7th November 2017

               From September 17, 2017, His Grace Most Rev. Dr. S. Michael Augustine was taking treatment for the failure of his lungs. The oxygen in-take was very little and the carbon inside the lungs was more. Doctor Michael Anand admitted him at the MVR Hospital, Pondicherry and treated him. Then His Grace became better and was brought to the Archbishop's House on 30th September 2017. On October 1st he became serious and was readmitted in MVR hospital. After a few days at MVR hospital his health Condition again deteriorated and the machine Could not function properly and so he was immediately shifted to Be-well hospital and the treatment Continued. 5 dialysis were done to reduce the urea level. He was improving and on October 21, 2017 he was discharged and brought to the bishop's house. He was looked after by Dr. Michael Anand with the help of medical staff. On 1st November 2017, when his nephew Fr. R. Josephraj offered the mass in his room, His Grace, the Archbishop Emeritus received the Holy Communion. On the 3rd November night His Grace was quietly sleeping longer. On the 4th November at 07.00 a.m., when the Procurator Fr. Gregory saw His Grace, his pulse rate was slowly coming down. So, with the help of Dr. Michael Anand, again His Grace S. Michael Augustine was shifted to the BeWell Hospital. There the doctors on examining His Grace the Archbishop Emeritus said that his Condition Was very Critical. So, immediately our Archbishop Dr. A. Anandarayar rushed to the hospital and prayed for him. When our Archbishop finished the prayer, the cardiac and pulse monitor showed that His Grace Michael Augustine was dead.

Then his body was taken to the PIMS Medical College Hospital for embalming. And then his body was taken to the Keezhputhupattu Holy Family Church, where he has stayed for the past 13 years, after his retirement on 05-07-2004.There, the Vicar General Mgr. A. Arulanandam along with a few Fathers offered the Mass for the eternal rest of the late Archbishop Emeritus.At 02.30 p.m. the Body was brought to the Archbishop's House and was blessed by Our Archbishop. Then prayers were offered for his eternal rest. At 06.30 p.m. the body was shifted to the Escande Hall of the Petit Seminaire Hr. Sec. School, Pondicherry. A lot of Priests, Sisters and the people came and kept flower wreaths and prayed for the eternal rest of the late Archbishop Emeritus, on Saturday and throughout Sunday. On the 5th November 2017, Sunday, our Archbishop Most Rev. Dr. A. Anandarayar offered the mass at 10.00 a.m. along with 10 priests around the body of the late Archbishop Emeritus for his eternal rest. Then at 11.45 a.m. Rt. Rev. Peter Abir, the Bishop of Sultanpet offered the Holy Mass along with 7 priests around the body of the late Archbishop S. Michael Augustine. At 4.30 p.m. again holy mass was celebrated by the priests of our diocese and people were praying Continuously. At 10.15 p.m. Emeritus bishop of Kottar diocese Most. Rev. P. Remigius offered mass and paid his homage. Throughout the two nights priests, sisters, relatives and lay people kept vigil and prayed. On 6th November, 2017 at 9.00 a.m. Mr. Narayanasamy, the Chief Minister of Pondicherry and Namachivayam M.L.A., John Kumar, the Delhi representative and others came and kept Wreaths. On 06-11-2017 Monday morning at 09.45 a.m., Most Rev. Dr. P. Yvon Ambroise, the Bishop of Tuticorin blessed the body of the late Archbishop. Then his body was taken in procession in a Well deCOrated Car to the Immaculate Conception Cathedral. 15 Archbishops and Bishops, about 300 priests, a great number of religious and thousands of faithful participated in the funeral procession. At 10.20 a.m. the funeral procession reached the Cathedral. Our Archbishop Most Rev. Dr. A. Anandarayar offered the funeral Mass at our Immaculate Conception Cathedral, along with 15 Bishops of Tamil Nadu and about 300 priests of Pondicherry, Chennai, Chingelput, Vellore, Salem, Tanjore, Kumbakonam and Bangalore dioceses. There were about 3000 people present for the funeral mass. Mgr. Arulanandam, the Vicar General welcomed the faithful. Most Rev. S. Singaroyan, Bishop of Salem preached the Homily and said that the late Archbishop Emeritus lived according to his Episcopal Motto: FIAT, although it was difficult. At the end of the Mass Most Rev. Antony Pappusamy, the President of the TNBC spoke about the greatness of the late Archbishop Emeritus. Then Rt. Rev. Soundaraj, Bishop of Vellore spoke about the achievements of the late Archbishop Emeritus when he worked as the Bishop of Vellore for 11 years.

           His love for the poor was great and he had encouraged local vocations. Then the Vicar General of Madras and Mylapore Mgr. Anthonisamy praised and thanked the late Archbishop Emeritus for his Commitment and dedication when he was the Auxiliary Bishop of Madras and Mylapore for 3 years and He worked tirelessly for the welfare of the clergy, the Religious and the faithful. Then Fr. Dr. Rayappan acknowledged and thanked the late Archbishop Emeritus for his dedicated Teaching at St. Peter's Pontifical Seminary, Bangalore, where he had served as Professor, Vice Rector and Rector. It was during his tenure as the Rector, St. Peter's was elevated as a Pontifical Institute. Then Sr. Susila, FSAG, President of the CRI thanked the late Archbishop Emeritus for his encouragement to the Consecrated men and Women Religious of Pondicherry. Then Fr. A. J. Philomindoss, the Director of the Pastoral Centre, who had been Coordinating the entire funeral service, read out the Condolence messages. We also thank His Holiness Pope Francis for the following Condolence message sent from Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, through Archbishop Giambattista Diquattro, Apostolic Nuncio, New Delhi. His

Holiness Pope Francis was saddened to learn of the death of Archbishop Michael Augustine, and he sends his prayerful Condolences to you and to the clergy, religious and lay faithful of the Archdiocese of Pondicherry and Cuddalore. The Holy Father gives thanks for the late Prelates many years of devoted priestly and episcopal ministry, and he commends his Soul to the mercy of Almighty God. As a pledge of Consolation in the Risen Christ. His Holiness imparts his Apostolic Blessing to all those Who mourn archbishop Augustine’s passing".

Then our Archbishop Most. Rev. Dr. A. Anandarayar spoke about the dedicated Service and the Wonderful personality of the Late Archbishop S. Michael Augustine. Then Fr. R. Joseph Raj, the nephew of the late Archbishop Emeritus, on behalf of his family thanked for the entire funeral service, so very well organized and for Lourdes TV which telecasted LIVE" the funeral service. Then A.M. Chinnappa, Archbishop Emeritus of Madras and Mylapore sang the Liberame and blessed the body in the Cathedral. Then the body was taken to the adjacent graveyard. There Fr. A.J.C Lawrence, the late Archbishop's another nephew blessed the body and said the final prayer of Commendation. Around 2.p.m. the body of the late Archbishop Emeritus Most. Rev. Dr. S. Michael Augustine was laid to rest in the graveyard of the Bishops and priests near the Cathedral.

                                       May His Soul Rest in Peace

With prayers and wishes

Yours in Christ

Most Rev. Dr. A. Anandarayar Archbishop of Pondicherry & Cuddalore