Faith Rooted in Apostolic Witness : A Call to Fortitude and Peace

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Warm greetings of peace and hope in the Lord Jesus!

As we enter the month of July, our hearts turn with deep reverence and gratitude to the Solemnity of Saint Thomas the Apostle on July 3rd - our father in faith and the great herald of the Gospel in India. His bold confession, “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28), continues to echo through the ages, inviting each of us to deepen our personal encounter with the risen Christ and live with unwavering faith in our time.

A Moment of Grace: St. Thomas Mount Declared a Minor Basilica

It is with immense joy that we join the Diocese of Chingleput in celebrating a historic ecclesial moment : the elevation of the National Shrine of St. Thomas Mount in Chennai to the status of a Minor Basilica. This sacred hill, where tradition holds that the Apostle Thomas bore witness to Christ with his very blood, now receives the honour it deserves as a place of pilgrimage, prayer and apostolic heritage.

On behalf of our Diocese and in communion with the Church in India, I extend heartfelt congratulations to the Diocese of Chingleput, its Bishop His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. A. Neethinathan, clergy, religious, and faithful. May this new status be a source of renewed evangelizingfervour and spiritual vitality for all who visit and serve there.

Apostolic Faith in Troubled Times

Our faith is apostolic, handed down through the ages by witnesses like St. Thomas who laid foundations with their lives. In a world today marked by confusion, moral relativism, and social unrest, we are called to stand firm in that same apostolic faith—not with fear, but with fortitude.

The witness of St. Thomas reminds us that faith often grows in the midst of doubt, and that courage is born when we trust in the Risen Christ. Let us not lose heart in the face of trials, but cling to the Gospel as our anchor. We are a people sent, just like the apostles, to proclaim hope, to build communion, and to be signs of God’s mercy in a broken world.

With the Apostle as Our Guide

Let this July be a time to renew our apostolic calling, to be brave witnesses to the Gospel, and to stand as people of peace amid storms of our age. With Saint Thomas as our intercessor, may we carry forward the legacy entrusted to us.

A Word of Sympathy and a Call to Prayer

Last month was marked by tragedy, as we mourn the lives lost in the recent aircraft accident that has brought sorrow to many families. We extend our deepest condolences to those affected and commend the departed souls to the loving mercy of God. May the Lord comfort all those who grieve with His peace.

In a world increasingly torn by violence, war, and division, I urge all our faithful to become instruments of peace through prayer and action. Let us raise our hearts each day in earnest intercession-for the victims of war in Israel-Palestine-Iran, Russia-Ukraine and elsewhere, for families displaced by conflict, and for leaders to act with wisdom and justice.

As Pope Francis reminds us, “Peace is a gift of God but also a task entrusted to each one of us.” Let us commit to that task with the strength and hope that flows from our Eucharistic faith and apostolic identity.

Wishing you all a grace-filled month and invoking the blessings of Christ the Lord upon you and your parishes.

With mercy and hope,

+ Ambrose Pitchaimuthu
Bishop of Vellore