Short Biography of Servant of God Antony Susainather

 Servant of God Antony Susainather (1882–1968) was a prominent Catholic priest, social reformer and later Contemplative Religious from Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, India, known for his deep spirituality and his commitment to the marginalized.

Early Life and Education

• Birth: Born on December 18, 1882, in Tuticorin (Thoothukudi), Tamil Nadu, to Mr. Francis Fernando and Mrs. Mary Mathesiammal.

• Baptism: He was baptized with the name Antony, a name often seen as a sign of his future spiritual destiny.

• Ordination: He was ordained as a priest for Diocese of Tiruchirappalli on December 17, 1910, after which he dedicated his life to pastoral work and social justice.

Social Reform and Ministry

Fr. Susainather is remembered as a "liberator" who worked tirelessly to improve the lives of those in the lower strata of society. His reputation was particularly strong in the coastal and rural parishes of the Tuticorin and Tiruchirappalli regions.

• Social Reformer: He fought against the "fetters of bonded labour" and social taboos that oppressed low-caste citizens.

• Transformative Leader: He combined deep spiritual fervor with radical social action. He became a legendary figure for his fight against alcoholism. He transformed the village by founding the Sodalities against Alcoholism.

• Lover of House of God: He was known for his zeal for the House of God, often taking it upon himself to physically and spiritually renovate dilapidated churches. Together with the physical structures, he "renewed the spirit" of his parishioners by founding various pious associations and sodalities.

• Spiritual Leader: As a Diocesan Priest he was known as "Healer of  the Soul" and "Powerful Speaker" always at service of the people; Known as a "Silent Hermit,"  as a Rosarian Monk. He was deeply devoted to the Eucharist Lord and  the Rosary and lived a life of contemplation and reparation.

• Patriarch of the Indian Rosarians : In 1944, he established the first  Rosarian Ashram  in Vadakkangulam, Tamil Nadu. Rosarian Congregation is the Indigenous Contemplative Congregation in South Asia, Founded by the Servant of God B.A. Thomas  in Sri Lanka, 1928.

• Suffering Servant of God: His Physical and Spiritual Endurance explicitly expressed during the time of his sickness which was lasting more than thirteen years. His later years in the monastery were marked by the "white martyrdom" of silence, fasting, and intense prayer, which many devotees view as a form of holy suffering for the sake of the Church.

Death and Legacy

• Passing: After 28 years of tireless pastoral work as Diocesan Priest, joined the Rosarian Contemplative Congregation and lived as a "Mouna Muni". He passed away in 1968 and was buried at the monastery he founded in Vadakkangulam.

• Path to Sainthood: Because of his virtuous life and the impact of his ministry, he has been accorded the title "Servant of God," a significant step in the canonization process of the Catholic Church.

• Commemoration: His death anniversary is celebrated annually on 8th of June (or nearest Sunday)  by the local people in Vadakkangulam. Many faithful are drawn to his tomb every day to seek his intercession.

Servant of God Antony Susainather - Documentary

 

THE FR. ANTONY SUSAINATHER WHOM I KNOW

I met Fr. Susainather for the first time in August 1959 when I reached Fatimagiri to begin novitiate. By the time he had been bed ridden for more than three years. Although eye sight and hearing were apparently normal he could not move any part of his body by himself. As regards speech he could produce some sounds, but was unable to articulate any word. Only Bruno his constant assistant could make out to some extent what he wanted to convey.

From August 1959 to June 1961 I was at Fatimagiri. I had the good fortune to help him occasionally, especially to take him out on a wheel chair and read out to him from current perioidicals to which he would listen attentively.

Though he was not able to help himself, I never noticed any sign of impatience or self pity in him. Even in that condition he had a good sense of humor. He would burst into laughter making inarticulate sounds when some funny incident or topic was brought to his notice. Fr. Susainather was stationed in a room adjacent to the chapel. One evening during supper time, when I was working in the sacristy I heard from him a loud cry as if from someone frightened. I rushed to his room to find out what had happened, but could not make out anything as he remained apparently in a frightful state: Did he have any frightful vision or experience? In the beginning of 1961 I was asked by the superior to go for my studies for the priesthood. When I shared with him my feelings of hesitation to comply with superiors’ wish, he strongly encouraged me using inarticulate sounds to go for my studies.

