On that day at 2 o’ clock in the afternoon came to our village Church and asked my father for the Church key. My father gave me the key and asked me to open the Church. Since my father was catechist, the church key was kept at my home.

I opened the Church. Brother Joseph Thamby entered the Church and began to pray. I was waiting for him outside the Church. He did not come till 6 o’ clock in the evening. Then I heard him shouting, “Cotton, cotton”. I went into the Church and saw him and then I ran home and brought the cotton. He asked me to wipe the blood that was on his palms and feet. I wiped the blood with the cotton. After wiping the blood, I have not seen the wounds that I saw before wiping the blood.

TESTIMONY 10

TESTIMONY 10

Name: Mr. Showry 

Surname: Gode S/o Gode John 

Date of Birth: 01-03-1934 

Profession / Occupation: Retired Police Constable

Birth Place: Vatluru, Eluru, West Godavari District 

Address: Ameenapet, Near Police Maszid, Sanivarapupet Road, Eluru, West Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh State 

Relationship: Direct Witness; native of Vatluru village. He met Brother Joseph Thamby in Vatluru when he came to visit the village at the invitation of Fr. George Kudilingal, the parish priest.

I was 8 years old and was studying third standard at RCM School in Vatluru village. On that day, bell rang for an interval. I did not know when Brother Joseph Thamby came to our school, but he came to us as soon as we came out of our class rooms. He was speaking in a different slang. He wore all rags. His beard was long and shabby. He was little short in stature. He had a curly hair. I went to him and pulled his long shirt and mocked him calling ‘mad man, mad man’. Hearing the noise of the students, Nandigam Abraham, the head-master of the school came out and asked Brother Joseph Thamby, ‘Who are you? And why did you come here?’ He was angry upon Brother Joseph Thamby who was silent and did not say anything. The bell rang and all the students went back to their class rooms. Brother Joseph Thamby told the head-master that he had come from Peddavutapally and wanted to meet Fr. George, the parish priest of Vatluru. Head-master told that Fr. George went to Peddavutapally and you would have met him there. Brother Joseph Thamby went and sat at the door steps of the presbytery.

TESTIMONY 11

TESTIMONY 11

Name: Mr. Balaswamy 

Surname: Boyapati S/o Basavayya (Francis) 

Date of Birth: 06-05-1940 

Profession / Occupation: Farmer 

Birth Place: St. Ann’s Hospital, Machilipatnam, West Godavari District 

Address: Pedda Avutapalli Unguturu Mandal, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh State 

Relationship: Direct Witness; native of Avutapalli village. Direct Witness. Native of Avutapally village; He was born to Boyapati Francis and Claramma. He was 6 years old when Brother Joseph Thamby died. 

When my parents were still Hindus, they had male child and died. Girl children were safe. They made many pilgrimages for a male child but in vain.

One day my parents heard about Thamby and invited home. As he reached at the entrance, he hesitated to enter the house. He said that there are evil spirits in the house. At the request and pleading of my father, he entered the house. Thamby himself told my parents about all the things that had happened and would happen in the future. My father believed in Christ and asked for baptism. Thamby told that they are Hindus and you will face sufferings. He brought Fr. Pagano, assistant priest to the house. He built an altar in my house. Mass was celebrated there. He helped them to receive baptism. Thamby himself was god-parent at baptism. At that time, Thamby told my parents that they would have a male child soon. He uses to often visit my home and pray the rosary there.

TESTIMONY 12

TESTIMONY 12

Name: Ms. Mariyamma 

Surname: Kalapala 

Date of Birth: 75 years old 

Profession / Occupation: Coolie (daily labour) 

Address: Thelaprolu Village and Post Unguturu Mandal, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh State 

Relationship: Direct Witness. She met Brother Joseph Thamby when he visited Thelaprolu. 

I was 7 years old when Thamby came to Thelaprolu village. He was going to every street of the village and inviting children for prayer. I also joined other children and went to the Church. We were praying the Rosary inside the Church and Brother Joseph Thamby sat at the door of the Church and praying the Rosary. After the prayers, I used to play with him for little time. 

During the Lenten season, Joseph Thamby used to kneel down and pray while the Way of the Cross. He used to get stigmata now and then. When Devarapalli Krupavathi tried to wipe the wounds, Joseph Thamby used to say no to that. 

TESTIMONY 13

TESTIMONY 13

Name: Mr. Jwannesu 

Surname: Chautapally 

Date of Birth: 78 years old 

Profession / Occupation: Coolie (Daily labour) 

Address: Chautapally Jwannesu, Thelaprolu Village and Post, Unguturu Mandal, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh State 

Relationship: Direct Witness. Native of Thelaprolu village, He met Brother Joseph Thamby personally. 

