Messenger of Mary Immaculate Conception (MMIC)

The mystery of incarnation emanated through the ‘yes’ of Mother Mary, the first tabernacle, who is both a witness and a miracle to our world. The Messengers of Mary Immaculate Conception is a religious congregation formed to meditate on this mystery of Mary Immaculate and to lead the human race towards Christ through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Rev. Fr. Joseph Thanikkot, the founder of the Congregation of M.M.I.C., was blessed with this mission through the revelation, blessings, and inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

“You are a contemplative man,” was an identity given to Fr. Joseph by Fr. Louis Maria Para, the founder of the IVD congregation. This had a lasting impact on Fr. Joseph’s life, igniting a desire to become consecrated. This urge was solidified by many experiences during his service in the Dominican Republic, a Central American country. A serendipitous question from an old lady, “What can I do for you?” while he was entranced by the sight of a watchdog guiding its blind owner, kindled his spirituality and servitude, reflective of Mary’s earthly journey.

During his pastoral ministry in the Dominican Republic, the works of the Conceptionist Sisters within the parish and other areas, especially among the poor and needy, had a lasting impact. Their work included educating the children of the poor and downtrodden, especially the children of women forced into prostitution. The spirituality of these sisters was heart-touching. When the Mother General of the congregation visited, Fr. Joseph asked her to begin a congregation for priests with the same spiritual foundation. Initially, she remarked it would be a herculean task. However, when they met again later that day, she exclaimed, “This would be the will of God.”

The desire In Fr. Joseph to become a religious priest kept growing. He returned to India and discerned his will through prayer and meditation. After a period of intense prayer and discernment, Fr. Joseph expressed his desire to Archbishops Susai Pakkiam and Daniel Achamparambil, who responded with prayers, acknowledging that starting a congregation would be a challenging task.

In 2003, Fr. Joseph wrote to the Mother General of the Conceptionist Sisters, urging the need to implant this congregation in India. She informed him of the canonical procedures for the same. Fr. Joseph then presented this wish to Rev. Dr. Susai Pakkiam, Archbishop of Trivandrum, who welcomed the congregation to his diocese with great love and concern.

On September 27, 2004, Sisters Felicitta, Magdalina, and Michael arrived in India, rented a house in Kovalam, Trivandrum, and founded their convent, which they later purchased. Fr. Joseph took up the responsibility of fulfilling the spiritual needs of the congregation during those years. This strengthened his desire to begin a congregation with the same spiritual foundation as that of the Conceptionist sisters.

During 2004-06, the Mother General visited India, and Fr. Joseph continued deliberations about founding a congregation for priests. In 2004 and 2005, he even visited her in Rome for guidance. In 2007, he prayed at the grave of St. Carmen Salles in Madrid, Spain, the founder of the Conceptionist Sisters. Soon after returning to India, he visited Archbishop Rev. Dr. Susai Pakkiam, who instructed him to visit Bishop Varghese Chakkalakal.

On July 3, 2008, Fr. Joseph shared his desire with Bishop Varghese, who had considered starting a congregation with a similar charism in his diocese. Coincidentally, it was the 150th anniversary of the apparitions in Lourdes. Discussions and deliberations with church authorities and canonists continued until 2013, backed by prayers. Eventually, Bishop Varghese Chakkalakal, who became the bishop of Kozhikode, permitted the congregation as a diocesan association. Overcoming difficulties with prayers, Deacon Shyam Kumar received his Sacred Ordination from Bishop Varghese on January 22, 2018, and on the same day, Bishop Varghese officially declared the name of the congregation as ‘The Messengers of Mary Immaculate’. From 2013 until the founding day, Mother General Maria Martinas constantly interceded with her prayers. The Holy Spirit led Fr. Joseph Thanikkot M.M.I.C. to build the congregation with these directives: a) Devotion to the Holy Eucharist b) Adoration c) Heeding the voice of God d) Praying for the faithful e) Emphasis on the Sacrament of Reconciliation f) Meditating on the Word of God and breaking it for the faithful. The mission of the congregation, as inspired by the Holy Spirit, is encapsulated in these words by Fr. Joseph: “The priest who devotes himself to Eucharistic adoration will be a consolation for the wayward. He could guide the faithful through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the Word of God, and the Holy Eucharist. This journey is under the guidance of Mother Mary, and the congregation follows her. Thus, the mission of the congregation is to console the faithful through the manifold graces received through the Holy Eucharist. In a world torn apart by worldliness, adoration of the Holy Eucharist, the Word of God, Sacrament of Reconciliation, and Communion is the answer.” After a long, three-year prayerful and penitential journey, Fr. Joseph named the congregation ‘Messengers of Mary Immaculate Conception’. The intercession of Mother Mary, St. Carmen Salles, and St. Francis of Assisi nourished this journey.

Today, the congregation has its headquarters at Wayanad, Kakkavayal, Kallupady, where a seminary flourishes under Fr. Shyam with the spiritual guidance of Rev. Fr. Joseph Thanikkot. We have 14 priests, 3 deacons and 12 seminarians as whole.