TESTIMONY 23

TESTIMONY 23

Name: Ms. Suvartamma 

Surname: Dasari, W/o. Prasada Rao 

Date of Birth: 78 years old 

Profession / Occupation: Coolie (Daily labour) 

Address: Dasari Suvarthamma, Kesarapally Post, Gannavaram Mandal, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh State 

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

While Brother Joseph Thamby was living in Kesarapalli village, I used to go along with him for prayers. He used to gather all the children in the village and lead them to the Church for prayer. Thamby used to go for daily labour along with my father. He used to distribute clothes to the poor. If some theft takes place in any of the houses in the village, he used to tell the people around him immediately.  

Dasari Suvarthamma

Dasari Suvarthamma

TESTIMONY 24

TESTIMONY 24

Name: Mr. Sri Ramulu (Joji Babu) 

Surname: Vemu 

Date of Birth: 76 years old 

Profession / Occupation: Coolie (daily labour) 

Address: Vemu Joji Babu, Kesarapally Post, Gannavaram Mandal, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh State 

Relationship: Direct Witness. Native of Kesarapally and he met Brother Joseph Thamby personally. 

While he was living in our village, Kesarapalli, he used to distribute sweets to the children. Sometimes, when he was not giving sweets to some of us children, we used to throw stones at him. 

One day I stole a wooden Cross from the house where he was residing. I hid it behind a pot in my house. When he saw me, he told that I had stolen the wooden Cross from his room and hid it behind the pot in my house and told me to go and get it. I was really shocked to hear that. I wondered how he would know about what I did. Immediately, I went home and gave the wooden cross to him. He immediately gave the Cross back to me. 

Once he healed a man with elephantiasis on his leg praying over him. He used to pray every day 3-4 hours. 

He went away from Kesarapalli village and made his residence in Avutapalli village. I heard that he got Stigmata and also he did so many miracles. 

Vemu Sriramulu (Joji Babu)

Vemu Sriramulu (Joji Babu)

TESTIMONY 25

TESTIMONY 25

Name: Mr. Rama Koti 

Surname: Pika, S/o Prakasam 

Date of Birth: 85 years. 

Profession / Occupation: Farmer 

Address: Kesarapally Village and Post, Gannavaram Mandal, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh 

Relationship: Direct Witness; native of Kesarapally village. He met Brother Joseph Thamby in Kesarapally village.

Brother Joseph Thamby was staying in Kesarapalli Village. At that time I used to hire daily labourers to work in the field. One day, I called also Brother Joseph Thamby for work. He came with us and worked in the field. The money that he earned by working, he used to give to the poor. He never bought anything for himself, not even clothes. 

He had elephantiasis on one of his legs, had rough beard and used to wear a long shirt. 

We were Hindus at first. It is because of Brother Joseph Thamby, we received Baptism. Since then me and Thamby were good friends. 

One day, we went to work in the sugarcane field. As he was working, suddenly, he stopped working and told us that a person called Mangali Kotaiah entered his house in the village and stole rice, hen, and money. When we came home and found it was true, exactly as he said. We all believed in him. 

We now live as Catholic believers. Through him, many miracles are taking place. I have very good health even today, because of the intercessory prayers of Thamby. 

Pika Rama Koti

Pika Rama Koti

TESTIMONY 26

TESTIMONY 26

Name: Mr. Melchior 

Surname: Madanu, S/o Madanu Showry (Vanta Showry) 

Date of Birth: 26 January 1950 

Profession / Occupation: Retired Teacher 

Address: Avutapally, Unguturu Mandal, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh 

Relationship: Native of Avutapally village, son of Madanu Showry the cook of Fr. J. B. Calderaro, the parish priest of Avutapally. He heard about Brother Joseph Thamby from his father who had direct contact with the Servant of God.

1. Brother Joseph Thamby cured the leg pain of the grandmother of Boyapati Claramma by making the Sign of the Cross. 

2. As told by Nancharamma, the wife of Gogineni Paramdhamayya in Manikonda: their elder daughter, named, Shasheela was cured of paralysis after seeking the prayers of Brother Joseph Thamby. A case against Paramdhamayya was filed out of jealousy by the Lorry Association blaming him that he had taken the money. He has told Brother Joseph Thamby that it was not true and he was innocent. Brother Joseph Thamby, knowing well what is true, appeared to the judge in a dream, and thus proved that Paramdhamayya was innocent. 

3. A person from Dawajigudem suffering from a 4 inch deep wound on his leg came to Brother Joseph Thamby. He licked the wound with his tongue and tied the wound with some kind of leaves and asked him to come after 3 days. After 3 days, when he came, Brother Joseph Thamby was not there and so my father [Madanu Showry] and Fr. Calderaro untied the bandage and found that the wound was completely healed. Fr. Calderaro who had not so much trust in Thamby began to believe him from that day onwards. 

TESTIMONY 27

TESTIMONY 27

Name: Ms. Annamma 

Surname: Putla, W/o. Elisha 

Date of Birth: 87 years old 

Profession / Occupation: Retired Teacher 

Address: H. No. 32-34-57, Maszeed Street, Opp. S. R. R. College, Machavaram, Vijayawada, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh State 

Relationship: Direct Witness. She also shares the experience of her husband Mr. Elisha with Brother Joseph Thamby.

My husband, namely Mr. Elisha and I were working as teachers in Kodurupadu village, but were residing in Kesarapalli village. 

One day, in the morning, Brother Joseph Thamby came to my husband and told that Fr. Calderaro is calling. There was a celebration in sisters’ convent in Avutapalli village. Fr. Calderaro wanted to buy a goat and so asked my husband to come to help. At that time I had a high fever and my two children were severely sick. Because of this situation, my husband told Brother Joseph Thamby that he would not leave the house. Brother Thamby left. My husband had a great respect for Fr. Calderaro and so he decided to go to Avutapalli and he left immediately. When he reached there, Fr. Calderaro was angry on my husband. 

