The Footsteps of Fr. Rijo Johnson toward Priesthood

            In the archdiocese of Trichur, Kerala, India, Rijo Johnson was born with his identical twin, Sijo to Mr. and Mrs. Johnson Vadakkekudyparayil on June 29, 1981. Rijo was raised by his devoted catholic parents who practice their faith at the parish of St. Joseph Church, Kuriachira, Kerala, in a Syro-Malabar Rite in the Catholic Church, which is predominant in South India. Rijo's religious parents nourished his faith by being involved in all Church activities and most of all by attending Holy Mass daily. When the right age came, he also served his parish as an altar boy and then teaching catechism until he entered in the Vocationary (Minor Seminary) of the Vocationist Fathers. Fr. Edgar da Cunha, S.DV. (currently auxiliary bishop of Newark archdiocese) one of the three Vocationist priests[1] who came to India to open their first mission welcomed Rijo Johnson in the Vocationary on May, 1996. He continued his minor seminary studies under Fr. Jose Frank, CMI who trained Vocationist candidates in the early years and Fr. Michael Reardon, SDV (currently Local Superior of the Shrine of Our Lady of Divine Vocations in Florham Park).

             On October, 2001 he was sent to United States to proceed his religious formation. A year later he entered in the novitiate at Fr. Justin Vocationary in Florham Park, NJ under the guidance of Rev. Fr. Armando Palmieri, S.D.V. (currently pastor of St. Nicholas Parish, Palisades Park, NJ). He took his first vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience and became a member of the Vocationist Fathers community on June 29, 2003 in the hands of Most Rev. Edgar da Cunha, S.D.V. During this time, Rijo had an ardent desire to promote Vocationist Charisma and Fr. Justin’s spirituality throughout the world. With the help of faculties in Seton Hall University and the consent of his superiors, he updated and expanded the website of Vocationist Fathers (www.vocationist.org), and enriched with numerous sources for those who want to study the congregation in depth, which was initiated by Most. Rev. Edgar da Cunha, S.D.V. when he was in the house of Formation in Florham Park.

                        Furthermore, as a professed brother he remained in the Vocationary to continue to help in the community especially with the ailing Fr. Mario Muccitelli, who is the founder of Vocationist mission in USA, and at the same time begun his Educational and philosophical studies in Seton Hall University .

            After a year, he was assigned to St. Nicholas Parish in Palisades Park, NJ where the Vocationist Fathers are rendering their ministry. Being involved with all sorts of ministry in the parish, his religious experience, formation, and spiritual life was enriched; working with the youth, teaching CCD and visiting the sick. With this experience, he became more firmed and determined to follow his vocation and be faithful to God. He perceived that he can be God’s instrument to His people to draw them closer to God through his humble service in the community and in the parish.

            He only stayed ten months in the community at Palisades Park, NJ because his assistance was needed in the community of the Vocationist Fathers at St. Michael’s parish in Newark. With the permission of Fr. General, he was transferred to Newark on March, 2005 where the Vocationist Fathers reside. Since then, he has been with Rev. Fr. Antonio da Silva SDV, Superior and Delegate of the Vocationist Fathers in USA .He received the ministry of Lector on December 03, 2005. He is very pleased with everything he does from the community knowing that he is doing it for the Lord, whom he has been called to serve. He tries to help in whatever he can in different apostolate in the parish. He took his perpetual vows on June 25, 2006 at St. Michael’s Church and also received the ministry of Acolyte on November 25, 2006 from Rev. Fr. Louis Caputo, S.D.V. Since his first day of assignment in Newark he has been involved with the youth group who are preparing for their Confirmation, teaching RCIA, and also leading the prayer group called Our Lady Queen of Peace with adult parishioners.

            He was ordained as a deacon on October 13, 2007 by Most Reverend Edgar da Cunha, S.D.V, auxiliary of the Newark Archdiocese at St. Michael’s Church, Newark, NJ. As a deacon, he tried to fulfill his ministry devotedly. Between the apostolate in the parish and duties in the communities, he also studied his priestly studies at Immaculate Conception Seminary in South Orange, NJ. He completed his priestly formation in seven years. Academically, he earned B.S. in secondary education on May, 2007, and completed his M.A. in systematic theology by graduating on May 12, 2008 with God’s will and blessing.            

These passed seven years of his experience from the two parishes and communities that he had lived with, had made a great impact in his religious formation. It introduced him on how to work with the people of God in which he loved and enjoyed doing. His life and his family has been blessed by God in spite of all the ups and downs of his journey to priestly ordination. His firm love and faith in God supported by his religious parents, twin brother, relatives, friends, and the Vocationist Fathers and Vocationist Sisters has brought him to this joyful and blissful day of his priestly ordination May 24th, 2008. Glory and praise to God for all His favor granted to Rijo Johnson, SDV as he begins his priestly ministry.

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Besides that, the study about Fr.Justin, his Charism and the essence of his spirituality through the help of my superiors and other Vocationist priests has instill in my heart to be a good and holy Vocationist brother and be part of the Vocationist Congregation offering myself to God alone to Him forever. After knowing and studying about the Vocationist Fathers during the course of my formation I have been meditating, praying, and reflecting on my vocation thoroughly within these years to be a holy priest.
-------- Deacon Rijo Johnson, S.D.V. of the Blessed Sacrament