Priest who saw Jesus on the Holy Host passes away
George Kommattam - July 2026
Fr. Thomas Pathickal, the Catholic priest who witnessed the Eucharistic miracle at Christ the King Church, Vilakkannur, passed away on Tuesday at St. Joseph's Hospital, Karuvanchal, Kannur district of Kerala. He was 73.
Fr. Pathickal came into the global spotlight after the extraordinary event that occurred during the Holy Qurbana at Vilakkannur in November 2013.
While celebrating the Eucharistic liturgy, he noticed what appeared to be the image of the face of Jesus emerging on the consecrated Host. Recognizing the significance of the phenomenon, he refrained from breaking the Host and informed Church authorities.
The incident drew thousands of pilgrims to the parish over the following days. The Sacred Host was later transferred to the custody of the Archdiocese of Tellicherry, where a detailed theological and scientific investigation was initiated. After the Syro-Malabar Church's Doctrinal Commission completed its study, the Host was sent to the Vatican in 2018 for further examination.
In May 2025, after more than a decade of investigation, the Vatican officially recognized the Vilakkannur event as a Eucharistic miracle.
The decree of recognition was solemnly proclaimed at Christ the King Church, Vilakkannur, by the Apostolic Nuncio to India, Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, making it the first Vatican-recognized Eucharistic miracle in India.
Ordained for the Archdiocese of Tellicherry, Fr. Pathickal served in several parishes during his priestly ministry.
He was parish priest of Christ the King Church, Vilakkannur, from 2011 to 2016, where the Eucharistic miracle occurred. He later served as vicar of St. Sebastian's Church, Nedumpuramchal, and St. Sebastian's Church, Odenthode, before going on medical leave earlier this year due to health reasons.
Known for his humility and deep spirituality, Fr. Pathickal consistently avoided publicity surrounding the miracle, leaving the discernment entirely to the Church. Following the Vatican's recognition, he expressed gratitude that the event had strengthened the faith of countless believers.
His death marks the passing of the priest whose quiet faith and obedience became inseparably linked with one of the most significant events in the recent history of the Syro-Malabar Church. Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by the Archdiocese of Tellicherry.
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