The 50th anniversary of Father Jacob Vadakkekudy’s ordination as a priest will be in March. He is among the jubilarians whose milestones the Diocese of Helena recently honored. In the following article, Father Vadakkekudy writes about his life. He served in the Diocese of Helena for 10 years, beginning in 1989, and now lives in Livonia, Mich.

A Personal Reflection
by Father Jacob Vadakkekudy
I was born of Catholic parents in a farming family. Christianity in India is nearly as old as Christ. By the time I completed my primary education at a local school my father had passed away. For this reason my studies were interrupted. A few years later I continued my middle and high school career. I was a good student and took part in many extracurricular activities, especially sports for which I won medals and awards.

After my father died, my mother played an important role in our lives. She was a very devout, prayerful person. All the members of the family would gather together every day in the prayer room for the morning and evening prayers. We prayed the rosary every day. My mother was a great source of inspiration and helped me to develop genuine Christian values. I developed a love for the Eucharistic Liturgy by going to Church and praying with her at weekend Masses.

I attended religion classes during 10 years of school life and took an active part in several pious associations, coordinating the many activities. Even though we felt the absence of our dear father, almost all our needs were taken care of, and we grew in an atmosphere of love, mutual respect and self-giving. I remember with gratitude the many people, teachers, priests and religious who deeply touched my life. After completing high school, I received guidance from the Holy Spirit through my mother and spiritual guides.

I answered the call to dedicate my life in the service of the Lord and his people. The two years in minor seminary, the three years of philosophy and four years of theology in the major seminary were years of preparation, growth and maturing. Instruction in the seminary was in Latin with special classes in English. I was ordained to the priesthood on March 12, 1961. Later I pursued a graduate degree in political science.

I am sixth in a family of six brothers and one sister. My sister pursed her call to religious life. Our beloved mother passed away in 1963. Three of my brothers and two of my sisters-in-law passed away, and our only sister passed away in 2003.

After my ordination, I spent my first six months as an associate pastor and then I was made pastor. After serving 21 years in different parishes in my diocese, I left India with the desire to work as a missionary in West Africa. There I spent three fruitful years combining missionary work with teaching. When the three-year contract was completed, I came to the United States.

I was pastor for three years in the Diocese of Bismarck. For one year I was chaplain at a hospital. After four years in the Diocese of Bismarck, I went to the Diocese of Helena, where I served for more than 10 years.

Retiring after that assignment, I exercised my priestly ministry in other dioceses, mostly as chaplain to the hospital and nursing home. I had the great privilege to serve the loving, caring and prayerful people of God in various dioceses in the United States and abroad. At present I take rest in Livonia, Mich.

The 50 years of my life as a priest have been a journey to deeper understanding of me as well as the nature of my call and commitment in the ministry. I would say the greatest work of the priesthood is the joy of working with people in helping them to see the tremendous, limitless love of Jesus for them and also helping them to see the way to live the love of Jesus with each other. For me, celebration of the Eucharist is the most joyful moment of my priesthood.

Looking back, I have a sense of joy that God has guided me through my weaknesses and failures and through my strengths and success. He has given himself to others through me and given me willingness to serve. With humility, I acknowledge that he has used me to be his instrument of love and healing to many souls.

At this celebration of my 50th anniversary of my priesthood, I remember with gratitude my parents and my family, my relatives, my benefactors and friends who helped me to ascend the Holy Altar. On this occasion I would like to thank Bishop George Leo Thomas, Father John Robertson and each and every one who made this event a successful experience. I also wish to thank organizers Father John Wang, Mary Ann McKee, Cheryl Thomas and committee members from Drummond, Gold Creek, Philipsburg, Avon and Harlowton parishes, and administrator Vicki Burgmeier of Drummond and Philipsburg parishes, who made my jubilee celebration at St. Thomas in Helmville such a successful event and grace-filled experience. God bless you.


Web Exclusive published in The Montana Catholic Online, October 2010.