By Matters India Reporter

Yercaud, May 25, 2020: The first Indian from the deaf and dumb community on May 25 pronounced his first religious vows, in a historical and rare event.

Brother Joseph Thermadom made became a member of the Holy Cross Society as the congregation’s novitiate at Yercaud in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu state.

Joseph hails from the Ernakulam-Angamaly archdiocese in neighboring Kerala state. He was born deaf to Thomas and Rosy Thermadom, who are hearing parents, says a press release from the congregation.

Along with his brother who is also deaf, Joseph received school education in Mumbai.

The press note said Joseph had felt his calling to become a priest when he was quite young, but could not proceed because of various circumstances.

Undeterred by his inabilities, he went on receiving a religious formation under the Dominican Missionaries for the Deaf Apostolate, in the United States. After completing his Philosophical and Theological studies he returned to India.

Joseph then contacted the Holy Cross Society through their ministry for the deaf. When he expressed his desire to join their ministry, he was received at Holy Cross community at Aymanam, a village in Kerala’s Kottayam district, in 2017 as a come-and-see member.

After completing a year of novitiate at Yercaud, Joseph made his first religious vows. He will go for philosophy and theology studies before become a priest.