Varghese Payyappilly Palakkappilly was an Indian Syro-Malabar Catholic priest born in 1876. He is best known for establishing the Sisters of the Destitute in 1927, a congregation dedicated to serving the impoverished. Throughout his ministry, he served as a parish priest and a school manager, gaining a reputation as a skilled mediator and a compassionate protector of the vulnerable. In 2018, Pope Francis recognized his holiness by declaring him Venerable.
Life and ministry
After receiving religious training in India and Sri Lanka, he was ordained in 1907. He served various parishes, including Arakuzha, where he improved church resources and established a school. During his time managing St. Mary's High School in Aluva, he helped foster many priestly vocations. He was particularly noted for his humanitarian efforts during a 1924 flood, providing food and shelter to those in need.
Founding and legacy
In 1927, he founded the Sisters of the Destitute to carry out charitable work for the abandoned and the elderly. His dedication to the poor remained a central theme of his life. He died of typhoid fever in 1929. His path toward sainthood began in 2009, leading to his designation as a Servant of God and his subsequent recognition as Venerable by the Catholic Church.