Fr. Armond Madhavath OFM Cap

A Simple Franciscan Capuchin Friar

Reputation of his Holiness

When his mortal remains were brought to Pattaram Vimalagiri Renewal Centre for the public to pay last homage, those people who flocked to the Centre were not only those who had acquaintance with him but also who came to know about the farewell of the holy priest, Br. Armond. When his room was opened, as customary, after his death, there were absolutely nothing to claim as his own other than some books and dairies. He was so particular that his room has to be in a corner which no one notices and which has bare minimum facilities. This indicated the simplicity and poverty of Br. Armond who lived with minimum necessities. When it was decided to bum all those things which cannot be used from his room, those who knew that he is a saintly priest, collected some of his used dresses from his room and pieces of clothes from his coffin and kept as memorial of Br. Armond. Moreover some of them even testify about the graces, both material as well as spiritual, received as a result of his holy presence through those memorials.

On 12th January, as we commemorate the death of Br. Armond, people flock to his tomb even from faraway places to ask the intercession of Br. Armond and thank God for the graces received through him. Br. Vincent Kurisumoottil who was with Br. Armond for 12 long years testifies that, "Fr. Armond had special concern for poor. I never heard him saying faults of others. Even those who were real nuisance during retreat were made calm by the holy presence of Br. Armond. He spent several hours in prayer and meditation in front of the Holy Eucharist. Barely having anything in hand, Br. Armond could build two retreat centers, in Bharananganam and Pattaram, depending only on the providence of God. Prayer, penance, fasting and hard work were his lifestyle."