Kakkanad: Major Archbishop Mar Raphael Thattil emphasized that priests should dedicate their lives to serving the Church and contributing to the betterment of society. He made this statement while inaugurating a gathering of deacons preparing for priesthood in the Syro-Malabar Church at Mount St. Thomas, the Church's headquarters. 

This year, 289 priestly candidates from various dioceses and religious communities of the Syro-Malabar Church have completed their training, with 221 deacons participating in the event. The meeting, held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., featured a range of programs.  

The Archbishop shared his reflections after presiding over the Holy Eucharist. Discussions during the event included insights from Father Mar Tony Neelankavil, Chairman of the Syro-Malabar Commission for Clergy, and Father Mar Sebastian Vaniyapurakkal, Bishop of the Curia, who addressed the challenges facing priestly ministry in the context of the post-truth era. 

The meeting was coordinated by Fr. Joji Kallingal, Secretary of the Clergy Commission, along with sister Lincy Augustine, MSMI, the Office-in-Charge.