Faith meets fitness: The Keralam church where prayers come with pull-ups

Parishioners work out at the open gym on the premises of St. Joseph’s Church in Kuriachira, Thrissur. | Photo Credit: K.K.Najeeb

At St. Joseph’s Church in Kuriachira, Thrissur, Keralam, faith and fitness go hand in hand. An open gym on the church premises is drawing parishioners of all ages to stretch, sweat and stay fit. The unusual initiative is adding a healthy new dimension to church life.

Set up in a corner of the church campus, the facility has quickly become a meeting point for fitness enthusiasts. With no fixed timings, parishioners can drop in at their convenience, with many heading to the gym after attending Holy Mass. The altar boys, numbering around 60, are among its regular users. Parents also bring their young children, while senior citizens use the basic equipment to stay active.

Roots in fitness routine of vicar

The initiative has its roots in the personal fitness routine of the church’s vicar, Fr. Frederick Eluvathingal, 69. A footballer and basketball player during his student days, he has never allowed age or a demanding schedule to come in the way of exercise.

“I have been working out for the past 51 years, ever since my days at the Papal Seminary in Pune,” he says. His fitness routine continued during his higher studies in Rome and Jerusalem and his church assignments in Australia.