In his Testament, Saint Francis of Assisi spoke of how “the Lord gave me brothers.” In the beginning, they came from his native Assisi, but then they came from beyond, first from all of Umbria in Italy and then from all of Europe. Today, God gives the Capuchins of our Province brothers, not only from New York and New England, but also from all over the world.
One of them is Fr. Royson Menolickal, who observes his silver jubilee of priesthood this year. Father Royson came to us from the Province of St. Joseph in Kerala, a state on the southwestern coast of India. The Capuchins first established a novitiate in India in 1922, and 50 years later, the Indian province was partitioned into four new provinces, including the Province of St. Joseph in Kerala.
Father Royson was born in 1970 in Josegiri, Kerala, and was the fourth of six children. (He has seven nieces, three nephews, and four grand nieces.) He was invested as a novice in May 1990, made his perpetual vows in May 1997, and was ordained in November 1998. For his first 15 years as a friar, he served in Kerala in parishes and as an educator.
Advanced studies in pastoral counseling brought him to the United States in 2005, and Father Royson eventually felt called to remain in our Province with his newfound brothers. In 2012, he became parochial vicar at St. Thomas, a Syro-Malabar Catholic church in the Bronx, and in 2016, he also became director of St. Joseph Mission in Buchanan, N.Y., serving the Syro-Malabar community in the Hudson Valley. In addition, he helps the Province arrange visas for other guest friars who serve for a period in our Province and missions, especially friars from Holy Trinity Province in Karnataka, India.
We interviewed Father Royson recently on the occasion of his priestly jubilee. The following interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.
Tell us how you became a Capuchin. Why did you feel called to be a friar?
I come from a family with several priests and nuns in the family. They all were giving me an inspiration to choose a way of life that will give fulfillment as a true Christian. After my studies in agriculture, I was asking the question to myself: What is the meaning of my existence here on earth, and what shall I do to fulfill my plan? Then, in the course of time, I was thinking of joining the religious life, but which one? I went to the Capuchins after debating with several other congregations. When I saw the life of the friars, I got the inner conviction that these guys are really challenging me, and God is showing me a new path for my existence in this world.
Tell us about your home province. What is Capuchin life like in India?
The life of the friars in Kerala is challenging, and the friars keep a strict religious life by giving importance to community life and spiritual life. As the province does not have many institutions, they concentrate more on the preaching ministry. The mission retreats are highly appreciated, and we get a lot of vocations from the parishes.
Describe the ministries you performed before you joined the Province of St. Mary.
I worked as the administrator of St. Thomas Pilgrimage Center at Malayattoor and assistant pastor at Malayattoor St. Thomas Church in 1998-1999. I was vice principal of St. Jude Higher Secondary School, Mukhathama Kollam, from 1999 to 2003. I was also pastor at St. Jude Syro-Malankara Church, Mukhathala; St. Joseph Church, Puliyila; and St. Antony Church, Pallimon. I was professor of philosophy at Vijnananilayam, Eluru, Andhra Pradesh, from 2003 to 2005.
Tell us how you came to the Province of St. Mary.
In 2005, I came to Fordham University for my studies in pastoral counseling. I was welcomed by Fr. Michael Banks, the provincial minister at the time. I was assigned to Our Lady Queen of Angels Friary in East Harlem, New York City, and remained there until 2007. Then I moved to Good Shepherd Friary in Inwood, New York City, as we took the parish. When I finished my studies, I found the ministry here more fulfilling, as we have few priests and more ministerial opportunities. Then my thoughts were shared with the provincials of both provinces, here and in Kerala. Fr. Francis Gasparik, the provincial minister, welcomed me to the Province of St. Mary. The Capuchin general curia confirmed my transfer to the Province of St. Mary. After becoming a member of the Province, I lived at Sacred Heart Friary, Yonkers, and Good Shepherd Friary.
The friars in the Province are showing me a real brotherly love, and I thank each one of you for accepting me as your brother.
Tell us about your current ministry in New York. How do you serve the Church and the people of God?
While living at Good Shepherd Friary, I minister to the Syro-Malabar Catholic community in the Bronx and in Buchanan. These two parishes are Eastern Rite Catholic communities tracing their origin back to the apostle St. Thomas. I, too, help the Syro-Malankara Catholics when they are in need of service. The ministry in the parish is exciting and challenging. We have a strong youth group in the parish that gives real hope for the growth of the church.
What do you enjoy about living and working in the Province of St. Mary? Describe your relationship with the friars.
The primary thing I enjoy in the Province and the friary is being with brothers. The prayer life and the community activities give real Franciscan joy. The challenge the brothers put forward always gives an opening for spiritual growth. The readiness of the brothers to share the community activities is something very remarkable.
What are the challenges of living and working in the Province?
The real challenge in the Province is the lack of vocations. A diminishing number of the friars limits our ministerial fields and our presence in different places. As a Province, we, too, need to broaden our thoughts regarding new vocations from different cultures.
How does being a Capuchin friar help you be a better follower of Jesus Christ? How do your Capuchin brothers help you?
Each vocation is a call to follow Jesus Christ by being in the presence of God and fellow human beings. In moments of prayer, one experiences the presence of God, both through community prayers and personal meditation. The brothers in the community help each other by being present to one another during community prayers. The community that prays together will stay together and establish a strong support for each other’s spiritual growth.
How does the Church and community you serve help you be a better Capuchin friar?
The parish community where I work really loves the Capuchins. Daily, they pray for their pastors and encourage the youth to discern their vocation. We already have a few vocations from the parish.
