Two New Deacons for the Syro-Malankara Catholic Exarchate

  • Posted on: 15 July 2012

Elmont, New York - July 14, 2012
July 14 is a day of exceptional importance for the Syro-Malankara Catholic Exarchate in the USA. It was on this day in 2010, that in God’s wonderful providence, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI established an Apostolic Exarchate for the Syro-Malankara Catholics in the USA. On the second anniversary of this historic event, the same Loving Providence called two excellent sons of this Church, Br. Lintu Markose and Br. Michael Edathil to the ministry of diaconate in the Church. In a very impressive liturgical celebration held at the St. Vincent de Paul Church, Elmont, New York, His Excellency the Most Rev. Dr. Thomas Mar Eusebius, Bishop of the Exarchate, ordained Br. Lintu Markose and Br. Michael Edathil to the Order of Diaconate. His Excellency the Most Rev. Yoohanon Mar Chrysostom, Bishop of the Eparchy of Pathanamthitta, was a concelebrant. Very Rev. Msgr. Peter Vaccari, Rector of St. Joseph’s Seminary, New York and also the official delegate of His Excellency the Most Rev. William Murphy, Bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Center, delivered the homily during the liturgical celebration. Around 20 priests concelebrated in the liturgy and around 550 people participated in the celebration. After the liturgical celebration, His Excellency Mar Eusebius, His Excellency Mar Chrysostom and Rev. Msgr. Peter Kochery, Vicar General of the Exarchate felicitated the new Deacons. Deacon Lintu Markose thanked everyone on behalf of the new deacons.

Deacons Lintu and Michael are the first persons to receive the Order of Diaconate for any Catholic Church of Indian origin in America. Br. Lintu hails from Chicago and his parents are Mr. Mathew Markose and Mrs. Sherly Markose. His brother is Steve. Br. Michael hails from Philadelphia and his parents are Mr. Philip Edathil and Mrs. Rajamma Edathil. John is his brother and Aileen and Jocelyn are his sisters.

During this celebration, two other seminarians of the Exarchate, Br. Jerry Mathew and Br. Jobin Thomas received their cassock (vestition) from the Bishop of the Exarchate.