Cathedral of St. Joseph Welcomes Father Xavier Raj

Allow me to introduce myself to you. My name is Father Xavier Raj. I hail from the coastal village of Kodimunai in India. I was born in 1974 and I have four older brothers and two younger brothers. Both of my parents are deceased as well as one of my younger brothers. When I look back on my journey to the Priesthood, I realize that my vocation is the fruit of the prayers of my mother, Jesammal. I remember the day when my Vocation Promoter, the Rector of the Minor Seminary, came to my class and asked everyone present: “Is there anyone among you willing to come forward to serve the Lord as a Priest?” One of the boys sitting near me said: “This guy, Xavier, will come forward.” He was correct. I eventually went to the Seminary and began my studies. I entered Sacred Heart Seminary, Poonamallee, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India. Through prayer during the discernment process, I came to be Ordained to the Priesthood and gained the conviction that I could be one of His faithful servants. This year is my 20th Anniversary of Ordination to the Priesthood. Over the years, I have served as Associate Pastor, Pastor-in-charge, and Parish Priest in some of the parishes in my home Diocese in India. I worked in New Zealand for four and a half years, and three years in Canada. Now, the Lord has brought me here to the Diocese of Burlington. Here, I have received a warm welcome form Archbishop Christopher Coyne and an invitation to serve in the Diocese of Burlington. I am grateful to him for the invitation to serve here in the Diocese of Burlington. I am also grateful to Rev. Msgr. John McDermott for his support and encouragement as well. I am also grateful to Fr. Jon Schnobrich and his Associate Fr. Paul, who welcomed me as a brother priest. And am grateful to Fr. Paul for all of his assistance. At the Annual Presbyteral Days, I was able to meet many of the priests here in the Diocese who were welcoming to me as well and share the commitment of God’s call to serve. Presently, It is my privilege to serve as Parochial Vicar with the Cathedral Rector, Rev. Msgr. Peter A. Routhier. He has welcomed me and makes me feel at home. I also look forward to meeting the parishioners of the Cathedral of St. Joseph and serving you in the unity of faith. I have an office in the Parish Office and can be reached on the Parish phone at (802) 658-4333. Kindly keep me and all the Priests in your prayers. Please pray for more Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life. Know that you are always in our prayers. Yours in the Eucharistic Lord, Fr. Xavier Raj Parochial Vicar Cathedral of St. joseph