Father Anthony's Biography

Fr.Anthony was born on 01^st May 1977, the eldest of four children (two boys and two 2 girls).  Both his parents are alive and live in Kerala, India.

From as early as he can remember, he wanted to become a priest.

He completed his priestly formation in India and in Kenya, E.Africa and was ordained as a priest of the Vincentian Congregation, Kerala, India on 29^th of December 2006.  He celebrated his first Holy Eucharist on 6^th of January 2007.

After his Philosophical studies in Bangalore, India he was sent to Nairobi, Kenya for one year pastoral formation in 2002.  Then he continued his theological studies in one of the most famous international college in Africa called “Tangaza College”. 

There were students from more than 77 nationalities studying there with the result he received a great international exposure during his time there.

On 14^th May 2006, he was ordained as a Deacon in Nairobi, Kenya.  During his formation in Kenya he got ample opportunities, with his brother priests, to conduct 3 day retreats (JESUS MISSION RETREATS) for the secondary school students in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. He was also helping priests by giving homilies in different parishes throughout Nairobi every Sunday.  He also found time to teach Catechism to young children in different parishes. He was in charge of many youth groups in various parishes.  He made sure that the youth were well looked after regarding their spiritual welfare.  During his deaconate, he also had the opportunity of doing some beautiful programmes in different parishes, such as retreats with prisoners, missions and other different programmes. 

During his 5-year stay in Nairobi,  Fr. Anthony offered his services to the Vincentian Prayer House, which is one of the Vincentian retreat centers in East Africa. 

Immediately after his ordination, his Provincial Superior sent him to Uvinza, Tanzania for pastoral ministry.  With two months of successful experience behind him in pastoral ministry, his Provincial Superior appointed him to Entebbe, Uganda with two responsibilities:

1) Finance officer and giving daily retreats in the Vincentian Retreat house, Entebbe.   Fr. Bill was his Superior in this house.

2) To start a new retreat center in Masaka, Uganda. 

Masaka was almost 180km. from Entebbe. There, with the support of his brother priests, he built a beautiful retreat house for the priests.  This new building was inaugurated on the day of Fr. Bill’s 80^th Birthday (23rd Feb 2008). 

During the last few weeks of Fr. Bill’s life, Fr.Anthony was with Fr. Bill.  After Fr. Bill’s death the Provincial Superior appointed Fr.Anthony as the successor to continue the ministry of Fr. Bill.