AN AD THAT CHANGED MY LIFE | KAIROS GLOBAL | SEPTEMBER 2026

Author: Fr Kuriakose Kattoopara OFM Cap

Audio

Intro: It was an invitation from St Francis of Assisi in a newspaper ad that captured the heart and life of Fr Kuriakose Kattoopara OFM Cap.

I am Fr Kuriakose Kattoopara OFM Cap from Kottayam, Kerala, and have been working as a missionary in Assam, India, since 1995. Till the age of 22, I had no desire to be a priest, though I had two uncles who were. 

Part of my schooling and then college were in institutions run by the CMI (Carmelites of Mary Immaculate) fathers. Though I admired the fathers, I was not attracted to their life.

Out of the blue, in May 1984, a sudden desire for vocation seized me when I read a vocation promotion advertisement by the Franciscans in Deepika newspaper. The small column on an inside page of Deepika read, ‘Life is not a bed of flowers, but a crown of thorns. St Francis of Assisi invites you to embrace this life.’ I happened to see this one night while casually browsing through the newspaper. After reading it through, I was overcome by restlessness and lost my sleep.

I kept thinking about St Francis of Assisi, about whom I had studied in the story, The Wolf of Gubbio. St Francis, during a journey, was passing through the forest village of Gubbio, which a fierce wolf was terrorising. The villagers warned him not to go that way because the dangerous wolf had killed livestock and attacked many people. But the saint replied, ‘He is not a dangerous wolf; he is my brother.’ Francis stood at the entrance to the forest and shouted, ‘Brother Wolf, Brother Wolf, come out.’ The terrified people were surprised to see the wolf emerge from the forest and come before the saint. Francis commanded the wolf to cease its attacks in the name of God. Much to the astonishment of the villagers, the wolf came docilely and lay at Francis’ feet.

I was haunted by this image of St Francis, which had mesmerised and captivated me. My heart and soul craved to embrace this saint. I was too restless and could not control my feelings, and was unable to share this with anyone. On the personal front, I was happy with my college education and content with my family, which consisted of my grandmother, parents, two brothers and two sisters. My father loved me very much because I fulfilled all that he entrusted to me, while my elder brother was never inclined to obey him.

My father was a very successful landed farmer, who had good cultivation and a sound economic background at the time. He expected me to support him in all his plans; losing me for any reason was unthinkable. It was also my happiness to help my parents and continue that ordinary life. So I could not tell anyone about this inspiration – unimaginable for my friends and family. Also, I was never a pious youth dedicated to the Church and its activities. During my school and college, I ridiculed friends who entered seminaries – another reason I was ashamed to tell anyone about it. But undeniably, I felt pulled by St Francis.

The next day, without divulging the exact nature of my journey, I left for the Capuchin-run Assisi Ashram in Bharananganam to know more about St Francis and his way of life. A vocation camp was being conducted there, which I was unaware of, and not invited to. I met Fr Vincent Kurusummoottil, the rector, to whom I revealed all my feelings. I shared with him all my past and present, and about my longing for the saint. As I spoke to him, I felt my emotional burden lighten. It felt as if I had landed on an island where I could sense St Francis’ presence.

After three days at Bharananganam, I returned home to make a decision. When I told my family about all that transpired, nobody would believe me because of my earlier disinterest in spiritual matters. My decision to join the seminary delighted my mother, but shocked my father, who had placed all his hopes for the future upon me.

In June 1984, I dared to join the seminary, neither worried about my parents, friends, the farm, nor about my future aspirations. I was thrown into a new world of Franciscan experiences, finding joy in prayer, fasting, austerities, sacrifices, penance, detachment, etc. 

The more I knew about St Francis, the deeper I could enter into the beauty of Franciscan values: humility, poverty, detachment from worldly pleasures, forgiveness, love of nature, taking pride in poverty and deprivations, etc. All my priorities changed, and I found joy in the new way of living with St Francis.

The spirit of Francis has influenced me at all stages of my formation, especially the spirit of simplicity, lowliness, love for nature and solidarity with the poor. During my regency after the philosophy course, I spent a year living with the poor – in a slum, on the seashore, with Adivasis, etc. This life, anchored by no security, strengthened my vocation.

In December 1994, I was ordained and was sent to Assam as a missionary. I’ve lived in extremely undeveloped places to serve the people. All these years of life with the poor people of Assam have been thrilling and fulfilling. Learning new languages and cultures, befriending new tribes and living in the most challenging situations were made possible through God’s blessing. I am a very content Franciscan.

I thank God for my inspiration and Franciscan vocation. St Francis himself has inspired me.

Ordained in 1994, Fr Kuriakose Kattoopara OFM Cap went as a missionary to Assam, NE India, in 1995, where he has been serving in various capacities till today. He holds a Licentiate in Franciscan Studies from Rome.