After finishing the work called for, as my husband was returning from Avutapalli, he heard Brother Joseph Thamby calling from his room, ‘Elisha, Elisha’. My husband went and saw that Brother Joseph Thamby got Stigmata and was in great pain because of the wounds. My husband was very sad seeing Brother Joseph Thamby. 

Afterwards, Brother Joseph Thamby told Mr. Elisha that he would die on a certain day. Mr. Elisha laughed upon hearing this. But he died exactly on the day he foretold. This is true. 

Putla Annamma

Putla Annamma

TESTIMONY 28

TESTIMONY 28

Name: Francis Xavier 

Surname: Putla, S/o Elisha and Annamma 

Date of Birth: 16 January 1940 

Profession / Occupation: Retired Commercial Inspector 

Address: H. No. 32-34-57, Maszeed Street, Opp. S.R.R. College, Machavaram, Vijayawada, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh 

Relationship: His parents are direct witnesses. He heard many things about Brother Joseph Thamby from his father.

[Mr. Putla Francis Xavier heard many things about Brother Joseph Thamby from his father Mr. Elisha, who had direct contact with the Servant of God. Here he shares the favour he had received through the intercessory prayers of the Servant of God. He also shares a favour that he heard from a family in Kesarapalli village] 

I had my first daughter, namely, Shanthi Francis, born premature and died soon. My wife was shocked at our daughter’s death and took six months to recover. Then she had acute stomach pain due to appendicitis. We took her to Gandhi hospital. She had to undergo an operation. During the operation the fallopian tube was cut and as a result she could not conceive. 

After sometime, we both visited the tomb of Brother Joseph Thamby and slept there for a night and prayed. Now we are blessed with two children. 

I know a family very well in Kesarapalli village. They had no children for long time. They told me that they had met Brother Joseph Thamby. He told them to pray with devotion and they would have children. Then he prayed over them. Within a year, they had a child.  

Putla Francis Xavier

Putla Francis Xavier

TESTIMONY 29

TESTIMONY 29

Name: Francis 

Surname: Boyapati 

Date & Place of Birth: 16 January 1897 (73 years old), Avutapally 

Address: Boyapati Francis, Calderaro Nagar, Avutapally Village and Post, Unguturu Mandal, Vijayawada, Krishna District 

Relationship: Direct Witness. Boyapati Francis (Basavayya) and his wife (Sitaramamma) Claramma have accepted Christian faith and were baptized on 22 July 1939 due to Brother Joseph Thamby’s proclamation of God’s word to them. 

Date of Interview: 1970 –Interviewed by Fr. Avito Pottukulam, OFM Cap, Parish Priest of Avutapally. He wrote the first biography, “A Short Biography of Brother Joseph Thamby” in 1972. 

Grandmother of my wife (Claramma’s paternal grandmother), Temuri Subbamma, had broken her leg and was suffering severely due to pain and swelling. So we brought her to our home and wrapped her leg with clothes. As the leg of the elderly woman became swollen severely, the father of my servant came to my house to see her condition. He told us that there is a certain monk (Brother Joseph Thamby) living near the Church in Avutapally; that he had seen him playing badminton with the parish priest (Fr. J. B. Calderaro). As they were playing, snake bit him. He said that it would not do any harm to him. 

Realizing that the monk was a very special kind of person, I went and requested the priest to send that monk to my house. The priest, Fr. Calderaro said: “He is not here; I will send him to your home when he comes”. I went home and we waited for the monk. After some time he came to my house. When we asked him to do something for the elderly woman, he said: ‘There are three evil spirits in your house. I would not enter unless with the permission of the Father’. So I went again to the Church and asked the permission. The priest said: ‘Do not worry; permission is granted; you can go.’ I came back home hasting and told the monk about it all. Soon he entered the house, blessed the patient and went away. 

TESTIMONY 30

TESTIMONY 30

Name: Antony 

Surname: Pulleli 

Date of Birth: 6 February 1933 

Address: Kesarapally Village, Gannavaram, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh State 

Relationship: Direct Witness 

Date of Written Witness: 01-01-1968 – Interviewed by Fr. Avito Pottukulam OFM Cap who wrote the first biography, “A Short Biography of Brother Joseph Thamby” in 1971. He was interviewed a second time on 23 March 1998 by Fr. Cherian Chemplany OFM Cap.

My name is Antony Pulleli from Kesarapally village. My father’s name is Rayappa and mother is Mariamma. I am now 65 years old now. I was 10 years old when I met Brother Joseph Thamby in Kesarapally. I was studying 5th standard. Whatever happened from that time I remember very well. He was very close with my family as if he was one of my family members. Ours was a big family and Brother Joseph Thamby used to eat in our house. He lived in a small hut built by my father in our compound, just opposite to the Church. My father used to see Brother often kneeling and praying even in the night. He liked my father very much. My father was also one of the village elders. He also liked small children as well as elders. He used to go to work in our fields along with my father. He was very close with my family that he himself served food to us sometimes. Now and then he himself cooked for us. Once prepared coconut chutney and asked us to taste. All of us said that it was very nice and ate it. 

Now everybody loved him; I felt a liking for him and one kind of attraction towards him. He used to give sweets to all, especially children, ladies, gentlemen and old ones who came into the Church on Fridays, Sundays and Wednesdays. He invited some people to listen to his talks. I saw with my own eyes that when he was giving talks, blood came out from his forehead, hands and feet. He wiped it with his hanky. He used to wear lungi, lalchi and always very simple dress. 

