HONG KONG (SE): The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate [OMI] in Hong Kong welcomed a new priest to their community as Reverend Stebin Thomas was ordained to the priesthood by Cardinal Stephen Chow, S.J. on November 8 at St. Alfred’s Church in Tai Wai. Father Thomas is the first Indian Oblate to be ordained in the Diocese of Hong Kong.
The Mass was concelebrated by more than 30 priests, including the provincial from Australia, Father Andrew Chen omi, delegation superior of China Father Rodolfo Jacobe omi, parish priest of St. Alfred’s Father Luc Rene Young Chen Yin omi, over 30 other Oblate missionaries, and priests from various congregations.
Following his ordination, Father Thomas will serve at St. Alfred’s until next year, when he will receive a new assignment.
During the ordination ceremony, Father Jacobe recommended Reverend Thomas to the cardinal, who reminded him that the priestly role is challenging and calls for humility and peace. The cardinal emphasised the importance of reflecting on God’s word and living as examples for the faithful, especially in the sacrament of reconciliation, where priests should heal with compassion. He also stressed the need for spiritual life and unity with the bishop in a divided world.
The newly ordained said he will not forget the teachings of Father Nuel Sison and other formators from the Philippines, who taught him how to be a servant close to people. He also thanked Father Roman Bernabe, who came from the Philippines to offer encouragement
Reverend Thomas, in response, made his promises to be committed to his duties to follow Jesus Christ, shepherd the flock, proclaim the good news, and be obedient to his bishop and superiors.
Cardinal Stephen and all the concelebrating clergy then laid hands on Reverend Thomas and recited the prayer of ordination.
Father Jacobe and Claretian Father Jojo Ancheril then assisted the newly-ordained in vesting with the priestly chasuble and mantle in Eastern Catholic Church style.
At the end of the ceremony, Father Chen read the First Obedience Letter written by Oblate superior general, Father Luis Ignacio Rois Alonso, in Rome, to the newly-ordained, reminding him to remain committed to the community and to his responsibility to evangelise the poor, following the example of founder St. Eugene de Mazenod.
Father Thomas then thanked Cardinal Stephen for his presence, as well as his parents, brother-in-law, and Father Simeon Sebastian who assigned him to China, for coming to his priestly ordination from India.
The newly ordained said he will not forget the teachings of Father Nuel Sison and other formators from the Philippines, who taught him how to be a servant close to people. He also thanked Father Roman Bernabe, who came from the Philippines to offer encouragement.
He also expressed gratitude to Father Young for providing pastoral training, to the English-speaking communities at St. Alfred’s for their support as he became part of the community, and to all those who contributed to the ceremony
He also expressed gratitude to Father Young for providing pastoral training, to the English-speaking communities at St. Alfred’s for their support as he became part of the community, and to all those who contributed to the ceremony.
“Finally I thanked God for his great love as he chose me to be a priest,” he said.
Born on 30 August 1986 in Kerala, India, Father Thomas grew up in a devout Catholic family of the Syro-Malabar Church, an Eastern Catholic Rite, which laid a strong foundation for his faith and missionary aspirations. His academic journey included bachelor’s degrees in physics and philosophy, during which he discovered the Oblates of Mary Immaculate and their missionary work. In 2013, he participated in a “Come and See” programme in Hong Kong, a pivotal experience that deepened his calling to serve with the Oblates.
Before beginning his formal formation, Father Thomas spent a year working in an Indian Oblate mission, engaging in pastoral and missionary activities. He entered the Oblates’ Postulancy in the Philippines in 2016 and made his first vows on 21 May 2018 after completing his novitiate. He earned a master’s degree in theology from the Loyola School of Theology and another in counseling ministry from Ateneo de Manila University.
In 2023, he returned to Hong Kong to begin his missionary work and professed his perpetual vows in the OMI congregation on September 14.
