“If I could make someone a priest, why couldn’t I ?” The question asked by God.
The answer has to be given by Thomas sir. He replied, “Yes God, you can make someone a priest!”
God said, “Then be my priest!”
Thus Thomas sir became the Lord’s image at the age of 58. Holding the hand of God’s care, he speaks to The Catholic …
Vocation at the Age of 15
Thomas is a member of the Thycautussery Parish in the Angamaly Archdiocese of Ernakulam. Pappy Sir, a Hindi school teacher, was happy to allow his son Thomas to become a priest. Pappy sir’s wife Thressamma was also happy with the decision. When Thomas wanted to become a priest, he first decided that he could become a parish priest.
In the year 1978, after completing the 10th standard, a boy named Thomas entered the seminary to become a priest for the Angamaly Archdiocese of Ernakulam. But a year and a half later, at the age of seventeen, he left his theological studies and returned home. When Thomas returned, he entered has gone for higher studies.
In North India as a Teacher
After his studies, Thomas, like his father, was a teacher and taught in many schools. Thomas worked in various states in northern India for twenty years and thus came to be known as Thomas Sir. The subjects taught by Sir Thomas were English and Sociology. He has served in a number of states including Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. In addition to school classes, Sir Thomas also took tuition for children.
In addition to teaching, Sir Thomas did a small amount of evangelism in northern India. Sir Thomas used to distribute Christian publications to children. Once upon a time some people there made it a problem and defined Thomas Sir not to repeat this act. This caused a great deal of unrest to Sir Thomas. Still, he found solace in prayer and the word.
Continuation of Vocation
Even while working as a teacher, Thomas had a strong idea in his mind that he should become a priest. Many priests and monks recognized Thomas’ desire and gave him instructions. Through his life, Thomas Sir realized that the call of God is a truth that God works beyond man’s ability. The desire that had been in Sir Thomas’s mind when he was an altar boy still lingered.
Some Revelations
Some of the spiritual revelations he received in his life regarding his vocation. Thomas Sir once received a revelation from a nun: ‘God forbid that a man should be made a priest!’
Later, when a spiritual brother prayed for Thomas, he said that he saw Thomas as a confessor. Thomas Sir says that these revelations and visions reaffirmed his calling of God.
To the Dream of the Priesthood
The idea of becoming a priest was growing strong in Sir Thomas. Then other thoughts come to mind – where to enter, when to enter – and so on. He often wondered if his age and health would prevent him from entering the seminary. It was then that the MST priest, Fr. Abraham Pandampadath told Thomas Sir about the Mar Thoma Apostle Dayara Ashram in Nallathanni under the Diocese of Kanjirapally. Finally, Sir Thomas decided to enter the monastery of St. Thomas the Apostle.
Admission to the Monastery
At the age of 50, Sir Thomas entered the Marthoma Apostolic Diocese of Nallathanni for theological training. For two years he lived with the inmates of the monastery in prayer, meditation and work.
In the first year of his monastic life, he studied in-depth monastic life. The second year was the novice. During these two years, it seemed at times that I should leave the monastery. But he was sure he had a call from God.
Once in a dream, Brother Thomas saw St. Euphrasia blessing him with her hand on his head. Euphrasyamma used to say ‘do not leave’ along with a blessing. That dream is still a source of strength to Fr. Thomas. After these two years of monastic life, Fr. Thomas made his first vows.
Brother Thomas began to feel that his mind was being led to more peace and tranquility in monastic life. Fr. Thomas still does not know how that two years have passed. Those were the years that further assured his calling to God.
Back to the Seminary
In 2016, at the age of 52, Brother Thomas entered Vadavathur Seminary for further training; Fr. Thomas reveals that it was a moment of wonder and joy. The accompanying clergymen were much younger than him. But it was who surprised him the most. Years ago, his classmate Fr. Joy Ainiyadan was the Rector of the seminary!
Fr. Thomas completed his Philosophy studies with other 40 students younger than him. His teacher, Fr. Paul Vellarackan was his classmate in his schooldays too. Even though it was not an issue for him to complete his studies. Friendship with his teacher continued outside the classroom. There were classmates in the seminary with Thomas Brother who had difficulty dealing with the subject of English. There, he resumed his teaching career, which he had suspended. Thomas Brother, who was also an accomplished teacher, thus became the English teacher of his classmates.
In 2018, Thomas Brother entered theology studies along with 44 others. Deacon Thomas is pleased to announce that 41 of them have been ordained this year.
The Long-Awaited Priestly Ordination
The days of his years of waiting and prayer have come to an end. Thomas Sir also became a priest. He has ordained as a priest on 2 January 2022, at St. Anthony’s Church, Thaikattussery under the Angamaly Archdiocese of Ernakulam. The life and vocation of Fr. Thomas reveal the mystery of the great vocation of God. There is no early or late call to religious life. He calls at His right time, that mystery reveals by the life of Fr. Thomas and his vocation.
Aiswarya Sebastian