TESTIMONY 31

TESTIMONY 31

Name: Rayappa 

Surname: Pulleli 

Address: Kesarapally Village, Gannavaram, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh State 

Relationship: Direct Witness 

Date of Written Witness: 01-01-1968 – Interviewed by Fr. Avito Pottukulam OFM Cap. 

I believe that Brother Joseph Thamby had great Faith and could see things as God sees. One day my father Antony Pulleli, (Witness I), Brother Joseph Thamby and other two workers were cutting Sugar cane in the fields. At about 12oclock, Brother Joseph Thamby looking at the sky Shouted: ‘Robbery’ saying so he threw the cutter there, and ran to his hut. He came to know that groundnuts, rice and chili powder were stolen. In the evening after coming from the field, my father asked Brother Joseph Thamby: ‘What was the matter?’ He said ‘The above things were gone’. He also mentioned the name of the robber. When my father asked that particular person he admitted his theft. What he said looking at the sky had truly happened. 

I could observe that the Servant of God was a man of great fortitude. Once Brother Joseph Thamby was working in the field; there was a snake under his feet. When he heard, ‘Joseph, take out your feet’, then he saw a snake under his feet, when he took out his feet that snake went off. It did not touch him. Brother Joseph Thamby himself told the above incident. I myself heard from his mouth. 

Mr. Rayappa Pulleli 

Dated: 1/1/1968

TESTIMONY 32

TESTIMONY 32

Name: Mariamma 

Surname: Pulleli 

Address: Kesarapally Village, Gannavaram, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh State 

Relationship: Direct Witness 

Date of Written Witness: 01-01-1968 – Interviewed by Fr. Avito Pottukulam OFM Cap. 

As far as I have understood, the Servant of God had great fortitude in facing dangerous situations. Once, in Avutapally, Brother Joseph Thamby was sitting in a Jeep. There was a snake under the Jeep. It bit him. He tried to kill the snake. But he could not do so. Then he chewed the leaves. The poison didn’t spread. It did not do any harm. He felt as though an ant bit him. He himself revealed this incident. 

I have witnessed that the Servant of God had many extraordinary gifts. He had the gift of multiplying food and giving to people who were in need. Once, a feast was celebrated in Avutapally. Some people came from Kesarapalli for the feast. Brother Joseph Thamby cooked Teegalu and gave to many people (one or two to every person). He cooked only a few. All the people praised him as he was miraculously giving to many people those few. Also he cooked (solid) half kilo rice. Nine members … (he heard other say); that rice could be enough to one or two persons only. But all the nine members ate it. He did it miraculously because such was his faith in God. This mater spread throughout Avutapally. 

TESTIMONY 33

TESTIMONY 33

Name: Marianna 

Surname: Mathangi 

Date & Place of Birth: Kesarapally Village 

Address: Machavaram, Vijayawada, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh State 

Relationship: Direct Witness. 

Date of Written Witness: 13-01-1968

Brother Joseph Thamby came to St. Anthony’s Church at Kesarapalli village in 1938. Mr. Daya Samuel, Head Master of the school there saw Brother Joseph Thamby and thought to be a mad man, chased him away from the church premises. 

Afterwards, Brother Joseph Thamby was drying his wet clothes, Bible and the rosary behind the Church. After the school, when the Head Master saw it, sent me to see him; soon realized that he is a Catholic and then I was asked to take care of his needs. Brother Joseph Thamby by the time knew no Telugu and so I made signs to make arrangements what he needed like food…etc. 

Then, I taught Brother Joseph Thamby Telugu almost every day. When he learned Telugu so well, he began to catechize people in the village. He used to be very pious and devotional towards the matters concerning the Church and God. On every Tuesday evening, he used to make people to recite the prayers to St. Antony. He used to enquire about the difficulties of people in the village. If any one bitten by poisonous creatures, he used to treat them with some leaves, whatever is available at his sight and asks them to take it with faith; they used to get relief out of it. Some did not believe this and used to think that he is able to do all these with some kind of magic. Even Fr. John Calderaro, the parish priest of Avutapally had suspicion regarding the works of Brother Joseph Thamby, but later seeing the miraculous works in other villages; he too believed and took Brother Joseph Thamby to Avutapally. 

TESTIMONY 34

TESTIMONY 34

Name: Mr. Arogya Showrilu 

Surname: Vemuri 

Name of the Wife: Susheelyamma Vemuri 

Date & Place of Birth: Manikonda Village 

Address: Manikonda Village, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh State 

Relationship: Direct Witness. 

Date of Written Witness: 14-01-1968

I was suffering from stomach pain, indigestion, cataract loss for 6 months. I have consulted many doctors but not cured. In 1939 in the month of September, I went to Peddavutapally to the house of my brother-in-law, Boyapati Francis and my sister Claramma. By the time, they were baptized with the help of Brother Joseph Thamby and became Christians. Before that they were Hindus. They had female children but no male child. They asked Brother Joseph Thamby to pray for a male child. He said that they had to believe in Mother Mary and recite Rosary every day and having devotion to Jesus they had to come to the Church on every Sunday, participate in the Mass and receive Holy Communion. He blessed them saying that they would soon have a male child and he went away. He built an altar in their house with his own hands and kept a statue of St. Francis of Assisi. When I came to their house, I told to my sister Claramma about my sickness. She asked me, “Do not worry about sickness, it will go; but will you accept Christ afterwards?” I gave her a word that I would receive baptism. She prayed for 9 weeks fasting on every Friday. I was soon cured. We went back to Manikonda village. With us came Boyapati Francis, Claramma and others from Peddavutapally to Manikonda. I have decided to build an altar at home. 