Having interrupted my studies in March 1962 I was again at Fatimagiri till June 1963. Although I was busy that year with my work as store – keeper, I had occasional chances to have a service for him. From 1963 to 1967 whenever I came to Fatimagiri Ashram for holy days I could be with him. His very presence was a source of encouragement for me. After completing my studies I was again at Fatimagiri from March 1967 till 8th June 1968, the day on which he expired. By then Fr. Susainather had become more weakened and exhausted.

On 7th June, in the evening, he was found to be sinking. The doctor from the local health center was summoned to his bedside. After examining him, the doctor said only God could do anything more for him. That night till about 11.00 P.M. I was by his bedside. Then I retired to my room for short while. When I returned to his room shortly after mid-night Bro. Lourdu Marian who was by his bedside said, he had already ‘gone’. Regrettably, I could not be with him when he breathed his last.

Even today, the memory of Fr. Susainather is vivid in me. The silent ailing figure of Fr. Susainather imperceptibly acted as the main agent in my Rosarian formation. May he rest in peace! May the Lord Glorifiy him on Earth!

Fr. Ephraem CR

Amalamika Ashram,

A NEW SAPLING FOR THE PRESENT TIME

A Pre-destined Saint in Tuticorin,
Born on 18th December (1882), 
Baptized him Antony, 
Sure sign of future destiny.

Ordained Priest on 17th December (1910),
Possessed Christ very closer,
Transferring   to the Rosarian Chamber,
Simplicity of life greatly highlighted.

Tiring labour for the Church,
Message of Peace brings new change,
Deep faith in God as “Monk”
Moulded himself model to others.

Life in him illumined others,
Flocked near for spiritual guidance,
A man of prayer pointing out,
Thus two Ashrams came out.

Last day of his life,
Suffering for the conversion of two countries sake (India & Srilanka),
Peaceful death on the earth, (8th June 1968)
Vadakankulam for the rest.

People from near and far,
Come to his tomb begging for (Prayer),
Experiencing the way of life,
That called them to change of life.

                                                                                          Bro. F. Patrick CR.
                                                                                          R. T .C, Bangalore.

Centenary Celabration of Priestly Ordination

A BOUQUET OF  POEM 

Not long ago there was a priest living,

Who found more joy in nothing but giving,

Who had a charismatic gift for preaching,

This was augmented by his power of healing,

Far and wide went god’s goodness of to sing,

And he covered vast area as if he had a wing,

Pain and sorrow meant for him nothing,

But to those in pain he meant something,

When comfort and luxury was for the asking,

And fame, honour and glory came begging,

A Rosarian contemplative life was to his liking,

That is something really very strange and striking,

More than a decade of his life he spent in suffering,

In more ways than from others was he differing,

A man caring for all and none forsaking,

And in virtues not in one was he lacking,

His ordination centenary we are sharing,

Fr.Soosainather is that holy priest so caring.

Bro. Sagayaraj.J.CR

R.T.C, Bangalore.

The Suffering Hermit of God

Among the four hymns about the servant of Yahweh found in the book of Isaiah, the 3rd hymn stands supreme in content and verse. While chapter 42 of Isaiah speaks about the servant,  a light to nations, chapter 50 speaks about servant’s humiliation and vindication, chapter 61 declares about the servant’s deliverance, chapter 53 describes about the suffering Servant of Yahweh. This chapter perhaps is one of the dramatic description of the pathos of the servant of Yahweh.

Needless to say that it is a messianic prophecy of Christ’s passion and death. It may sound malo-dramatic with the pathetic servant. But the description is of the typical nature of the suffering Jesus from Gethsemany to Calvary. Hence, the 53 chapter of Isaiah is the description of the good Friday drama on Calvary. It therefore describes the suffering Servant of Yahweh in its fullest expression.

Many spiritual writers hold that the suffering servant of Yahweh is the model for many a saint and sage in his/her trials, difficulties, pains and sufferings. Those who suffered like Christ or deemed to be the suffering Servant of Yahweh. In this regard Fr. Susainather may be easily considered as suffering hermit of God in the foot steps of His Master the suffering servant of Yahweh.

To prove this statement we can enumerate or catalogue the sufferings both physical and mental found in the life of Fr. Susainather. For a span of 14 years Fr. Susainather was in the cauldron of cruciating pain. His wound in the leg caused by his fall from horse, his bed ridden life with paralysis, his loss of sight, the loss of the power of the speech and the ailment of strangulated herenia  and many other sufferings made him a suffering man. 

