Among CNEWA’s primary activities in the subcontinent of India is support for the formation of men and women to serve the Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara Catholic churches, and, in a very particular way, helping young men like Father Joshy to answer the call of priesthood.

“As we all know, priesthood is an extraordinary vocation,” writes our regional director in India, M.L. Thomas. “And it is our duty to help the church in the formation of the seminarians. Through the kind generosity of our benefactors from the United States and Canada, CNEWA annually supports 2,300 seminarians studying in 17 major seminaries in India and nearly 575 novices studying in 60 houses of formation.

“The formation program for priests and sisters can be a costly affair,” he continues. “To become a priest, a minimum of nine years training is required before ordination — three years of philosophy, one year in service (called a regency period), and more than four years of theological studies.

“Today, more than 12,000 priests and 33,000 sisters of the Syro-Malabar Church, and approximately 800 priests and 2,000 sisters of the Syro-Malankara Church, are working for God’s people in India and abroad. By the grace of God, there are more candidates joyfully answering the Lord’s call of service.”

You can help them answer the call — by placing a call of your own. Call: 1-800-442-6392 (United States) or 1-866-322-4441 (Canada).