Jesus Fraternity is a Catholic voluntary charitable movement started in October 1981 at St. Thomas Apostolic Seminary, Vadavathoor at the initiative of the seminarians lead by Varghese Karipperi and Francis Kodiyan. The movement has been founded at the aim of service to the marginalized especially the prisoners. It is a fellowship of prayer to serve the least, the last and the lost. In the seminary, Jesus Fraternity con- ducts prayer meetings once in a month. Weekly visits to the near by old age homes, neighbouring houses and cancer centre are the main activities. Jesus Fraternity members observe fasting on first Fridays and money collected through the fasting is used for its activities. Jesus Fraternity group members have the opportunity to visit Kottayam Sub-Jail on every 3rd Sunday. Six members along with Fr. Director visit there and celebrate Holy Qurbana with the prisoners. The opportunity for confession is also made available along with this. During the holidays, seminarians visit various jails in Kerala and organize cultural programs for them. Also, they conduct various work camps in orphanages and old age homes. Every year on Au- gust 4, the feast of day of St. John Maria Vianney, fraternity members visit the nearby priest homes. Jesus Fraternity conducts literary competitions among the prisoners and encourages their talents by publishing them in a small periodical, named ‘Thadavara Sangeetham’. At present, Jesus Fraternity has 150 members in the seminary itself.
