Father Anthony Saji is a priest of the Vincentian Congregation (VC) in India. He was born on 1 May 1977 as the eldest of four children in a deeply devout Catholic family. From an early age, he felt called to the priesthood. His vocational journey was difficult and marked by rejection and numerous obstacles, but with God’s help and blessing, he persevered and fulfilled his desire.
In 1999, he began studying philosophy in Bangalore, India. In 2002, he was assigned to the Vincentian Congregation’s mission in East Africa, which was being developed by Father Joseph Bill. He studied theology at Tangaza College in Nairobi, part of the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA), one of Africa’s most respected universities. In this international environment, bringing together people of more than 77 nationalities, he had a wonderful opportunity as a seminarian to experience different cultures and worldviews.
Following his ordination to the priesthood on 29 December 2006, he was sent to Entebbe, Uganda, where Father Joseph Bill was his superior. After Father Bill’s death in March 2008, Father Anthony’s Provincial Superior appointed him as Father Bill’s successor, entrusting him with continuing the worldwide programme of annual retreats open to people from all walks of life.
Since April 2008, Father Anthony has travelled around the world, leading five-day inner-healing retreats, parish missions, and special programmes for young people. Due to health issues, he was based primarily in Uganda between 2014 and 2018, where he oversaw the work of the St Vincent de Paul Retreat and Prayer Centre in Entebbe. In addition to his pastoral and preaching ministry, he taught at the minor seminary in Mitemula-Masaka and led numerous retreats throughout the country, particularly for bishops, priests, and members of various religious congregations.
Since February 2021, he has served as Director of the St Vincent de Paul Retreat Centre in Lavington, Nairobi, Kenya. More than 3,500 people attend its weekly days of prayer, while between 1,000 and 1,400 people participate in its monthly retreats. Father Anthony also serves as spiritual director to seminarians at the St Vincent de Paul Uzima Major House of Studies in Ngong.
The primary purpose of the retreats he preaches is to lead people towards conversion and a life centred on devotion to God—a life grounded in the sacraments, Sacred Scripture, and the practice of the Ten Commandments in everyday life.
Many people who have participated in these retreats around the world testify that they have been transformed by the love of Jesus, which they experienced through Father Anthony’s teaching and his love for others. They have found lasting inner peace and returned to the Sacrament of Reconciliation after long periods of neglecting their spiritual lives. Some have learned to forgive, others have come to accept their illnesses, and many have been freed from addictions or experienced healing from mental and physical illnesses.
Despite having served as a priest for a relatively short time, Father Anthony has a wealth of diverse life experience. He has faced many hardships, including poverty, hunger, and demanding work. At the age of twelve, he became responsible for supporting his family—a responsibility he carried for five years. He also endured his mother’s illness and many other serious challenges.
Despite all these experiences, Father Anthony naturally radiates the joy and love of Christ, showing how joyful life with Jesus can be here on earth. He has a deep desire to share his experience of God’s transforming presence with others.
Father Anthony, may God bless your ministry!
