Young professionals quit jobs to become priests

By Lissy Maruthanakuzhy

Palai, Jan 17, 2022: Father John Purakkattuputhenpura was among several young professionals who are being ordained Catholic priests this year as the Church in India struggles with clergy abuse and other scandals.

These young men have ignored negative reports about priesthood to leave their lucrative and promising careers. All that mattered to them was their inner call, says Father John, who joined the seminary while working as a software engineer (iOS developer).

He was among the 12 deacons who are being ordained priests this year for the diocese of Palai.

Bishop Joseph Kallarangattu of Palai ordained John January 14 in his native parish St Thomas Church, Cheenkallel under the Syro-Malabar diocese.

The first ordination was on December 27, 2021, and the last on January 26 will also be a late vocation.

Sister Lissy Maruthanakuzhy, a special correspondent of Matters India, spoke to Father John.

What influenced you to become a priest?

Prayerful atmosphere in the family has been a source of inspiration. From my young age I grew up with my grandparents who were very prayerful persons. I have also maternal aunties who are nuns. From childhood I believed I belong to Jesus. I had this inner feeling that God wants me, but I could not express it earlier.

Generally young people join seminary after 10th or 12th grade. What made you wait?

I felt I was too young to make a decision after my class 10. So I continued my studies. I was not sure how my family would react if I told them about my desire. I was a good student participating in all competitions and quiz program. I attributed all my achievements to Jesus. I believed it was with the help of Jesus that I was achieving success.

I passed the 12th grade with good marks. I was confused. I began asking myself if I was worthy to be a priest. I did not want my parents to spend much on my studies. So after 12th I thought of joining a degree course. I have two elder brothers, both engineers. My parents wanted me to follow their path. At my parents request I wrote the entrance exam.

So you followed your brothers’ path?

(Smiles) On purpose I did not do well in the entrance exam. Still I got admission based on my good 12th grade results together with entrance marks. I believe it was all God’s plan that I did not get admission in a government college which would mean that I would have to stay in a hostel, away from my family.

Didn’t you like hostel life?

The atmosphere in the hostel is different. Life with friends there would be entertaining but there are chances to fall into the temptations of the world. While attending B Tech classes from home (at St Joseph’s College, Choonacheril, Bharananganam), I continued as an altar server and grew in the prayerful atmosphere of home. I had this thought always that I was studying for God. So when thoughts of love-relationship flashed in my mind, God’s grace made me understand it was not for me.

What was the turning point in your life?

During the third year of my college I attended a retreat at Divine Retreat Centre in Muringoor [in Kerala’s Trichur district]. My only prayer during the retreat was, Lord, help me make a decision for my life. While announcing the blessings received, the priest announced that there are three persons called to follow God’s call. I felt I was one of them, and accepted the call and felt at peace. It was May 16. And I prayed that by this time next year, Lord show me what I have to do in life.

Meanwhile I was fortunate to do several tough projects for government organizations as part of my studies, won various contests and received one award of 50,000 rupees. I felt God was doing everything for me and through me. There were students more intelligent than me, but I was doing better.

My course was Electronics and Instrumentation which had a lot of job opportunities in India and overseas. Many of my colleagues are now working abroad. Unexpectedly during campus selection, I was the only one selected. Again it was May 16. God kept his promise. I believed God was giving me the opportunity to reflect and prepare myself for my future.

Did you accept the selection?

Yes. I accepted the job offer at Triassig Solution at Technopark, Thiruvananthapuram. I joined as Software Engineer (iOS developer). Here I was able to do several difficult projects with the help of God.

After working 10 months I was able to make a decision for my life—to be a priest of God. As the norm I gave my resignation three months before leaving the job. Many of my colleagues discouraged me saying I was doing a foolish thing, that I would be earning a better salary soon. I had a bright future ahead in the company. But I was not attracted by big salary. I grew up in a rather wealthy family. So money was never an attraction for me.

Somehow I felt I was for Jesus. Whenever I wanted an assurance I would seek the Bible. Isaiah 43:1 was my guiding light. While working I also attended Mass daily.

On April 4, 2014, I left the job. I told my parents the reason for leaving the job was due to workload. Because I was afraid they would discourage me if I told them my real intention.

Meanwhile I mentioned about my desire to my parish priest Father Joseph Kaduppil. I went to see the vocation director of the diocese. When he learned that I had not informed my parents, he told me to come for interview only with the blessings for my parents. So that day after night prayer I told my parents and brothers. At first they were shocked. But then they accepted.

Who else helped you choose this way of life?

We had a parish priest who was very loving and affectionate — Father George Vanchipurackal. I was a regular altar server. I enjoyed being around the parish priest who used to surprise us with small gifts. I must say his presence and dealings were very encouraging though I had never mentioned to him about my future desire.

Did you face any adjustment problems in seminary training? Late vocations usually have problems adjusting to their companions who are much younger.

I had a companion who had left his bank job. We looked at young companions as our younger brothers. We really loved them. The priest in charge gave us responsible activities to exercise leadership. That was a very encouraging gesture. After seven months in minor seminary we joined a senior group doing degree studies. So I did not experience much age gap. I did my philosophy in Aluva (Kerala) and theology in Satna (Madhya Pradesh).

What are your future plans? What are your priorities as a priest?

I want to be a preacher of the Word. Want to lead people to God. Whoever listens to me ought to experience some change. My strength is my closeness to Jesus.

Is Catholic priesthood relevant in this era?

As long as a human being is in need of God, Catholic priesthood is relevant. Jesus said, “Do this in memory of me.” Only a priest can do it. A priest is the heart, and mind of Jesus in the world. People love priests. What they hate are the actions that do not go along with the priesthood.

What do you say about the seminary formation?

I feel it is necessary that we internalize what we learn. We need to concentrate on personal formation to understand well people who come to us. This will happen only when we allow “Jesus to be formed in us.”