Amazing call of God
I regularly attended Sunday Catechism classes in my early stages of life from where I got inspired to be a priest. Many religious and diocesan fathers came to introduce their founders and their work at our school. I used to be interested but I never gave my address. I was afraid to express my desire to them as well as to my parents. I even left school and worked alongside my family catching fish. After a year, my former teacher came to my home and convinced me to return to school. I completed my grade 12th. On summer break, my good neighbor who was in Holy Cross Seminary, came home for his holidays and at that time, I expressed my desire to join priesthood. Then he introduced me to Holy Cross, and he left the seminary. I wanted to give it a try, but the vocation camp was over for that year. I felt my call was so genuine and precious that I would get into a seminary somewhere. Surprisingly, this came true and the Holy Cross Fathers invited me to come and see. Even though selection was over, they let me join anyways.
We were forty-four students in the first year of an Initiation program. I continued my formation for 13 years with lots of cherished moments. I was ordained a priest in 2008. I was happy to choose the motto “Thy will O Lord” for my Ordination. My first appointment was in the Ashram, where I was struggling to cope with the situation. After six months, I was put in charge of formation for five years. Then I was assigned to a school as an interim principal for two months, eventually becoming the administrator in the same school for a year. My provincial then appointed me to be the pastor of the Parish for three years. Now I am in Canada doing parish work. I see my motto “Thy will O Lord” has been working throughout these years. I continue to listen to His will for me and allow Him to make me a channel of his peace.
Father Arockia Sunil Josapath, CSC