Rev. Fr. Basilius Panat was born on 15th February 1891 in Pazhooparambil at Kothanalloor at his mother’s house. His parents were Mathai and Eleswa. Lonachen was his eldest brother and Mathachen youngest. On the seventh day he was christened and named Thomas. Thomas grew up in the village of Chalil near Cherthala at his father’s house called Panat. In1907 Thomas completed his studies at the middle school. In 1908 he joined the diocesan Seminary at Ernakulam. Fr. Augustine Kandathil (later Archbishop of Ernakulam) was his minor seminary Rector. After his high school studies at St. Albert’s High School, Ernakulam and at St. Mary’s High School, Aluva he completed his seminary studies at Puthenpally from 1913 to 1918. On 26 December 1918 the then Auxiliarybishop Mar Augustine Kandathil ordained him Priest. Fr. Thomas Panat was appointed Asst. Parish Priest in the Forane church of Vaikom in 1919 where Fr. Kuruvila Alumkara was parish priest. In December 1919 Fr. Panat was appointed parish priest in Uzhuva Church. In May 1920 Fr. Panat got appointment as parish priest at Kuzhuppilly. On February 3, 1924 Fr. Thomas took up his assignment as the parish priest at Mookkannur. A couple of days after he was called to Archbishop’s House and asked to take over the charge of the Sacred Heart Orphanage which later paved the way to start the Little Flower Congregation on March 19, 1931. Till 1941 Fr. Panat was considered a personal consulter to Archbishop Kandathil. From 1941 to 1954 he was appointed a member of the consulting body of the Archbishop.


He was Superior General of the Congregation he started, from 1955 to 1967. He was Rector and Superior of our major seminary and First Councillor from 1967 to 1973. From 1973 till his death he was staying at Vijnan Bhavan (Little Flower Generalate) Thrikkakara. He was called to his eternal reward on 4th October 1976 and his mortal remains are buried in the Ashram Cemetery at Mookkannur on 6th October 1976.