TESTIMONY 35

TESTIMONY 35

Name: Fr. Balaswamy
Surname: P.
Address: R.C. Mission. Pathareddipalem, Via-Chebrole, Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh State
Relationship: Direct Witness.
Date of Written Witness: 24-04-1968

 

R. C. Mission 

Pathareddipalem 

Via-Chebrole 

Guntur Dt. 

Andhra Pradesh 

S. India 

Date 24-04-1968

Regarding Brother Joseph Thamby, I have observed myself the following:

1. I have wiped the blood oozing from his two hands. He took a promise from me not to tell anyone about this.

2. Once while he was eating with me, I tasted the fish curry and it was very bitter and I told the samething to Brother Joseph Thamby. He told me to take again from the same vessel and taste. I did as he told and found that the fish curry was tasty.

3. He always used to feed people with food.

4. Once he came to see me and no one wished him. He then soon left me and went away.

TESTIMONY 36

TESTIMONY 36

Name: Mr. Joseph 

Surname: Vallabhapurapu 

Date & Place of Birth: Peddavutapally 

Address: Peddavutapally Village, Vijayawada, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh State 

Relationship: Direct Witness 

Date of Written Witness: 06-05-1968

Brother Joseph Thamby used to tell that he is from Pondicherry, Madras state. He told that he had a brother. I worked as teacher in CSI mission school in Peddavutapally. I was sent to this school on 10 August 1936. After 2 to 3 years of my coming to this village, Brother Joseph Thamby came to Peddavutapally and took his residence here with the help of the parish priest Fr. John Calderaro. Sometimes, he used to come to me with the letters that he received in English. I used to read them for him and reply for him in English. This is how we both became very close. Observing his holy life, I used to honor him as the Servant of God. 

Seeing Brother Joseph Thamby a holy man, Devarapalli Devadanam once invited Brother Joseph Thamby to his house for prayer. Together with Brother Joseph Thamby, I and Nallamothu Daniel and Muvva Jeevarathnam went to the house. At the arrival of the entrance of the house of Devarapalli Devadanam, Brother Joseph Thamby said, ‘there is a Satan in your house, I shall not enter’. Devadanam replied, ‘there is no satan in my house’. Brother Joseph Thamby pointing his finger said ‘go and bring the clothesline or the rope’. We went and saw but could not find it. We told the same to Brother Joseph Thamby. He said ‘it is hanging on the wall, go and bring’. We went again and found the talisman hanging on the wall and brought to him. Then he went inside the house and prayed. We all were surprised about this and went home. 

TESTIMONY 37

TESTIMONY 37

Name: Mr. Elisha 

Surname: Putla 

Date & Place of Birth: Kesarapally Village 

Address: Kesarapally Village, Gannavaram, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh State 

Relationship: Direct Witness 

Date of Written Witness: 1968

In 1944, I was working as Catechist in Kodurupadu village. My wife had fever and was shivering. I covered the bed sheet and sat there. Brother Joseph Thamby came and asked me to come with him to Kishtavaram village. I told him that my wife was sick and I cannot come now. Then he was going alone to that village. My wife immediately said to go with him. I started 5 minutes late and by running I joined him on the way. 

We both went to Kishtavaram village and took one sheep for free from Golla Venkatramaiah and returned to Peddavutapally at 10o clock in the night. Next day when I reached back my home, my wife was well. I asked her when her fever left. She said yesterday the moment you met Brother Joseph Thamby, my fever left. We realized that it was his miracle. 

I also witness that Brother Joseph Thamby was a very good person and used to feed many people who came to him. Once I met him in Peddavutapally at 10o clock in the night. He asked me whether I had my meals and I replied that I did not have my meals. 

He went inside the house and brought porridge and I drank half and the rest he kept inside the house. On another occasion, he gave me his Dhoti. I wore it till 2 years after his death. 

Mr. Putla Elisha 

Kesarapally 

TESTIMONY 38

TESTIMONY 38

Name: Mr. Showry 

Surname: Kuraganti 

Date & Place of Birth: Kesarapally Village 

Address: Kesarapally Village, Gannavaram, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh State 

Relationship: Direct Witness 

Date of Written Witness: 1968

I met Brother Joseph Thamby in Kesarapally village. I used to be very close with him and help him to draw the water and used to do other works for him. 

One day, my wife and another woman namely Itta Anjalamma both pregnant were near the Church. Brother Joseph Thamby told to Itta Anjalamma that she would give birth to a boy and should name him Jwannes. He did not tell to anything to my wife. We also had a baby boy and he is fine. As he said Itta Anjalamma had a baby boy. 

I had a relative Soushilyamma in Vanukuru village. She had no children. She used to have always stomach ache and looked like possessed by the devil. Many Talismans were tied to her. 

TESTIMONY 39

TESTIMONY 39

Name: Ms. Agnes 

Surname: Thelagathoti, W/o Paul Thelagathoti 

Mother: Leyamma Kureti 

Profession / Occupation: R.C.M. School Teacher 

Date & Place of Birth: Prodduturu Village 

Address: R.C.M. School, Manikonda Village, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh State 

Relationship: Direct Witness 

Date of Written Witness: 1968

Thelagathoti Paul, my husband was a teacher in R.C.M. School in Manikonda. For the feast on 24 December 1944, he stitched a new shirt without the knowledge me his wife. He wore it also on 26 December and on 27th morning as he was getting fresh up, his leg slipped and fell down and injured on the wrist of his right hand. We have not done anything on that day. But next day, he experienced severe pain. His mother-in-law Kudari Leyamma [my mother] took him to the doctor known to her, but the pain did not reduce. 

