November 6, 2024

By Suzanne Pietropaoli
Staff Writer

At the end of a 27-hour flight from India, Father Jose John Kanyiankunnel arrived in Burlington, Vermont, just after midnight on September 27. A Herald of the Good News recently assigned to the Diocese of Ogdensburg, the priest was warmly welcomed by his new pastor, Father Scott R. Seymour of St. André Bessette Parish in Malone, and Monsignor Denis Duprey, dean of Clinton-Northern Franklin Deanery.

“Father Scott and Father Duprey met me at the airport,” says Father Kanyiankunnel, “and they were so kind, so welcoming. I am very grateful! For me it was such a good first impression: This diocese takes care of its priests!”

Father Kanyiankunnel’s 7,600-mile trip to America, though, is just the latest of his many travels.

“At age 15,” he explains, “I traveled 800 miles by train from my home in Kerala State to enter the Heralds of the Good News. It was my first time away from home, from my family, and it brought me to a different climate, different food, different culture.”

Though it would be a year before he saw his family again, Father Kanyiankunnel adds that “I never felt it hard.”

Growing up in a devoted Catholic family that included his parents, three sisters, and three brothers, the future missionary had known quite a number of priests.

“Many priests visited our family, often on Sundays,” he said. “My mother preferred to feed them well – and first! My father was a long-time parish council member; my older brother and sister taught catechism. We went every day to Mass – not always my favorite thing, though I served from age 7. While we knew many priests, I never thought of priesthood for myself. Then one day after Mass, a (religious) sister pointed to me and said to the priest: ‘This one has the face of a priest.’ That was the first inkling.”

As the years passed, Father Kanyiankunnel recalls, “I found myself wanting to become a missionary. At age 15, I took the exam required for higher education, then had a two-months holiday. At that point, priests we knew tried unsuccessfully to recruit me for seminary. Then one day, I met two priests I did not know. They were across the street from our house, waiting for a bus. It turned out that they were to accompany a new recruit back to their seminary. When they asked what I was doing, I told them that I wanted to be a missionary. As it turned out, they were missionaries, Heralds of the Good News!”

Naturally, the young man invited the missionaries to the family home – to his mother’s delight. The newcomers informed her that her son wanted to be a priest and asked her, “What do you say?” She had no objections, but said they should ask my father. Of course, it was fine with him.

“My parents never thought I would go to seminary, but they were very happy,” Father Kanyiankunnel said. “So were the parish priest and the Sister!”

Before long, Father Kanyiankunnel was on the train to the seminary, where he spent the next two years learning about prayer, priestly life and the congregation he had joined: Heralds of the Good News, a Missionary Society of Apostolic Life. The congregation’s charism focuses on forming and supplying priests to wherever they are needed due to lack of local vocations.

After his first two years, Father Kanyiankunnel was sent to study philosophy – and in a brand-new language! Then came three years of theology studies.

In 2000, the young seminarian was sent to Rome, to the order’s house at Rocca di Pappa. He remembers that as a good opportunity to learn directly from HGN’s founder.

“There should be no day without saying the Rosary, Father Jose Kaimlett liked to say,” Father Kanyiankunnel recalled. “His simplicity and Marian devotion taught me a lot. I also learned from him how to be more approachable. After that year, I was sent to Genoa for four years of theological studies. I returned to India and was ordained a deacon in 2024. On January 5, 2005, I was ordained to the priesthood.”

Father Kanyiankunnel’s first assignment was at a retreat center that focused on the Heralds’ ministry of preaching retreats. Following that “good experience,” Father Kanyiankunnel remained in India to earn his master’s degree in theology. Sent back to Italy in 2009, the priest served various parishes there for the next six years, and then returned to India. For those six years, Father Kanyiankunnel served as headmaster and teacher in a parish school. Then he was appointed to a house of the HGN in his home state of Kerala to promote vocations, continue the work of preaching and oversee construction.

“While there, our provincial asked me if I would go to Ogdensburg, which I was happy to do,” said Father Kanyiankunnel.

Now assigned as parochial vicar at St. André Bessette parish in Malone, Father Kanyiankunnel is getting to know the area and its people.

“Father Scott has kindly shown me around,” he said. “So far, I have seen Plattsburgh, Ogdensburg Lake Champlain and a little of the Adirondack mountains and lakes. This is beautiful country, good landscapes, glorious colors!”

Father Kanyiankunnel’s impressions of his new parish are similarly positive.

“I am very happy to be here with Father Scott (Seymour) and such wonderful parishioners,” he said. “Celebrating Masses I have met so many good people, so warm and welcoming, who want the good of priests and of the Church. I am hopeful that we can all come together to move past the heartbreak of the past, of churches and the school closing. Worshipping together, sharing faith, matters so much more than buildings and material goods.”

Seeing some empty pews on Sundays does not deter Father Kanyiankunnel.

“Our mission in this parish is to bring Jesus to those who may have forgotten him for a while, to bring them the face of Christ,” he said. “My training taught me to be open to any mission and ready for any surprise. Amen.”