I was 17 years old when Brother Joseph Thamby came to our village, namely, Telaprolu. When he came to our village, he used to teach prayers to children. There used to be big fights between the two groups in the village. The elders of the village went to Avutapalli to meet Fr. Calderaro, the parish priest to speak about the quarrels. I also went with them. When we reached Fr. Calderaro was not there. Meanwhile Brother Joseph Thamby who was residing in Avutapally came to us and invited us for meals. We went to his house near the Church. There was only little food which is hardly enough for one person, but he fed to all of us to the full. We were nine of us. The elders told this miracle to the people in and around. 

Brother Joseph Thamby used to heal the sick with the medicinal leaves available there. 

Chautapalli Jwannesu

Chautapalli Jwannesu

TESTIMONY 14

TESTIMONY 14

Name: Ms. Bhagyamma 

Surname: Komaravalli, D/o. Anthony, Krupavathi 

Date of Birth: 80 years old 

Profession / Occupation: Coolie (Daily Labour) 

Address: Thelaprolu Village and Post, Unguturu Mandal, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh State 

Relationship: Direct Witness. She met Brother Joseph Thamby when he visited her house and know him for four years.

I have seen Brother Joseph Thamby when I was 8 years old. My mother had four children and all of them passed away. Thamby came to know this visited our house. He said that there is a Satan in the house and asked my father to fast for 20 days. On 21st day, Thamby himself fed my father.

My father used to go for beating drums for the Hindu festivals. Brother Thamby told him not to go, but he went. My father brought some coconut shelves and gave to the buffaloes that they ate and died. Since then, my father began to go the Church.

On every Friday, Brother Joseph Thamby used to get stigmata. He used to feel very weak after that. My father used to help him. Brother Thamby used to teach prayers to the children in the village. Before his death, he blessed my mother at the house of Boyapati Claramma in Avutapally.

Komaravalli Bhagyamma

Komaravalli Bhagyamma

TESTIMONY 15

TESTIMONY 15

Name: Mr. Joseph 

Surname: Athukuri, S/o Andraiah (Andrew) 

Date of Birth: 02 September 1929 

Profession / Occupation: Catechist (Vatluru Parish) 

Address: Showripuram Village and Post, Pedapadu Mandal, West Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh State 

Relationship: Direct Witness; native of Showripuram village which is a sub-station to Vatluru parish. He met Brother Joseph Thamby in his village. 

It was winter season. I was studying fifth standard. One day in the evening around 7.30 to 8.30, Brother Joseph Thamby came to Showripuram in Vatluru parish. He came to conduct prayers. We all participated in the prayer meeting. Among us there was a boy who began to do mischief during the prayer time. We all laughed at him. Brother Joseph Thamby came and patted on my back telling not to laugh at the boy. He was so patient towards the boy, never got angry. I believe and hope that this incident has inspired me to become a Catechist when I grew up. 

Athukuri Joseph 

Athukuri Joseph 

TESTIMONY 16

TESTIMONY 16

Name: Ms. Mariamma 

Surname: Dayala 

Date of Birth: 15 June 1923 

Profession / Occupation: Coolie (daily labour) 

Address: Dayala Mariamma, Vatluru Village, PO, Eluru, West Godavari District , Andhra Pradesh State 

Relationship: Direct Witness; native of Vatluru village. She met Brother Joseph Thamby in Vatluru when he visited the village at the invitation of Fr. George Kudilingal, the parish priest.

I was 12 years old. I used to go to the church every day for Mass and for learning Latin songs. Fr. Jeenan and Fr. George used to celebrate holy Mass every day. One day a man [Brother Joseph Thamby] with shabby beard torn clothes came to Vatluru. He was there for few days. One day, I accompanied Brother Joseph Thamby to visit Nandigam Abraham and Ruthamma. Ruthamma was pregnant. Brother Joseph Thamby prayed over her and prophesied that she would bear male child and she should name him Francis. It happened as he said. At present Francis is settled in Eluru. 

Next day, along with Brother Joseph Thamby, we visited all the houses in the parish village. We saw Gujjula Jwannesu was narrating the story (Ramayana) to the people. By seeing Brother Joseph Thamby, all people went away from there. Gujjula Jwannesu stayed back. Brother Joseph Thamby asked him to open his mouth and made the sign of the Cross. The he lost his speech. Next day all his family came for Mass and requested Brother Joseph Thamby to give back the speech. Again he made the sign of the Cross and Gujjula Jwannesu regained his speech. 