His mother-in-law told him that we would go to Brother Joseph Thamby in Peddavutapally who was healing many sick people. As soon as Brother Joseph Thamby saw us, laughed and said to Paul, “You stitched a shirt without telling your wife. It is ok and do not repeat it.” We all were surprised how he would know this. He applied the oil on the hand and tied it. He told to recite three rosaries every day. It is 10 miles from Peddavutapally to Manikonda. On our way back, Paul experienced that the pain reduced. In few days’ time, the pain completely reduced and his hand was fine. 

TESTIMONY 40

TESTIMONY 40

Name: Ms. Josephinamma 

Surname: Pavuluri 

Date & Place of Birth: Ajjampudi 

Address: Kesarapally Village, Vijayawada, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh State 

Relationship: Direct Witness Date of Written Witness : 1968

Around 28 years ago, in a summer, Brother Joseph Thamby came to our village. He came running and we around 10 of us sitting outside the Church. Children thought that he was a mad man and chased him, that is why he was coming there running. We rebuked the children. One of us brought milk for him without adding sugar or jaggary. We said it was not available. 

Then Brother Joseph Thamby told me, “Amma [mother], will you bring the little jaggary that you have in your house?” I replied him, “there is no jaggary in my house”. He told me again loudly that there is jaggary in a box in the second shelf. I was so surprised. Everyone looked at me and asked me to go home and check it. As I looked for jaggary I found it in the exact place told by Brother Joseph Thamby. 

Then I had no words to say anything. Surprised in my heart, I brought the jaggary and gave to Brother Joseph Thamby. He drank the milk. At that time, we did not take notice of that miracle. He did many miracles of this sort in many places. 

Pavuluri Josephinamma

TESTIMONY 41

TESTIMONY 41

Name: Mr. Sundararao 

Surname: Yaramu 

Date & Place of Birth: Eluru 

Address: Central Excise, Eluru, West Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh State 

Relationship: Direct Witness 

Date of Written Witness: 1968

I am writing this with the experience I had with Brother Joseph Thamby. My name is Yaramu Sundararao. Before he took a permanent residence in Peddavutapally, Brother Joseph Thamby for some time lived in a hut in Telaprolu village near R.C.M. Church. In those days, my aunt was working in a hospital in Telaprolu village. I used to stay in Telaprolu village with my aunt and uncle. 

One day when I was sick, I was taken to Brother Joseph Thamby who gave black powder. I took it in my mouth and after 10 minutes I was feeling well. He used to come to our house very often. He told me to come with him for he wanted to educate me and sent me for priesthood. I did not know anything at that time and because of my ignorance, I did not go. I feel sorry for that even today. 

TESTIMONY 42

TESTIMONY 42

Name: Mr. Michaelu 

Surname: Baluguri 

Date & Place of Birth: Kesarapally Village 

Address: Kesarapally Village, Gannavaram, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh State 

Relationship: Direct Witness 

Date of Written Witness: 1968

I saw Brother Joseph Thamby for the first time at the Church in Kesarapally in 1939. One day we, the labour were working in a field. He also joined us for work. As he was working, suddenly he stood, looking at the sky was saying, “What! Am I stamping on the snake?” (As if someone was talking to him from the sky). Then we all came near to him and saw. As he lifted his leg, a cobra snake went away. We all were surprised at this incident. He heard a voice from the sky, but we did not hear anything. Later also he did many wonders like this and we all thought that he was a grate saint. 

One day, looking at my face, he said that I was planning to sin with a woman and even he told the name of that woman. I examined my conscience and I repented over it. I thanked God for saving me from this sin through Brother Joseph Thamby. I remember this throughout my life. 

In 1944, while he was residing in Peddavutapally, he used to visit so many villages in and around. One day he came to our Kesarapally village. He came to my house and called me by name. I came out and stood in front of him. Looking at my face, he said, “You are tempted by Satan, you fell into sin.” I was shocked and surprised about how he knew about that. He stretched out his hand and prayed over me and said, “You will sin no more.” I received his blessings whole heartedly and since then I was away from any temptation or bad thoughts. 

Mr. Baluguri Michaelu 

Kesarapally Village 1968

TESTIMONY 43

TESTIMONY 43

Name: Mr. Suryanarayana 

Surname: Mamilla 

Name of Wife: Mangamma Mamilla 

Profession / Occupation: Cloth Merchant, Tailor 

Date & Place of Birth: Kesarapally Village 

Address: Kesarapally Village, Vijayawada, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh State 

Relationship: Direct Witness 

Date of Written Witness: 1968

In 1942, Brother Joseph Thamby came to my shop asking to stitch one torn sack. I was busy with some other works and so he himself stitched on the machine. He asked for food and I took him to my house and my wife gave him food. As he was eating, there was a dog near him and half of the meals he gave to the dog. 

I realized him as a great man and gave shelter in my house. He stayed with us for three days. I have cloth business and tailoring shop. I have no children. I am a Hindu and devoted person. Every day night, I had the habit of participating in the Hindu chants at the temple. One day, Thamby asked me to stay back, but I went to the temple not caring his request. Since I was not at home, he also went away. On another day, he came and told that he was going to Himalayas for meditation. Since I am also devoted, I expressed my desire to go with him. He advised me that it is not good to leave the family and the business. He told that he would return back. 

In three years’ time, I have constructed a nice bungalow. One day, Brother Joseph Thamby came in front of the building and stood there looking at me. I have not observed him and was talking with someone. Then he greeted me. This time he was wearing saffron color clothes and had a beard. That is why I could not recognize him at first. 

