Bishop David Oakley of Northampton was joined recently by Mar Joseph Srampickal, Bishop of the Catholic Syro-Malarbar Eparchy of Great Britain as the new Vincentian Mission in the Diocese of Northampton was launched at St John’s Catholic Church, Luton.

The Vincentian Congregation is a clerical society in the Syro-Malabar Church. The syro-malabar church is an eastern church based in Kerala, India. It is in full common with the Pope and the worldwide Catholic Church. In our own diocese there are regional divisions in Northampton, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Luton. 

Expressing his hopes for the mission in Luton, Bishop David said: “They will build a wonderful spiritual ministry amongst you. This will be based on eucharistic adoration, the sacrament of reconciliation and spiritual accompaniment” 

The congregation was founded on 20 November 1904 as a Koventha at Thottakom by Fr. Varkey Kattarath, Vicar of Vaikom, with three diocesan priests, namely Frs. Joseph Kariapurayidam, Mani Paramkulangara and Kusumos Kattezhath, with the approval of Mar Louis Pazheparampil, the first Vicar Apostolic of Ernakulam (1896-1919), based on the Common Rules of St. Vincent de Paul. 

Vincent De Paul is a Saint who lived from 1551 -1660. He was a Catholic priest who dedicated himself to serving the poor. Vincentians, both male and female observe three strands to their vows; chastity, poverty and obedience. 

Finally, Bishop David called the town of Luton to respond to the Spirit of God saying,

“By virtue of our baptism, we are all called to a life of holiness. When we embrace the invitation to allow the Spirit of the Lord to work through us, then we too can be signposts of the Lord’s sovereign power at work in Luton today,”

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SOURCE:

https://northamptondiocese.org/