KOTTAYAM: There was a Mass of Sorrow yesterday at Puthupally Church. It was eight months ago that Oommen Chandy last came here to offer Sunday mass. In November before going to Germany for treatment.

Many times as people who were present that day, filled the church premises yesterday. They placed wreaths on the grave in the pouring rain. Candles were lit. The smell of frankincense spread during the Prayer of Incense. The path was filled with flowers. They walked slowly in silent prayer, with memories of their favorite leader who had melted like a candle in human service...

The man who used to light a candle every Sunday in front of the church and climb the steps through the crowd to reach the saint. The absence of that smile filled the churchyard with a howling void yesterday. That figure in white will no longer be seen. As an invisible presence, forever remembered in the hearts of the people, forever in the company of the saint...

A lot of people known only to Oommen Chandy comforted his dear wife Mariamma. They held the hands of Chandi, Maria and Achu. A small group from the Thrissur Ollur Punarjeevan Charitable Trust, which included people in wheelchairs, was present in the churchyard. Jobi, Aji, Sanal and Linto, who are paralyzed... their prayer is gratitude for fulfilling a necessity that was mentioned in the past. A holy mass will be offered for Oommen Chandy next month at the Kuriachira church under the leadership of the trust. Like Devasahayam Pillai, Oommen Chandy should also reach sainthood... they expressed their desire openly. Everyone's prayers were for Kunjoonjun yesterday. Kunhalikutty came with his family. Minister GR Anil, MPs NK Premachandran and Hibi Eden stood at the side of the grave as ordinary someones...