TESTIMONY 44

TESTIMONY 44

Names: Mr. Hanaswamy S., 

Mr. Michael K.R., 

Mr. Arogyaswamy A., 

Fr. Athirupam (Parish Priest, Kothapalayam, Tamilnadu State) 

Address: Manathidal Village, Tamilnadu State 

Relationship: Direct Witnesses 

Date of Written Witness: 1968

The following are the witnesses about Brother Joseph Thamby who was at Manathidal, Kothapalayam and Pachamalai in Tamilnadu state: 

1. Hanaswamy S., Manathidal, Tamilnadu State 

2. Michael K.R., Manathidal, Tamilnadu State 

3. A. Arogyaswamy, teacher at Manathidal, Tamilnadu State 

4. Fr. Athirupam, Parish priest, Kothapalayam, Tamilnadu State 

According to Hanaswamy S., (native of Manathidal), about the year 1933-34, Brother Joseph Thamby came to Manathidal with two boys (one boy's name is mentioned as Cassian) and established the Third Order. First members joined were the mother of Hanaswamy and another woman. Since Manathidal was not yet a parish, Brother Joseph Thamby used to take people to Michaelpetty parish church to attend Mass. At that time, Fr. Gnanadhikyam was the parish priest. He went to the Bishop requesting for a priest to stay at Manathidal and a priest was sent here. Almost three or four years he was here in Manathidal. 

TESTIMONY 45

TESTIMONY 45

Name: Sr. Gabrielle Mary Therese of Jesus OCD, Gabrielle Marie Antoinette Thamby 

Date of Birth: 7 February 1913, Pondicherry 

Professed: 14 October 1932 

Died: 5 October 1985 

Address: Carmel Convent, Muthialpet Post, Pondicherry – 605 003, Tamil Nadu, India 

Relationship: Niece of Brother Joseph Thamby 

Date of Written Witness: 1983 – Interviewed by Fr. Adolf Kannadipara OFM Cap, Provincial Delegate.

I am hailing from a good and pious family at Pondicherry as my father got an appointment by the French Government the whole family went to Saigon. At the age of 7, I lost my mother and consequently my father took me and my three younger brothers to Pondicherry and left to the care of a very pious and devoted aunt. I had my education from the French sisters of St. Joseph de Cluny. Soon I perceived the call of God and wanted to consecrate myself wholly to him in the solitude of Carmel on 31 January 1931. When I was 18 years old, I entered the Carmel at Pondicherry. From the very beginning, I endeavored to become a good and faithful religious and as such I remained till my death. 

I am the niece of Brother Joseph Thamby, a Franciscan Third order member and hermit who attended my perpetual profession in 1932. His cause may be introduced at Rome due to the numerous benefits and graces people obtain at his tomb at Avutapally – Andhra Pradesh – where he died stigmatized. 

TESTIMONY 46

TESTIMONY 46

Name: Rev. Mother Lantharch 

Address: St. Gnana Prakashiar Convent, Puduvai, Tamilnadu State 

Relationship: Niece of Brother Joseph Thamby 

Date of Written Witness: 25-04-1983

When we were in St. Gnana Prakashiar convent, Puduvai, Brother Joseph Thamby came with white shirt in 1926. He was around 40 years old and was begging to us. We doubted why he is begging since he is young and healthy. Then Brother Joseph Thamby said “Do not doubt about me I belong to this place; when I was 12 years old boy, I ran away from my home, without my father’s knowledge; even now they do not know who I am.” His style of life was quite simple. 

He was reading each one’s mind and telling to them what is in this mind. He met an elderly woman and told her about the money which is in her box. She said that she has nothing. But he said again, go and bring what is there. As he said she found the money (6 paisa) and gave to him. 

He was serviceable to all. He would never keep grudge against anyone. Rather, he readily forgave those who offended him or did evil to him or spoke ill of him. The following incidents prove these. 

TESTIMONY 47

TESTIMONY 47

Name: Mr. Prabhudas 

Surname: Thelagathoti 

Date & Place of Birth: 67 years old 

Address: Kankipadu Village, Vijayawada, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh State 

Relationship: Direct Witness 

Date of Written Witness: 1997

My name is Thelagathoti Prabhudas. I am a retired teacher from Kankipadu. Once Brother Joseph Thamby came to Manikonda village; I was 10 years old. He was teaching prayers to the village people and praying the Rosary with them in the Church. This is the first time I saw Brother Joseph Thamby. I did not know how to pray. I was standing far away with folded hands. Brother Joseph Thamby called me and asked, “What is your name?” I replied, “Prabhudas”. In the same village my brother and his wife are working as teachers. He asked them to bring a glass of water and they brought to him. Brother Joseph Thamby prayed over me and gave me a new name, Joseph Antony. He invited me to Peddavutapally and said that he would educate me. As he said, he used to bring all the necessary things to Manikonda for my education. I used to visit him in Peddavutapally during the holidays. 

Once I came to see him during holidays. On every Friday, morning at 8 a.m., he used to get stigmata. I used to bring white clothes on previous day and on Fridays I used to wipe the blood and used to keep the blood-stained clothes in a basket. Brother Joseph Thamby used to ask me to burn those clothes on Saturdays. He used to preserve the ashes and when someone was sick with theses ashes, he used to put the sign of the Cross on the foreheads of the sick. Those come with the stomach pain, he use to put the sign of the Cross on the stomach. If someone comes with their children with fever, he used to pray over them and heal them. 

TESTIMONY 48

TESTIMONY 48

Name: Mr. Francis 

Surname: Nandigam, S/o Abraham 

Date of Birth: 30-03-1938 

Place of Birth: Avutapally 

Profession / Occupation: Medical Practioner 

Address: RMS Colony, Door No. 1, R.R. Pet, Eluru, West Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh State 

Relationship: Indirect Witness 

Date of Written Witness: 06-11-2006

My Father had told me these things: When Brother Joseph Thamby came to our village for prayer; he used to visit the families after the prayer. My mother was pregnant when he visited our family. It seems that Brother Joseph Thamby had told my mother that she would give birth to a baby boy and she should name him Francis. Thus I was born and was given the name Francis. 

