26 November 2019.
During the past several weeks, the cemetery of Our Lady of Health Parish Church, Saude, Cochin has been undergoing extensive renovation and several tombs are being rearranged as part of the renovation. As part of this rearrangement, it was announced by the family to a few close friends and associates that on the morning of Friday 22 November 2019, the mortal remains of Br. O. J. Victor (who is also the founder of the Community of Grace) would be transferred to a new tomb within the same cemetery.
There was no “exhumation” of the remains of Br. O. J. Victor planned as part of this process. A simple prayer for the deceased was planned for 10.30 am on Friday 22 November 2019 during the process of transfer of his remains to the new tomb.
According to reports received by us, to prepare the remains for a quick transfer, the tomb was opened the evening of the previous day on Thursday, 21 November 2019 to unearth and assess the state of the remains. Present at the site were only the grave digger and a few individuals who witnessed the opening of the tomb. According to received reports, while the tomb was opened and the remains unearthed, remains of the upper and lower jaw and what seemed to be remains of the tongue seemed visible. All the remains were then reportedly transferred to a new coffin and the tomb was closed.
On the following day, the morning of Friday, 22 November, the tomb was again reopened. A larger gathering of immediate family, relatives, friends and associates were present. At around 10.00 am, the coffin was taken out and opened for those gathered to pay their respects. A short prayer was held and the coffin was laid in the new tomb which was some distance away from the old tomb and the tomb was then closed. No particular medical examination was carried out on the remains.
On the evening of Thursday 21 November, while the tomb was opened for the first time, several close-up images of the remains were reportedly captured and shared using mobile platforms. These quickly spread over various social media channels and later started to appear with comments added, mostly by excited recipients of these messages. The comments state that the tongue is incorrupt, or that parts of his body are incorrupt.
While delegates from the Community of Grace were not present for the event on 21 November Thursday when several close-up images of the remains were reportedly captured, and while noting that the images are presently not backed by duly authorized medical or archaeological reports, we are unable to vouch for their veracity. We urge the faithful who may receive these images not to spread unconfirmed reports and to refrain from spreading news which has not been published by approved sources.
We like to conclude with the very words of our founder Br. O. J. Victor who constantly urged his listeners to refrain from paying undue attention to external signs and miracles rather than to the inner grace which is far more important, and also that the greatest miracle of all which the Lord works daily within and around us is the conversion of the human heart to God.
Updated on: 25 May 2022.