TESTIMONY 17

TESTIMONY 17

Name: Mr. Venkata Ratnam 

Surname: Kaile 

Date of Birth: 75 years old 

Profession / Occupation: Retired Teacher 

Address: Kaile Immanuel, Krishnavaram, Avutapally parish, Unguturu Mandal, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh State 

Relationship: Direct Witness; native of Krishnavaram village, a sub-station to Avutapally parish. He met Brother Joseph Thamby personally.

In the month of April of 1944, Brother Joseph Thamby came to Krishnavaram village. It was in the evening around 3 to 4. As he came, in front of the Church, people kept chair for him to sit because people of the village knew him already. I went to the Church along with others to see Brother Joseph Thamby. I have already heard that he was doing miracles like healing people from their sickness. I also have heard of his stigmata. I was 10 years old. Brother Joseph Thamby asked me to get a glass of butter-milk. I went and told my mother and she gave a glass of butter-milk. I brought butter-milk and along with some ground-nuts and gave it to Brother Joseph Thamby. 

Afterwards, Brother Joseph Thamby taught and explained to us about the greatness of prayer and doing charity. After that, I never saw him again. But I heard that he died on 15 January 1945. This is my experience. 

Kaile Venkata Ratnam

Kaile Venkata Ratnam

TESTIMONY 18

TESTIMONY 18

Name: Mr. Rayappa 

Surname: Thullimalli 

Date of Birth: 1 January 1930 

Profession / Occupation: Retired Teacher in Avutapally 

Address: Thullimalli Rayappa, Telaprolu Village and Post, Unguturu Mandal, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh State

My mother, namely, Thullimalli Mariamma was a Hindu before her marriage. During her marriage, she received baptism and joined the Catholic Church. Before I was born, my mother gave birth to three male children and all of them died. Then she was wearing a talisman to her hand. 

One day, Brother Joseph Thamby was passing in front of our house and he called my mother. Then he told that there is a Satan in the house. Then she removed the talisman and hid behind a pot. Brother Joseph Thamby went inside the house and straightaway to the pot and took out the talisman. He asked her why she had that and he said that this is the Satan that you brought into your house. Then she told him about her three children. 

There was a small boy in the house, namely, Arogyam who was suffering from severe stomach pain. Then Brother Joseph Thamby prayed over the boy’s stomach making the sign of the Cross. Immediately, the boy was well with good health. He is in a great position now. 

In Chikkavaram village, a man called Choudhry had a big wound on his hand. The Head Master of the RCM School, namely, Mr. Joseph advised him to meet Brother Joseph Thamby. Mr. Choudhry came to Avutapally and found Brother Joseph Thamby there. I too was there with Brother Joseph Thamby that time and I explained to Brother about Mr. Choudhry. Brother Joseph Thamby asked him, “Do you believe in Jesus Christ?” The man replied that he believes. Then Brother asked him to show the hand. He showed the hand. Brother made medicine with some leaves and tied and asked him to come after three days. The man came to Avutapally after three days. When it was untied, miraculously, the wound was completely healed. Brother told that this man has not received Baptism but he believed in Christ. When Brother Joseph Thamby died, this man gave a witness about the favour that he received. 

I have also seen Brother Joseph Thamby receiving the stigmata. I used to help him that time, making him lay down on the bed and doing other works. 

Thullimalli Rayappa

Thullimalli Rayappa

TESTIMONY 19

TESTIMONY 19

Name: Mr. Joseph 

Surname: Vanamala, S/o. Rangaiah 

Date of Birth: 63 years old 

Profession / Occupation: Retired Teacher / Catechist 

Address: Kodurupadu Village and Post, H. No. 3-17, Bapulapadu Mandal, Krishna District – 521 110, Andhra Pradesh State 

I was ten years old. One day, our village elders, namely, Rentapalli Shanthaiah, Dasari Devasahayam, Vemuri Showraiah, Ponugumati Maddiramaiah and Kondru Musalaiah were talking about Brother Joseph Thamby. I heard them speaking about the stigmata of Brother Joseph Thamby. I was a Hindu and I wanted to become a Christian through the prayers of Brother Joseph Thamby. I have received baptism. Since then, I have been a Catholic Christian. I have been working as Catechist – Teacher in Veeravalli village. 