Brother Joseph Thamby was able to drink hot milk like cool water. Later I might have seen him, but I am not sure to remember since I was a small boy. 

Mr. Francis Nandigam

Dated: 06/11/2006

TESTIMONY 49

TESTIMONY 49

Name: Mr. Joseph Thamby 

Surname: M. 

Date & Place of Birth: 1954, Pondicherry 

Profession / Occupation: Business 

Address: Pondicherry, Tamilnadu State 

Relationship: Close relative of Brother Joseph Thamby 

Date of Interview: 24-03-1999 

I am Mr. M. Joseph Thamby, a close relative of Brother Joseph Thamby. I know Brother Joseph Thamby very well from my parents. I remember that when He used to come to Pondicherry on his holidays and visited our home several times and always stayed in our house. My mother was a fervent Christian and was devoted to him. She was delighted to offer hospitality to him. Every time he visited us, he used to live a few days in our house. Joseph and my mother used to have long conversation and they spoke of many things; but I do not remember anything of it in detail. I can truly state that Brother Joseph Thamby showed great interest in our spiritual life and conducted prayer meetings together with my mother and some of her friends. 

Brother Joseph Thamby got the stigmata on Fridays when he was in our house. I have not seen that; but my sister has seen it and she has shown me some cotton stained with his blood. I can witness that it is true. 

Mr. Joseph Thamby M. Dated: 24 March 1999

TESTIMONY 50

TESTIMONY 50

Name: Ms. Showrilu, W/o Mr. Parandhamaiah 

Surname: Vemuri 

Date of Birth: 92 years old 

Profession / Occupation: House wife 

Address: Manikonda Village, Unguturu Mandal, Krishan District, Andhra Pradesh State 

Relationship: Direct Witness 

Date of Written Witness: 13-11-2006

Servant of God had great love for God and lived a life of fervent prayer. My husband, Vemuri Parandhamaiah was the younger brother of Boyapati Claramma, wife of Boyapati Francis in Avutapally. He used to sell vegetables in the Verandah of our house in Manikonda village. Brother Joseph Thamby, since he is well associated with the Boyapati family in Avutapalli, he used to come to our house in Manikonda and sometimes in the nights he used to stay here to take rest. I was the one who gave food to him. Miraculously, the rice pot never used to be empty. One day, while he was taking rest in our house, I saw him kneeling and praying all through the night. 

He encouraged us to receive Baptism. He used to say things of the future. Once he asked us for a rupee. When it was given, he took it and went and gave the coin to a poor beggar. After that he came back and asked us alms again, but we did not give him. Without saying anything he left the place. 

TESTIMONY 51

TESTIMONY 51

Name: Mr. Showry 

Surname: Madanu 

Date of Birth: 01-03-1914 

Place of Birth: Peddavutapally 

Profession / Occupation: Cook of Fr. John B. Calderaro, parish priest of Peddavutapally from 1928-1969 

Address: Peddavutapally Village and Post, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh State 

Relationship: Direct Witness 

Date of Written Witness: 20-06-2006

Joseph Thamby had profound faith and trust in God. I became convinced of this when I saw him compassionately welcoming the old man with chronic wound on his leg and licked in order to bring comfort and healing to him. 

For many years I served as cook to Fr. John Calderaro who was an Italian and parish priest of Sacred Heart Church for 40 years. I am happy to testify that I am an eye-witness to many happenings in Avutapally that are related to Brother Joseph Thamby. He was a humble man and lived a very simple, humble and poor life. Near the priest’s residence there was a little house with two rooms made by the parish priest for the servants to live. In one of the rooms, I lived while Brother Joseph Thamby lived in the other from the time he came there in 1939. 

TESTIMONY 52

TESTIMONY 52

Name: Ms. Sikhamani 

Surname: Lingathoti 

Date & Place of Birth: 80 Years old, Manikonda 

Profession / Occupation: House wife 

Address: Manikonda Village, Unguturu Mandal, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh State, India. 

Relationship: Direct Witness 

Date of Written Witness: 20-06-2006

I was 10 years old when I saw Brother Joseph Thamby first time when he came to Manikonda village. Another time in the month of April, I saw him coming from Vijayawada, wearing no chappals and walking in the hot sun. According to me he was a very healthy man, but austere and penitent Franciscan. As I grew up I noticed many extraordinary things about him. 

In a short time, Brother Joseph Thamby and I became close friends. His attitude to death was very exceptional. One day, I saw a box (coffin) near his chair and I asked what it meant. In reply he told me a story referring to his death and funeral. In another way, he told me that he saw Angels coming to him and calling him to go with them to heaven. He was very courageous and much ahead of time was preparing for his death. Thus Brother Joseph Thamby had a coffin made for himself, and explained to me that he was preparing for his death. I understood that he was prophesying about his death. 

TESTIMONY 53

TESTIMONY 53

Name: Fr. Joseph 

Surname: Pannikot 

Date & Place of Birth: Kerala 

Profession / Occupation: Parish Priest, Denduluru 

Address: Our Lady of Purification Church, Denduluru Village, West Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh State 

Relationship: Direct Witness 

Date of Written Witness: 2006 

I was parish priest in Denduluru. I heard of Brother Thamby. He was getting Stigmata. I had not seen him until then. That year Fr. Caldiraro invited me for the village feast there. That happened to be on Thursday. Then I thought of going for the feast. After the feast it was Friday. I thought and together with some other priests – parish priest of Vatluru and Eluru – who came with me, went for the feast. We went by the train and got down at Avutapally station and started walking to the house. This brother was coming to receive us at the station. How he came to know about our coming to Avutapally, we don’t know. As soon as he saw me, he began to talk in Malayalam and he introduced himself to me and we walked together to the house. We met the parish priest Caldiraro and took some tea there. Then this brother himself suggested, “Father, instead of sitting here, we shall go for a walk.” So, we started walking. There was a tank (small water pond). We went and sat on the tank-bund. There were some trees. We were sitting under a tree and speaking about ordinary things only. 

