SG. Fr. Joseph Vithayathil

Fr.Joseph Vithayathil was a Diocesan Priest, Spiritual director of Bl. Mariam Thresia and the co-founder of the Congregation of Holy family. Joseph was born on 23rd July 1865 as the second son of Lona and Thanda Vithayathil, a prominent family in the parish of Manabady, Puthenpally. He had two brothers Varkey and Paily and Two sisters Annam and Mariam            

 On 30th may 1881, at age of 15, he joined the seminary annexed to the Carmelite Monastery of Elthuruth and Began his Priestly training. Fr. Joseph Vithayathil was first appointed as assistant parish priest of Ollur on 23April 1894. Soon He was promoted as Vicar of Mukkatukkara.. The present Puthen chira parish church stands as a magnificient monument of his pastoral dedication and farsightedness. He has served this parish for Twenty years

From 1902 to 1926 Fr. Joseph Vithayathil was the spiritual Director of Bl. Mariam Thresia. Co- founder of the Congregation of Holy Family :- On 14th May 1914 with the co-operation and support of Rev.Fr. Joseph Vithayathil, Bl. Mariam thresia founded the congrgation of holyfamily. he took care of the congregation as St. joseph did at Nazareth. from the death of the holy Foundress in 1926 till the first General Council was formed in 1942, it was Rev. fr. Joseph Vithayathil who reared the infant congregation carefully and nurtured it properly.

Rev Fr, Joseph vithayathil was blessed with a long life of 99 years. on 8 June 1964 he was called to his eternal abode, in the same date of the death of Bl. Mariam Thresia, his spiritual daughter.

Co-founder of the Congregation of Holy family
Born	1865 July 23, Puthenpally, Ernakulam, Kerala
Died	1964 June 8
Servant of GOD	18th  May 2004
Feast	June 8