In the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, there is a Catholic priest, Kuriakose Vayalumkal, often known as Father Rajesh, who is widely known for his care for the destitute.
He is a member of the Missionary Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament (MCBS), an Indigenous Catholic Clerical Religious Congregation of Pontifical Rights in the Syro-Malabar Church. Its headquarters are in Kerala, a southern Indian state.
At 25, Rajesh felt a strong desire to participate in social development activities. He understood that his purpose was to serve as a Christ-following priest. The life-changing retreat at Kulathuvayal reinforced this spiritual understanding.
He is well-known for his unwavering dedication to improving society. His unusual journey to the priesthood followed his involvement in the Jesus Youth ministry and several commercial ventures.
Through this ministry, he developed relationships with abandoned people and street children.
The realizations he had during this retreat, along with the spiritual encounters he had faced along the way, brought him one step closer to living a life dedicated to serving God.
The teachings of the Bible firmly ground Rajesh's commitment to the priesthood. He thinks that 1 John 3:16, which describes how Jesus' death on the cross taught him about love, urges him to imitate Christ's selflessness.
He commits his time and resources to helping the mentally ill and impoverished with humility.
His conviction stems from the concept that, since love is God's fundamental nature, he must love everyone as much as he loves God.
Rajesh's dream is to give the lonely people left on the streets without a family or community a place to live, care for, and help them.
Establishing philanthropic homes and shelters that provide these defenseless people with the dignity they deserve is part of his mission.
His goal is to establish a nationwide network of shelters that offer food, medical attention, and solace to those in need.
Following the model of Christ’s sacrifice and dedicating one’s life to serving humanity is the noblest calling, according to Father Rajesh.
Through small acts of love and compassion, he endeavors to make the world a kinder place, one person at a time. This, he believes, is the key to lasting contentment.
Father Rajesh's vocation, as a priest affiliated with the MCBS congregation, is deeply rooted in compassion and service to the marginalized.
His congregation founded 'Anbu Illam,' which translates to 'House of Love' in Tamil, and he serves as its director. The Home for Destitute and Street Children is in Vadakara, Tenkasi, and now Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.
Joseph Sebastian, a humanitarian, donated the land for the establishment.
Rajesh solicits help from all walks of life, including local merchants and businesses in cash or kind, to feed and support the inmates at "Anbu Illam.”
This shelter provides food, medical care, and comfort to individuals abandoned on the streets without support.
“We are making efforts to create a society rooted in love, hope, and dignity for the neglected,” Father Rajes says.
He wears many hats—priest, advocate, and social activist.
"We want to make a difference in the lives of the poor. We strive to provide dignity and happiness to the impoverished," he says. "Shepherding people's lives on the periphery of society brings us God’s blessings.”
