Viriditas2: Soul Greening
Interviewed by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP
Hawaii Catholic Herald
I consider my connections with the people of God as very important in life. Don Bosco, the founder of the Salesians, had a very down-to-earth spirituality. He said, “I want the spirituality of the diocesan priests.” It is practical, rooted in the understanding of human nature and how God’s grace moves and is present in ordinary people. Thus, in all of my work, and in all forms of ministry, it is the opportunity to evangelize and share the Gospel with others that keeps me going.
I was born in Kerala, India, and am the sixth child of 10 in my family, eight boys and two girls. Four of my brothers are also priests. Three of us are Salesians and two are Franciscans — all are missionaries.
There are many religious and priestly vocations that have come from Kerala. Kerala, in South India, is known as the land of St. Thomas, as he was the apostle who brought Christianity to the region. There are two Eastern Catholic churches in full communion with Rome in India. I was ordained as a Salesian priest in the Syro-Malabar rite. I am also bi-ritual, being with the Latin church for the past 45 years, and help the missions of the Latin church as a Salesian priest.
As a missionary actively following the example of St. Thomas, I enjoy my work with people. I have counseled street children, college and university students, and addicts in India and in the U.S.; trained teachers on how to help problematic students; and provided classes on pastoral counseling for transitional deacons, etc. I have also been a campus minister of a college, managed a college and been a counselor for over 22 years.
I have mostly worked in the missions of the foothills of the Himalayan mountains, which include the regions of northeast India, bordering Tibet, Burma, Nepal, Bhutan, China and Bangladesh.
Some of my most memorable moments as a missionary were being able to be very close to a saint. I knew St. Mother Teresa for over 15 years. I remember her visiting our seminary when I was a young seminarian. After I was ordained, I worked in schools and colleges. I sent many of my students to become her Missionaries of Charity Sisters. I supported her nuns wherever I worked, and for this reason she was very close to me.
The last day she walked, May 3, 1997, I offered the holy Mass at her convent, gave her communion and blessed her. Her nuns informed me later that she had a fall that same night. She fell and broke her hip and was bound to a wheelchair until she died on Sept. 5, 1997.
She was so humble and lived all her life in simplicity. She exemplified Christ’s charity in her life and worked tirelessly till her last breath.
In 2008, I was sent by my order to the U.S. for further studies. I served in the Diocese of Grand Island, Nebraska, until 2015. I later served in Dallas and Chicago.
In 2020, Bishop William Dendinger, bishop emeritus of the Diocese of Grand Island and previous chief of chaplains of the U.S. Air Force, recommended me to the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA. I served as a chaplain at Joint Base Lewis-McChord near Tacoma, Washington. I am now here on a five-year contract as the chaplain at Kaneohe Marine Corps Base.
Father James Joseph is 43 years professed as a Salesian. He has been ordained 33 years. He arrived in Hawaii in July 2024.