While talking a man from my parish Denduluru came there. I called him and asked what the matter was. He said, Father, you must come at once; one man is dying’. I asked, ‘Is it enough if I come tomorrow?’ But he said, ‘No Father, his condition is critical. You have to come now itself’. Then Thamby asked, “Why father, what is the matter? You came just now only. Why are you in a hurry?” I told him that a man was dying and I must go and anoint him. He told, “No, no, he will not die; you need not go.” I was not very much willing to go. I wanted to see that stigmata. Thamby again said to me, “He will not die; you need not go now.” I was all the more happy. I told the man who came, ‘I will come tomorrow, you can go home now.’ He went away. So, I stayed there. Next day there was the festal Mass and everything over. Brother had a hut near the parish priest’s house. He was there. I too went inside the house. When I went there, I was not leaving him and he was not leaving me. We were like that for some time. Generally, he wore a banyan but on that day he put on a shirt. That too was dirty. And he used a white lunky which colour already changed. There was smell. 

TESTIMONY 54

TESTIMONY 54

Name: Mr. Joseph 

Surname: Polangi 

Date & Place of Birth: 23-02-1929, 80 years old 

Address: Calderaro Nagar, Peddavutapally Village, Unguturu Mandal, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh State 

Relationship: Direct Witness 

Date of Written Witness: 2006

I came into contact with the Servant of God, Brother Joseph Thamby when I was 13 years old. To me, he appeared like another St. Francis of Assisi, preaching the Gospel, healing the sick and praying for everyone. He came to Andhra Pradesh and patiently endured a lot of sufferings and hardships to bring people closer to God. 

Four days before his death Brother Joseph Thamby began to suffer from diarrhoea. No one dared to approach him in this situation. But Mr. Saddapu Bala Swamy and I visited him at that time. When Fr. Calderaro came to see him and asked him, ‘What do you want? Shall I send you to American hospital or you will remain here’. Brother Joseph Thamby answered, ‘I don’t need a hospital. I have to travel to heaven’. Then Fr. Calderaro said, ‘You are unable to get up from your bed for all your needs, and no one is ready to clean you up. The teachers here will not be able to help you. But in the Hospital, the nurses would do what is needed’. But Brother Joseph Thamby said, ‘I don’t want any help. I have to go to heaven. My time is nearing, I don’t want anything’. Then Fr. Calderaro asked me ‘Jojappa, Brother Joseph Thamby is suffering from diarrhoea. There is no one to care for him. His bed is not cleansed. People may not be happy to come near him. He is not consenting to go to hospital. So what shall we do?’ Then I said ‘Father, it is true that he is unable to get up for his needs. I shall clean up his stool. I shall take care of him’. Fr. Calderaro gave a bowl for his urine and excretion. After he had used it, we were throwing it near the river side. 

TESTIMONY 55

TESTIMONY 55

Name: Mr. Arulaiah 

Surname: Madala 

Date & Place of Birth: Peddavutapally 

Address: Peddavutapally Village, Unguturu Mandal, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh State 

Relationship: Direct Witness 

Date of Written Witness: 2006

I can truly witness basing on my experience that the Servant of God had extraordinary spiritual gifts, especially the gift of healing. On one occasion my wife was seriously ill and being treated in American hospital (St. Ann’s), in Vijayawada. I came to Fr. Calderaro and spoke about it. Brother Joseph Thamby heard me speaking and enquired the details. Soon he went to the hospital and prayed over her, and she was healed. 

I am also a witness to his Stigmata. On a certain day, I went to visit Brother Joseph Thamby in Avutapalli. That was the exact time Brother Joseph Thamby was having the agony and stigmata. Then Fr. Calderaro told me: ‘You cannot see the Brother now’. Then I returned home without seeing him. 

Mr. Arulaiah Madala 

2006

TESTIMONY 56

TESTIMONY 56

Name: Ms. Susilamma 

Surname: Madala 

Date & Place of Birth: Telaprolu 

Profession / Occupation: House wife 

Address: THelaprolu Village, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh State 

Relationship: Direct Witness 

Date of Written Witness: 2006

When I was about to deliver, Fr. Calderaro sent me in American hospital. Brother Joseph Thamby came to me in the early morning of every day and asked, “Child, you have to pray and you will come up in your life.” My mother-in-law also requested Brother Joseph Thamby to pray for me. We all prayed together. When we have returned from Vijayawada, we have received Baptism. After receiving Baptism, Brother Joseph Thamby visited our house every four or five days. He used to ask me, “Child, are you praying?” We all replied, ‘Yes, we are all praying every day’. He said, I am also praying for your family’s well-being and surely your family will come up.” 

I witnessed when I came to the Church that he used to feed 10 to 12 people with the food which is hardly enough for one person. I have witnessed to this several times. We use to think, ‘How fortunate Brother Joseph Thamby!’ Our house is visited by so many people (reddlu). Brother Joseph Thamby helped us in making food for all of them within no time. He showed us so many miracles. As gratitude, these people (reddlu), constructed a house for elderly people. Brother Thamby used to play with children in our house when he came to visit us. He used to come once in every four or five days.