Yerkad: Speech and hearing impaired Brother Joseph Thermadam conceived his first vows yesterday, marking a new history. Brother Joseph Thermadam, from the Archdiocese of Ernakulam – Angamaly has become the first Indian to accept the vocational call. Brother Joseph, who has a speech and hearing impairment, received the first ceremony on Monday, May 25, and became a member of the Holy Cross Church.
Br. Joseph Thermadam is the son of Thomas and Rosie. He finished school in Mumbai with his speech impaired brother. At an early age, Joseph attended the Spiritual Formation Program of the Dominican Missionaries for the Deaf Apostolic in the United States and returned to India after completing his theological studies.
Upon arrival in India, Joseph joined the Holy Cross Society’s Deaf Ministry and expressed his interest in joining the Church. Joseph, who entered the Holy Cross community of Ayymanam village in Kottayam district in 2017, received his first vow after completing a one-year novice at the Holy Cross Ashram in Yercaud, Tamil Nadu.