My younger daughter, namely, Vanamala Samatha Vani was married to Karre Sudheer Kumar, resident of Ajitsingh Nagar in Vijayawada. They had a girl child and were expecting for a second child. Her husband was threatening her saying, ‘if not male child next time, I shall not accept you’. In this situation, I along with my family visited the tomb of Brother Joseph Thamby and prayed there. She joined the Pinnamaneni Siddhartha hospital for the delivery on Wednesday, 11 June 2008. Being taken to the operation theatre, my daughter was so much frightened and trembling was asking me whether she would give birth to a male child. I consoled her saying, ‘it is all God’s will and the goodness of Brother Joseph Thamby’. By the miraculous intercessory prayers of Brother Joseph Thamby, my daughter gave birth to a male child. We named the boy as Thamby Prakash. This is my great witness and it is very true. 

Vanamala Joseph

Vanamala Joseph

TESTIMONY 20

TESTIMONY 20

Name: Ms. Vijayamma (Veronikamma) 

Surname: Kanagala, W/o Joseph (Siva Ramakrishna) 

Date of Birth: 82 years 

Profession / Occupation: Housewife 

Address: C/o Boyapati Balaswamy, Avutapally Village, Unguturu Mandal, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh State 

Relationship: Direct Witness. She is a native of Avutapally village and daughter of Boyapati Francis (Basavayya). She knew Brother Joseph Thamby personally and witnessed his death.

When I was studying third standard, my great grand-mother fell down and broke her left leg ankle. There was no proper hospital in the village. Brother Joseph Thamby then recently came to Avutapally and took his residence. My father Boyapati Basavayya who heard about Thamby came to Fr. Calderaro [the then parish priest of Avutapally] and told about the incident and requested to send Brother Joseph Thamby to his house for prayer. But, instead Fr. Calderaro sent a doctor from the hospital there along with his cook Mr. Showry. Doctor checked her leg and said that he could do anything about it. He tied the leg with four bamboo sticks. Then they left. After 15 minutes, Brother Joseph Thamby and Mr. Showry came to our house. As soon as they reached the house, Brother Joseph Thamby said that there were three Satan in the house and he would not enter inside the house. Then my great grand-mother was brought outside the house and Brother Joseph Thamby made the Sign of the Cross and prayed over her. Instantly, her pain disappeared and she was fine. She sat down and then she was able to walk. Soon she took baptism and lived with great faith in Jesus. She was named as Elizabeth. My maternal uncle, namely, Vemuri Subbayya took her to his house in Manikonda. She lived there till her death. 

TESTIMONY 21

TESTIMONY 21

Name: Ms. Manoharamma 

Surname: Tadepalli 

Date of Birth: 81 years old 

Profession / Occupation: Retired Teacher 

Address: Tadepalli Manoharamma, Kodurupadu Post, Bapulapadu Mandal, Krishna District - 521 110, Andhra Pradesh State 

Relationship: Direct Witness. Native of Krishnavaram and she met Brother Joseph Thamby personally.

I was 18 years old when I saw Brother Joseph Thamby for the first time. He came to our house and asked for a glass of butter-milk. He was on 40 day fast. Thereafter I had seen him several times but had no much personal contact with him. 

In 1954, after his death, my son, namely Joseph Showry, just 15 days old was at the point of death. I prayed at the tomb of Brother Joseph Thamby. My son was saved through his intercessory prayers. 

I also had once back pain and was cured through the intercessory prayers of Brother Joseph Thamby. I also prayed at his tomb when our buffalo was not well and was cured. 

Tadepalli Manoharamma

Tadepalli Manoharamma

TESTIMONY 22

TESTIMONY 22

Name: James Lord Bernard Shah, S/o Henry 

Surname: Gogulamudi 

Date of Birth: 26 January 1950 

Profession / Occupation: Retired 

Address: Ranigari Thota, Door No. 41-28/1-39-40, Vijayawada, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh State 

Telephone Number: 9885164436 

Relationship: Native of Prodduturu village, a sub- station to Uppaluru parish in Kankipadu Mandal. He has not seen Brother Joseph Thamby, but witnessing the miraculous event by Brother Joseph Thamby narrated to him by his father.

I come from Prodduturu village. At present, residing in Vijayawada. One day, my father, namely, Henry was plucking some country plums from the tree that was in front of the house. At that time, Brother Joseph Thamby came to the village for the prayer. He asked my father to give him some plums to eat. My father gave a fistful of plums to Brother Joseph Thamby. As he was going in the village, Thamby distributed to everyone whom he met a fistful of plums. When my father heard about this later, he was surprised at the miraculous incident. My father used to say about this miracle. 

James Lord Bernard Shah

James Lord Bernard Shah