My name is Sahaya Arul Alex, and I was born in a beautiful village called Azhickal which is situated in the district called Kanyakumari in the state of Tamil Nadu in southern part of India. I have an older brother and a twin sister and my mom and dad. I come from a fishing family. My father and my brother are fishermen. Though I come from a poor family I enjoyed every bit of my childhood. Now my brother and sister are married and have their kids. My parents are in their 70’s and still doing well.
My call to vocation to priesthood
When I was doing my second grade at school I met a priest named Sathyamurthy, he was a good and holy priest that I have ever met in my life. The way he related with people and the way he showed his care and concern for the poor and the needy made me to think that I should become like him one day. Only later I learned that he was not a Catholic at birth, but he was a converted catholic from a Hindu family. As I was an altar boy, I had an opportunity to spend some quality time with him talking with him and learning about how to become a priest. Therefore, he was the one who planted the seed of desire for priesthood in my heart.
Formation and priesthood
I joined The Society of the Catholic Apostolate religious order in 2004 soon after the tsunami disaster destroyed my village and also my country. I did my vocation orientation course at Madurai, Tamil Nadu in 2004-2005. I did my high school in Chennai, Tamil Nadu from 2005-2007 and I did my novitiate at Bangalore, Karnataka in 2008. After my novitiate I did my college in Chennai, Tamil Nadu from 2009-2011. After which I did my philosophy at Assagao, Goa from 2012-2013. Then I did my theology in Mysore, Karnataka from 2014-2018.
I was ordained on 7th May 2018. My first assignment was to work in our school as teacher and later I was appointed as the administrator of our school in Salem, Tamil Nadu. I worked there for two years. After that I was appointed as an associate pastor in three different dioceses (Archdiocese of Thanjavur, Archdiocese of Kumbakonam, and Archdiocese of Kottar.] before I left my country to serve this great nation.
My ministry in the United States of America
I, along with my companion came to the United States on February 1st, 2023. I began my pastoral ministry as an associate pastor at the National Shrine of little Flower Basilica from March to June 2023 for four months. After which I was appointed as an associate pastor at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, and I began my pastoral ministry from the month of July 1, 2023, until June 31, 2025. And now I have come to serve the Disciples Unleashed Family of Parishes starting from July 1, 2025.
Conclusion
I felt the presence of God in all through my life strengthening, guiding, protecting, leading in ups and downs of my life for which I am deeply grateful to him. I also thank God for surrounding me with good people who always love, care, and appreciate me. Finally, I thank every one of you for your prayerful support and for your love.
God bless,
Rev. Fr. Sahaya Arul Alex SAC
