FR. JOSEPH MARIPURAM, S.J. (69/47)

Died at Holy Family Hospital, Patna, India, on 13.03.2024

Fr. Joseph Maripuram was called with affection Joe or Mari by the Jesuits. He was loved and respected for many good reasons. Large number of Jesuits, priests, religious sisters and Catholics from Patna and other parts of Bihar attended his funeral service. This was an indication of his popularity among the Jesuits, priests, religious and ordinary people in and around Patna. The main celebrant at the Eucharist was Most Rev. Sebastian Kallupura, Archbishop of the archdiocese of Patna. Most Rev. William D’Souza, SJ, the emeritus archbishop of Patna archdiocese, and Most Rev. Peter Goveas, bishop of Bettiah, Fr. Donald Miranda, SJ, the Provincial of Patna, Fr. Armstrong Edison, SJ, the vice-rector of Krist Raja Jesuit community, Bettiah, along with large number of Jesuit and diocesan priests concelebrated with archbishop Sebastian Kallupura.

Fr. Donald Miranda in his introduction mentioned the following, “If we were to have an epitaph at the tombstone of Fr. Joe Maripuram, it would be ‘Born to Fight’. He was a fighter all through his life. He worked in Patna, Muzaffarpur and Bettiah dioceses. While he was the Parish Priest of Latonah Parish, he had to fight with the landsharks to get back the land belonging to the diocese of Muzaffarpur. Though there were threats to his life, he did not give up his fight. Five years ago, he was detected with a tumour in his brain.

He was operated upon in Vellore to remove the tumour. It was found that the tumour was malignant and the source of his cancer was the lungs and the cancer had spread to different parts of his body. Though he was told that he was having cancer at the stage four, he said that he would see about it. He did not go into a depression. But he decided to fight the cancer. After 12 hours of a 13-hour long operation of the brain to remove the tumour, Fr. Joe was walking around in the hospital. The doctors found it quite unusual. They were impressed with his optimism and determination to fight the cancer.

Though his haemoglobin used to come down drastically every now and then, he would recover fast with the transfusion of one or two units of blood. He had a tremendous capacity to bounce back every time. Couple of months ago, he collapsed in Bettiah and was brought to Savera Cancer Hospital in an ambulance accompanied by Sr. Alice of the Holy Cross Congregation. On the way, he became unconscious couple of times. Though he was brought to Savera Hospital in a very precarious situation, he bounced back in a few days. Though the doctors said that he doesn’t have many days to live, he managed to get back to his feet after few days and was walking around the campus. On the day of his death, his novice companions had made plans to have a tea together on the next day evening. But God had different plans for Fr. Joe Maripuram. The doctors said that he was a living miracle. He is an inspiration for each one of us not to give up when faced with difficulties, trials and problems.”

He was a perfect gentleman. He was a neat and clean person with a welcoming gentle smile. He listened with his heart, though nothing missed his observation. This helped him to understand the persons and situations. He was a much needed and appreciated leader in the province.

His life as a Patna Jesuit can be seen as an excellent formator, a caring pastor and true community animator. As the rector of minor seminary at Muzaffarpur, he was able to combine compassion with fraternal discipline which brought a qualitative difference in the formees. Later as the Patna Province Coordinator of Formation, he helped our scholastics in the Jesuit way of learning and living. He was an effective formator.

As the Rector of St. Michael's, Patna, and Krist Raja, Bettiah, he was able to take the community together for united involvement in the ministry. In both places having multi-ministry with diverse involvements with their share of challenges, Mari efficiently waded through them. He kept himself very cheerful all through his sickness. All those who came to console him were surprised at his optimism and courage. His desire was to work for some more years in one of our institutions.

He cherished and nourished the friends who were with him during his five year long bold and tough battle with cancer. His family too supported him in these difficult times. As a true soldier of Ignatius, he really fought his cancer well with strong willpower.

He was respected and loved as a good Jesuit priest because he was close to Jesus and Mother Mary. Now he is there with them enjoying eternal Joy. May his soul rest in peace.