He was a professor of Mathematics at SB College, Changanacherry from 2009 to 2013. Yesterday he has ordained a priest and started to celebrate Holy Mass in the Altar of the Lord. Wealth, profession, status, or education were not a barrier to his priesthood. It is the rarest call of God to fulfill His will through Fr. Jinu Pulparambil CMI. Fr. Jinu is a member of the CMI monastic society of St. Thomas Province, Calicut. The newly ordained priest shares his vocation and its ways to the Catholic.
Vocation in the 30s’
“I was not a very serious person about God’s call and its understanding. After finishing my studies I joined to do a Ph.D. in 2008. When I got a job in college in 2009, I dropped out of my Ph.D. and joined there in SB College. When I started my career, I really felt I have everything now, but my mind was thirsting for something. From that day on, there was a feeling that God is not calling me into family life. So I was about to think of monastic life,” Fr. Jinu recalls his stepping to the priesthood and vocation.
He had no desire to become a priest during his school days. But God had a plan for him and he was waiting for it. While teaching, he used to visit and pray all the churches around the college. He was very keen to attend Holy Mass. But this was not with the intention of becoming a priest. However, this spiritual atmosphere helped to identify the calling of God within Fr. Jinu. It was at the age of 30 that Jinu realized his decision to become a priest and informed his family. Sister’s marriage and other household responsibilities are almost a thing of the past. Jinu informed of his decision first at home. There was nobody to support him. Despite the unfavorable circumstances, Jinu firmly believed that God had called him to the priesthood. After finding God in himself, he decided to enter the seminary. After taking leave from the job, in his 30’s he joined in Seminary to become a priest.
When Cancer Threatened on the Ways of the Priesthood
After completing the first vow, he rejoined in college at the request of his superiors. Later he has got a transfer to St. Joseph’s College, Devagiri, Calicut. He continued his teaching for a year. Then again started the training period at the seminary, he went for Philosophy studies followed by Theology.
During the training period, the fellow candidates were about fifteen years older than Jinu. No age differences were a barrier for him during that time. Since he studied mathematics, Deacon was concerned about how he could study philosophy and theology. But he went forward relying only on God. For the reply for this, he has secured the first rank to Philosophy in the University of Calicut. The deacon believes that they are the result of the prayers of many.
He was peacefully concentrating on his study. There the disease came as a villain. Deacon Jinu was diagnosed with cancer during his theological studies. It was the first stage of cancer – a tumor affecting the kidneys. Everyone was supportive during the surgery. Although he was worried that he would not be able to stay in the seminary due to illness, everyone gave him courage and held on. Priests and other seminaries gained strength during that time. Many people strengthened the brother through prayer. The nuns, priests, and many laypeople stood with prayers for his cure and recovery.
After the operation, the disease completely disappeared miraculously. He doesn’t take medication now. The doctors who scanned her after the operation said that there were no symptoms of such a tumor. However, routine checkups are carried out from time to time.
“Although I had many difficulties during my illness, Jesus was guiding me. I had the experience of being strengthened by many praying during this time,” saying this Fr. Jinu is being grateful towards God. You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. (1 John 4: 4). Understand that presence of God consciously ” this is all that Fr. Jinu has to say about his vocation.
Fr. Jinu was born and hailed in Wayanad. He received his priestly ordination from Bishop Jose Porunnedom, at St. Joseph’s Church, Vellamunda.
Sr. Saumya Muttappallil DSHJ