The First Priest for the Exarchate

  • Posted on: 6 July 2013

July 6, 2013 Doylestown, PA A day of great jubilation and thanksgiving, on July 6, 2013, Bishop Eusebius ordained the first priest for the Exarchate, Reverend Father Michael Edathil. Father Edathil is the first priest to be ordained by Bishop Eusebius, the first priest of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Apostolic Exarchate in the United States, and the first priest to be ordained for an Indian Catholic community in the United States. The ordination service began with a solemn reception to His Excellency Bishop Eusebius, the visiting bishops (Bishop Brennan of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, Bishop Mar Chrysostom of the Eparchy of Pathanamthitta, and Bishop Mar Thomas of the Eparchy of Bathery), and the ordinand. During the celebration of the Holy Qurbono, His Excellency Bishop Eusebius gave an exhortation of the sacrament of orders and what it meant to be a priest, drawing from the wealth of the Catholic tradition and his own experiences.

The solemn service of ordination was conducted after the Service of the Saints. During this service, Bishop Eusebius was assisted by his brother bishops. After the epiclesis and laying on of hands, the Exarchate had its first native priest - a historic and joyous moment. Several hundred people participated in this event, including many priests, women religious and members of the lay faithful. After the celebration of the Holy Qurbono, a message from His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos was read and the visiting bishop felicitated the newly ordained priest. After a welcome from the Vicar General, Msgr. Peter Kochery, Father Michael Edathil addressed the gathered crowd for the first time as a priest, offering thanks to all who participated in bringing him to this moment.

Father Edathil, 28, is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Philip and Rajamma Edathil of the St. Jude Malankara Catholic Church of Philadelphia, PA. He has two sisters, Aileen and Jocelyn, and one brother, John. They ought to be commended for the way in which they fostered the vocation of this young priest. The Exarchate congratulates the family of Father Edathil as well as Father Edathil himself and wishes him well as he embarks on his priestly ministry.

A special word of thanks to the organizers and various committees and persons who helped make this historic event, one of prayer and beauty.