Rev. Dr. Thomas Kanjiramukalil
Spiritual Director - 2024
Birth Date : 20 December 1962
Ordination Date : 01 November 1990
Feast Day : 03rd July
Joined AVONA : 24 June 2024
Born on 20th December 1962 in the serene village of Kurampala, Pandalam, Kerala, Fr. Thomas stands as the fifth child (4th son) of the esteemed Kanjiramukalil George Ommen and Mary George. Blessed with a family of deep faith and values, he is one among seven siblings, with four brothers and three sisters. Among his distinguished siblings is Rev. Fr. Sylvester Kanjiramukalil O.I.C., a revered priest serving at the Bethany Ashram, Navjeevan Province, Thiruvananthapuram, embodying the family's unwavering commitment to spiritual devotion and service.
Fr. Thomas laid the foundation of his education at the prestigious Government S.V. High School in Kudassanad, the heart of his native town. In 1979, driven by an unwavering call to serve, he took his first significant step toward a life of devotion by joining the esteemed St. Thomas Minor Seminary in Sultan Bathery, nestled in the tranquil landscapes of Wayanad district, Kerala. There, he embarked on his elementary theological studies with fervent dedication, all while successfully completing his Pre-Degree course at the renowned St. Mary’s College, Sultan Bathery.
In 1983, Fr. Thomas joined the prestigious Jnana Deepa Vidyapeeth (Institute of Philosophy and Religion) in Pune, as well as the Papal Seminary, to pursue his philosophical studies. During this time, he earned a Bachelor of Philosophy degree. Simultaneously, he also secured a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Calicut, showcasing his unwavering dedication to both spiritual and academic excellence. Then he completed one year of regency at St. Thomas Minor Seminary in Sultan Bathery, where he taught Economics, Political Science, and English to pre-degree students, as well as Church History to beginners.
From 1987 to 1990, Fr. Thomas returned to the esteemed Jnana Deepa Vidyapeeth (Institute of Philosophy and Religion) in Pune, along with the Papal Seminary, to further his spiritual and academic journey. During this period, he successfully earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology, deepening his theological knowledge and strengthening his foundation for a life dedicated to faith and service.
Having completed his rigorous studies in Philosophy and Theology, Fr. Thomas was ordained to the sacred priesthood on 1st November 1990 at St. Thomas Malankara Catholic Church in Kudassanad, Pandalam, Kerala,the very heart of his home parish. The momentous occasion was graced by the hands of His Excellency, Most Rev. Dr. Cyril Mar Baselios, the esteemed Bishop of Bathery, whose blessing ushered Fr. Thomas into a life of profound dedication and unwavering service to the Church and its faithful.
In 1995, Fr. Thomas journeyed to the sacred city of Rome to immerse himself in advanced theological studies, seeking to deepen his knowledge and spiritual expertise. In 1997, his relentless dedication bore fruit as he earned a Licentiate in Liturgy from the esteemed Pontifical Oriental Institute, Rome. His scholarly excellence reached its pinnacle in 2000, when he was honored with a Doctorate in Liturgy from the illustrious Pontifical Oriental Institute of Gregorian University, Rome, a testament to his profound mastery and unwavering commitment to the sacred liturgical tradition of the Church.
After attaining his Doctorate in Liturgy, Rev. Dr. Thomas Kanjiramukalil returned to India on 11th October 2000, ready to channel his profound knowledge and unwavering devotion into the service of the Diocese of Bathery. His journey has been marked by an extraordinary legacy of leadership, pastoral care, and spiritual dedication, leaving an indelible impact on the Church and its faithful.
In his early years of service, he held vital positions, including Chancellor of the Diocese (2001–2010), where he played a pivotal role in steering the administrative and spiritual direction of the diocese. His responsibilities also included Notary of the Eparchial Tribunal, Secretary of the Presbyteral Council, Priest Secretary of the Pastoral Council, and Secretary of the Eparchial Curia. From 2001 to 2003, he served as the trusted Secretary to His Excellency, Most Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Divannasios, Bishop of Bathery, further solidifying his reputation as a steadfast pillar of the Church’s leadership.
Rev. Dr. Thomas’s influence extended beyond administrative boundaries, as he became a torchbearer for ecclesiastical excellence. As a member of the Liturgical Commission of the MCC and Consultant for the Synodal Commissions for Seminary and Communication Media (2006), he offered invaluable insights to enhance the Church’s spiritual and liturgical life. His tenure as Rector of St. Thomas Minor Seminary (2006–2009) showcased his visionary guidance in shaping future priests, while his role as Proto-Presbyter of the Pulpally Ecclesiastical District (2010–2015) exemplified his deep commitment to the spiritual upliftment of communities.
From 2010 onward, his leadership soared to greater heights. He served as Member of the Eparchial and Presbyteral Councils, Bursar of Pazhassiraja College, Local Manager and Bursar of St. George ITI, and Local Manager of St. George Schools, Pulpally. His dedication to catechesis shone brightly as Secretary of the Synodal Commission for Catechism (2011–2015) and Diocesan Catechetical Director (2013–2015), inspiring generations with his passion for faith formation.
Rev. Dr. Thomas’s influence transcended diocesan borders. As a Governing Body Member of the NBCLC in Bangalore under the CBCI, and as Director of Pazhassiraja College (2013–2015), he played a pivotal role in shaping academic and spiritual frameworks. As Vicar General of the Diocese of Bathery (2015–2020), his visionary leadership propelled the diocese toward new horizons of growth and service. His tenure as Local Manager (2016–2019) and later CEO (2019–2020) of Mar Baselios College of Education in Sultan Bathery further exemplified his unmatched ability to harmonize faith and education.
From 2019 to 2022, he served as Proto-Presbyter of the Bathery Ecclesiastical District and as Rector of St. Thomas Minor Seminary (2020–2024), inspiring and empowering countless clergy and laity alike.
He has faithfully served as Vicar in over 15 parishes across the Diocese of Bathery. Remarkably, he was appointed and served two separate terms as Vicar of St. Thomas Cathedral, Sultan Bathery (2006–2010 and 2016–2020), demonstrating unwavering commitment and leadership.
On June 24, 2024, Rev. Dr. Thomas Kanjiramukalil embarked on a new chapter in his distinguished ministry by joining the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia (AVONA). He has been appointed to St. Daniel Comboni Parish, Jleeb Al Shuyoukh, and serves as the Spiritual Director of KMRM, overseeing the Malankara Catholic faithful in Kuwait.
He brings with him decades of wisdom, transformative leadership, and an unyielding passion for serving God’s people. His arrival heralds a new era of spiritual renewal and pastoral excellence within the region.