Several years ago, I began my first pastor assignment at Queen of Heaven Parish in Cherry Hill, which is now the Catholic Community of Christ Our Light. During this period, I was first introduced to members of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, a community within the broader Catholic tradition originally from India.
On a monthly basis, one of our priests, Father Jose Manjakunnel – who is currently pastor of Saint Stephen Parish, Pennsauken – would celebrate Mass specifically for local Syro-Malabar Catholics. At his invitation, I had the opportunity to concelebrate one of these liturgies. The Syro-Malabar Rite traces its origins to the Chaldean Church in Persia. Many from this group now worship within the boundaries of my present parish in Atco, gathering in what used to be Saint Lucy Parish in Blue Anchor. Saint Lucy’s, which merged with four others to become Christ the Redeemer Parish, is now Saint Jude Syro-Malabar Catholic Church.
This month, I received an invitation from the pastor of Saint Jude Syro-Malabar Church, Father Vincent Pangola, to celebrate Mass at his parish, as it was the 100th anniversary of the church building. He also invited all those who worshiped at the former Saint Lucy Parish to attend the anniversary Mass. The church was beautifully decorated, with Catholics from the Latin and Syro-Malabar Rites worshipping and sharing in fellowship. Following the Mass, we all went downstairs to the hall, where they put out a wonderful spread and invited former members of Saint Lucy’s to share stories about their memories and experiences of being part of the former parish.
Many people recounted experiences and expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to return to the church. Additionally, they conveyed their happiness to see Saint Lucy Church being used by a vibrant worship community.
The Syro-Malabar Catholic Church is an Eastern Catholic Church with roots tracing all the way back to the missionary work of Saint Thomas the Apostle in India. It is just one of the 22 self-governing Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Roman Catholic Church. Most of the adherents of the Syro-Malabar Church reside in the state of Kerala, India. According to the traditions of the Syro-Malabar Church, Saint Thomas established several Christian communities in Kerala in 52 AD. These Christians are known as Saint Thomas Christians. The Syro-Malabar Church’s liturgy and spiritual traditions are rooted in the East Syriac or Chaldean traditions. Over time, the Saint Thomas Christians developed ties with the Church of the East.
European missionaries, particularly from Portugal, arrived in India and attempted to Latinize the Syro-Malabar Church, leading to tensions and a schism in the 17th century by some Saint Thomas Christians. Following the schism, the Syro-Malabar Church gradually reestablished its distinct identity, with a growing sense of self-governance. In 1923, Pope Pius XI formally recognized the Syro-Malabar Church as an autonomous Eastern Catholic Church with its own hierarchy. In 1992, Pope Saint John Paul II elevated the Syro-Malabar Church to the status of a Major Archiepiscopal Church, with its own major archbishop as the head of the rite. While primarily based in Kerala, the Syro-Malabar Church has a growing presence in other parts of India and around the world, including the United States, Europe and Australia, due to migration.
On June 18, 2016, Bishop Dennis Sullivan joined the bishop of the Saint Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago, Mar Jacob Angadiath, in dedicating the then-new Saint Jude Syro-Malabar Church in Blue Anchor.
I look forward to celebrating their 10th anniversary in 2026!
Father Joseph D. Wallace is diocesan director of Ecumenical and Inter-religious Affairs and pastor of Christ the Redeemer Parish, Atco.
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