‘My mother is my inspiration for my vocation’
Father Gnanapragasam Mariasoosai celebrated 40 years of priestly ministry May 10. He is pictured with some distant relatives – a couple visiting from India, their daughter and grandson who live in Greensboro and who attended his anniversary Mass. (Photo provided by Father Gnanapragasam Mariasoosai)EDEN – Father Gnanapragasam Mariasoosai, pastor of St. Joseph of the Hills Church, marked 40 years of priestly ministry on May 10.
He recently shared some insights with the Catholic News Herald on his life growing up in India and how his vocation came to be and evolved over the past four decades.
CNH: Were you born a cradle Catholic?
Father Mariasoosai: I was born in a Catholic family, surrounded by Catholic people in a town in India.
CNH: Can you tell us about your vocation?
Father Mariasoosai: My mother was my inspiration (in my vocation). My mother was a woman of great faith and service, a model of sanctity and sacrifice, and understanding, caring and loving. She was good consoler for whoever needed it.
Her key words for me were: “Look with your eyes, and do with your hands with faith.” She was daily attending community evening prayer services in my hometown’s church. Sometimes she used to teach the little children how to pray the rosary, how to adore Jesus Christ in the Eucharist when the priest lifts up the consecrated Host and Blood, how to serve the Church, and how to help the priest, and the poor, so on and so forth.
Her lifestyle inspired me so strongly in order to become a man of faith. She was not only teaching me all the spiritual exercises, but also observing me if I was doing them correctly. She asked me to pray with her every day immediately after the church community’s evening prayer.
I was growing under the care, love and protection of my mother, and she spiritually nourished me in every aspect.
I was also growing physically, spiritually and mentally in a Catholic family atmosphere. At the age of 13, one seminarian named Peter, who lived in my hometown, came to my house and was talking with my mother, and pointing his finger towards me asking her to send me to priesthood formation.
During their conversation, I felt the power of the Holy Spirit pushing me and taking me to our prayer room inside of the house. I recited prayers including the Memorare, and I felt full of joy in front of our prayer room’s religious images.
CNH: Where did you go to seminary and where were you ordained?
Father Mariasoosai: During my seminary formation I earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the University of Madurai, India, and I got a bachelor’s degree in theology at St. Paul’s Seminary in Trichy, India. I was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Madurai, India, by Archbishop Justin Diraviam on May 10, 1981.
CNH: Where have you served over the past 40 years?
Father Mariasoosai: I was happily exercising my priestly ministry for the Archdiocese of Madurai, serving as pastor in various parishes, serving in the college of consultors to the bishop, serving as vicar forane for 19 parishes, and serving as a member of the Diocesan Education Board for all schools in the Archdiocese of Madurai. I was so happily exercising my priestly office in these various areas for 19 years. Then I went to Jamaica for three years to explore pastoral experiences outside of my country. Everything in my life was done by God. Then I came to North Carolina and was sent to serve in Eden, in the Diocese of Charlotte, on June 6, 2003. Then I was appointed administrator to Our Lady of the Angels Mission in Marion, on Sept. 18, 2003; then to Christ the King Church in High Point, and now I am pastor of St. Joseph of the Hills Church in Eden.
CNH: What do you enjoy most about your priestly ministry?
Father Mariasoosai: I was and I am so happy that God called me to be one of His instruments to carry out His mission on earth. I was and I am so happy to serve the People of God for 40 years. I am also so happy to see the sanctifying and healing power of God working through my hands to the People of God every day of my life.
In particular, when I was serving in Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Kingston, Jamaica, I could feel and experience outwardly the power of the Holy Spirit passing through me to the people who were coming to me for blessings after the healing Mass.
When I was hearing confessions in our diocesan Eucharistic Congress, I was so happy to hear from people saying that they were very happy, felt healed, and very peaceful after their confession to me. I am very happy to be an instrument of God for the people by exercising my priestly ministries entrusted to my care.
Every day I say Mass with deep devotion and feeling inside of me that this is my last Mass. I am very grateful to God always for His wondrous blessings, and covering me with His mysterious power. May God bless me and bless all priests in the Diocese of Charlotte.