Melwin Thurakal's most awaited moment this summer was his ordination as a deacon on July 4, 2025 in the cathedral of Tellicherry (India), after finishing his studies in Rome. He writes to celebrate with the benefactors of the CARF Foundation and to thank them for all the help he has received.
Melwin Thurakal Jaison was born in Kerala (India) on April 7, 1997. He grew up in a context of living faith and strong cultural identity in his home state of India.
Thanks to a help of the CARF Foundation, Melwin was able to carry out the first cycle of Theology in Romewhich ended last June.
"First of all, I would like to thank the benefactors for giving me the opportunity to pursue my theological studies at the Pontifical University of the Holy CrossI finished my third and final year of this transformative experience in Rome, where I was filled with gratitude for the support that made this journey possible.
Kerala, a southern Indian state with 35 million inhabitants, known worldwide as the land of spices because of its trading history with East and the West is a region characterized by a high level of education (over 96 % literacy rate, one of the highest in Asia), a strong cultural identity and an exemplary religious coexistence between Hindus, Muslims and Christians.
"I come from the archdiocese of Tellicherry in Kerala and come from a close-knit family of five. My father is a farmer, my mother is a devoted and dedicated homemaker. My elder brother works in the merchant navy and my younger brother is an engineer in dairy technology. Each of them inspires me with their example of hard work, dedication and service."
Growing up in a state like Kerala marked his life, since the Christian presence in this region is very ancient and significant: according to tradition, the apostle saint Thomass arrived on these shores in 52 AD.
Today, about 18 % of Kerala's population - more than 6.3 million people - is Christian, of which the majority are Catholics, organized in 31 dioceses belonging to different rites: Latin, Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankar.
This diversity makes Kerala a true melting pot of cultures and traditions, where the Catholic faith has flourished strongly and continues to bear abundant fruits of priestly and religious vocations that serve not only in India, but also throughout the world.
At his diaconate ordination, Melwin pledged to live an even greater commitment according to the principles of his faith.
"I am a member of the Catholic Church siro-malabarfounded by St. Thomas the Apostle in the 1st century. This Church is one of the 23 Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with Rome and is today the second largest, with more than 4 million faithful in India and in the diaspora (United States, Europe, Australia and the Middle East)".
"My Church has maintained over the centuries the Eastern Chaldean liturgy, of profound biblical beauty, celebrated in the Malayalam language and in some communities also in Syriac.
Its history is marked by moments of persecution, but also of great missionary vitality: many priests, religious and lay people have brought the Gospel from Kerala to other parts of the world".
"Our Church has a rich spiritual, cultural and liturgical tradition that continues to inspire vocations and sustain numerous dioceses.
We are deeply committed to our roots, although today more than ever we need missionaries who, in the style of the Mother Teresamay bring Christ with the testimony of love".
His ordination as a deacon marked the beginning of a new chapter in his life of service and faith. Traditions, reading and sports formed his character and fueled his desire to serve in the life of the community to which he belongs.
"In my free time I enjoy the art of embroidery, a tradition from my region that allows me to express creativity and stay connected to my cultural heritage. I am also passionate about reading, especially history books.
Sport has marked my life: I have always loved volleyball, which I played on a well-known team during my school years. Karate also taught me discipline and self-control.
It was a key pastoral experience, however, that caused Melwin to recognize your call to priesthoodservice to the elderly.
"A turning point in my path to the priesthood came during my service in a nursing home. Caring for the elderly - bathing them, feeding them - was not only a duty, but a profound spiritual experience.
In these situations of fragility I felt the presence of God. Each gesture became an invitation to reflect on the Lord's suffering and the compassion needed in ministry. That experience transformed my heart and opened me to the reality of the most forgotten.
In Rome, Melwin was able to deepen his theological formation and his experience of the universal Church, thanks to the academic formation and life in the international seminary Sedes Sapientiae.
In Rome, I carried with me the lessons learned in pastoral work and the constant love of my family, praying with commitment for all the people I have met along the way, especially for those who have touched my heart in a special way.
"Thank you to the benefactors of the CARF Foundation for accompanying me on this sacred path to the priesthood. Your support and encouragement continue to mean so much to me and drive me to want to leave a footprint of compassion and hope in the lives of others."
"My journey has just begun, but each step gives me a greater sense of purpose and prepares me to embrace my vocation to serve others with faith and love."
"I am immensely grateful to them, because they have been instrumental in my academic formation, and during my diaconate ordination I prayed for each of them."
Diaconate ordination is the first degree of the sacrament of Holy Orders in the Catholic Church, by which a man is consecrated a deacon to serve the people of God through the proclamation of the Word, charity and liturgy. In the Acts of the Apostles the origin is narrated:
"In those days, as the disciples multiplied, there were complaints from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in daily attendance. The Twelve called the assembly of the disciples together and said, 'It does not seem right that we should forsake the Word of God for the sake of serving tables. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom, and we will put them in charge of this office; while we will devote ourselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word."
And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte of Antioch; and they presented them to the apostles, and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them" (Acts 6:1-6).
Gerardo FerraraDegree in History and Political Science, specializing in the Middle East. Head of the student body at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome.
