His Beatitude Mar Rapahl Thattil was in Rome due to the Synod of Bishops, concluded last October 27th. Before returning to India, he wanted to visit the College to greet both the Legionary formators and the seminarians, especially those of the Syro-Malabar rite.
On October 28th, the Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church, His Beatitude Mar Raphael Thattil, whose see is the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly, India, visited the Pontifical International College Maria Mater Ecclesiae in Rome. His Beatitude was elected last year as Major Archbishop, and although he had previously visited the College, this was his first visit as head of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church.
The Pontifical College Maria Mater Ecclesiae is an international pontifical seminary run by the Legion of Christ, serving the Church, for the formation of diocesan seminarians and diocesan priests pursuing postgraduate studies.
His Beatitude Mar Rapahl Thattil was in Rome due to the Synod of Bishops, concluded last October 27th. Before returning to India, he wanted to visit the College to greet both the Legionary formators and the seminarians, especially those of the Syro-Malabar rite.
Among the Legionary fathers who welcomed the Major Archbishop was the Delegate of the General Director of the Legion of Christ, P. David Daly, LC, and the rector, P. Pierre Salabert, LC. In his conversation with the formators, His Beatitude Mar Raphael Thattil expressed words of recognition and gratitude for the service that the Legion provides to the Universal Church in priestly formation and, in particular, for the support offered to the Church in India.
Since 1995, when the first Syro-Malabar seminarians arrived, up to today, 129 priests from India have been formed at the Pontifical College Maria Mater Ecclesiae. Many of them serve their ministry not only in pastoral care in parishes but also support formation in their home dioceses. Some also collaborate in diocesan works such as schools, university centers, hospitals in Kerala, and pastoral care of the Syro-Malabar Catholic communities present in Europe, Oceania, and North America.
From the students who completed their formation at our College, last school year, three new priests were ordained, and 10 deacons are already active in their dioceses. In the current academic year 2024-2025, 39 students of the Syro-Malabar rite are being formed at Mater Ecclesiae.
The Syro-Malabar Church is of apostolic origin. It was founded, according to tradition, by the Apostle Saint Thomas. Due to ongoing immigration, it has expanded to several countries outside India. Currently, it has five million faithful and is, among the Eastern Catholic Churches, one of the most active missionary churches. It is the second largest Eastern Catholic community, only after the Greek Catholic Church of Ukraine.