With all these pains, Fr. Susainather emulated Christ’s patience and his Christian patience was an echo of the words of St. James, the apostle, “Be patient therefore until the coming of the Lord.” (James 5:7) The book of Sirach observes “for gold is tested in the fire and those found acceptable in the furnace of humiliation”. Fr. Susainather was patient to be tested in the fire of sufferings and humiliations. He was very much smelted in the fire of tribulations and proved himself worthy and acceptable victim of the Paschal mystery. “He was like a lamb that is lead to the slaughter and like a sheep that before its shearers was silent, so he did not open his mouth”. (con  Is 53:7). Fr. Susainather never opened his mouth to utter  any complaint; never did he elamour for the removal of his sufferings. He was a  silent  because a suffering hermit in his cruciating pain and in his bed of suffering. This was the heroic patience of Fr. Susainather.The example of the suffering Servant of Yahweh because the way of life of the suffering hermit of God. 

Christ did not suffer for the sake of Suffering Servant. He suffered for a sublime cause, because for the reparation of the sins of humanity and the redemption of mankind. This concept was the cause and result of the sufferings of Fr.Susainather. Indeed he suffered in reparation for the sins of the world. The 14 years of the suffering  `for him, the 14 stations of the Cross through which he was able to expiate for his sins and the sins of many. This was the sublime ideal of Fr. Susainather’s suffering and the secret of his lashing endurance and patience. 

Would that we emulate this patience of Fr.Susainather in atoning for our sins.

Fr. Xavier Jothi

K.G.F,   Bangalore

The Important Events in the Life of Rev. Fr. Susainather CR

Early Life

Secular Name                 – Antony Fernando

Religious Name              – Antony Susainather

Date of Birth                  – December 18, 1882

Place of Birth                 – Tuticorin

Father’s Name                – Mr. Francis Fernando

Mother’s Name              – Mrs. Mathesiammal

Siblings                          – Three Brothers and Two Sisters

Date of Baptism              – December 26, 1882

Place of Baptism             – Sacred Hearts Church, Tuticorin

 

Priestly Formation

Place of Formation              – Papal Seminary, Kandy, Sri Lanka

Philosophy & Theology      – Papal Seminary, Kandy, Sri Lanka

Date of Joining                    – December 23, 1902

Tonsure                               – December 22, 1906

Minor Order                        – December 21, 1907

Subdiaconate                       – December 19, 1908

Diaconate                            – December 18, 1909

Priestly Ordination              – December 17, 1910

 

Mission as a Diocesan Priest: Parish Priest at Various Parishes

08.01.1911 to 24.11.1912       St. Joseph’s Church, Dindigul (Assistant)

30.11.1912 to 17.01.1917       St. Mary Magdalene Church, Ayyampatty

17.01.1917 to 17.11.1921       Sacred Heart Church, N. Panjampatty

18.11.1921 to 14.05.1930       St. Andrew Church, Uvari

14.05.1930 to 26.05.1931       St. Thomas Church, Kooduthalai

26.05.1931 to 12.04.1937       Our Lady of Snows Church, Tuticorin            

27.01.1936 to 14.06.1936       St. Xavier’s Church, Punnaikayal (Additional Charge)

09.05.1937 to 15.04.1939       St. James Church, Manapadu,

                                                Parish Priest and Vicar Forane

17.12.1936                              Silver Jubilee of Sacerdotal Ordination

                                                 Bishop’s House, Tuticorin

 

Contemplative Religious Life: Congregation of the Rosarians

Date of Joining         – April 28, 1939

Place of Joining        – Tholagatty, Sri Lanka

Novitiate                  – September 8, 1939, Rosarian Ashram, Tholagatty

First Vows                – September 8, 1940, Rosarian Ashram, Tholagatty

Final Vows               – September 8, 1943, Rosarian Ashram, Tholagatty

 

Mission as a Religious Priest: Pioneer of Indian Foundations

13.02.1944 to 07.09.1952     Fatimagiri Ashram, Vadakkangulam    

08. 09.1952 to 09.09.1954    Pushpavanam Ashram, Manaparai       

10.09.1954 to 08.06.1968     Fatimagiri Ashram, Vadakkangulam    

17.12.1960                            Golden Jubilee of Sacerdotal Ordination

                                              Fatimagiri Ashram, Vadakkangulam

08.06.1968                            Death and Funeral, Fatimagiri Ashram, Vadakkangulam