Fr. Joby John (baptismal name Thomas John) is an Indian English poet, Catholic priest, educator, and thinker whose words rise from the crossroads of silence and scripture, memory and meaning. Born on July 1,1989, in the quiet village of Ramapuram, Kerala, his early years were shaped by the rhythms of prayer, the scent of ink, and the gentle strength of his mother's voice. These became the soil in which his poetic sensibility first took root.
His formative path led him to the Good Shepherd Minor Seminary, where he immersed himself in English, Latin, and Syriac, languages that later shaped his literary and theological voice. He went on to earn his B.A. and M.A. in English Literature, followed by a B.Ed. in English Education, and a Diploma in Computer Applications—a foundation that bridged the poetic with the pedagogical.
In 2016, he joined the Nirmal Hriday Minor Seminary, Pune, discerning a deeper call to priesthood in the Eparchy of St Ephrem Khadki-Pune. He pursued Philosophy at Jnana Deepa Institute and completed his Bachelor of Theology at St. Mary's Malankara Major Seminary, under the Pontifical Urbaniana University, Rome, graduating Cum Laude Probatus in 2022. He was ordained on April 17,2023, and celebrated his First Holy Mass two days later.
His pastoral journey began in the Bapatla and Kurnool missions, where he served with sincerity and spiritual depth. In May 2024, he was entrusted with the leadership of Mar Gregorios Public School, Chennai, as Principal, Local Manager, and Bursar. He also holds the office of Bursar at Mar Gregorios College of Arts and Science and Sacred Heart Matric Higher Secondary School, Chennai. As a CBSE Resource Person, he shares his educational vision with fellow educators across the country.
A teacher by training and a priest by vocation, Fr. Joby has always remained a poet at heart. His literary voice is gentle yet piercing, often meditative, exploring themes of solitude, suffering, identity, and the divine. His poems, published widely online—especially on PoemHunter.com—resonate with those who seek depth in simplicity.
He is also the founder and director of www.ensygloge.com, an online academic journal fostering dialogue between faith, literature, and intellectual inquiry. His academic contributions span philosophy, linguistics, theology, and culture, with articles published in both national and international journals. His authored books include Expansive Grammar, Remains of the Day: A Journey to Mars, and A Critical Study on Shakespeare's Macbeth.
A Fellow Member of I2OR, Fr. Joby has also completed several international MOOCs, including courses from Griffith University, Monash University, Lancaster University, and the British Council. His commitment to education, faith, and the arts continues to define his journey.
Fr. Joby John writes not to impress, but to reveal—carving light from silence, meaning from mystery. As he often says,
'My poems speak only when it feels.'
And so does he.
He holds the following degrees:
B.Th. (Bachelor of Theology) - St. Mary's Malankara Major Seminary, affiliated to Pontifical Urbaniana University, Rome, awarded Cum Laude Probatus (2022)
B.A. Philosophy - Jnana Deepa Institute, Pune (2019)
M.A. English Literature - St. Thomas College, Pala, M.G. University (2014)
B.Ed. in English Education - St. Thomas College of Teacher Education, Pala (2016)
B.A. English Literature - St. Thomas College, Pala (2012)
DCA (Diploma in Computer Applications) - St. Thomas College, Pala (2015)
He is also a certified CTET (2016) and SET (2015) qualifier, with additional certificate courses in:
Supporting Adolescent Learners: Social and Emotional Wellbeing - Griffith University (2020)
Introduction to Psychology: The History and Science of Psychology - Monash University (2020)
Understanding Dyslexia - Lancaster University
Language and Communication - British Council
Functional English (2013) , Photoshop (2012) , and Fundamentals of Computers (2013)
He was ordained a priest on April 17,2023, and celebrated his First Holy Mass on April 19. His early pastoral work includes serving as:
Assistant Priest-in-Charge at Bapatla Mission (May-Dec 2023)
Priest-in-Charge at Kurnool Mission (Jan-Apr 2024)
Currently, he serves as:
Principal & Local Manager, Mar Gregorios Public School, Chennai (2024-present)
Bursar, Mar Gregorios College of Arts and Science, Sacred Heart Matric Hr. Sec. School, and Mar Gregorios Public School, Chennai
CBSE Resource Person (2024-present)
Director and Founder of the online interdisciplinary journal www.ensygloge.com (2021-present)
Fellow Member, Institute of Researchers (I2OR) (2021-present)
His prior teaching experience includes:
Lecturer, Mar Augusthinose College, Ramapuram (2014)
Language Trainer, Emmanuel International Training and Overseas Education Consultancy, Ramapuram (2012-2013)
Selected Publications
Books:
Expansive Grammar. Kottayam: Turn Books. ISBN: 9788192537368
Remains of the Day: A Journey to Mars. ISBN-10: 1973382725
A Critical Study on Shakespeare's Macbeth. ISBN-10: 1973371375
Research and Academic Articles:
"Existentialism and Modern Education." Research Scholar 5(2) : 196. ISSN 2249-6696
"Health Vision 2030: Challenges and Perspectives." In Vision 2030: Contributions of Educational Researches on National Development, ed. Dr. T.C. Thankachan. ISBN: 978-81-927201-4-2
"The Relevance of Sphota in Modern Linguistic Theories." Lumen Montis 3(2) : 186. ISSN 2321-8053
"Womanist Existentialism: A Reading of Alice Walker's The Color Purple." New Thoughts: 425. ISBN: 81-926565-0-2
"Womanist Existentialism: A Search for Identity." Pursuits, Mercy College, Palakkad: 148. ISSN 0974-7400
ENSYGLOGE Publications (Editor: Dr. Lavina Dominic) :
"Philosophical Overview on Indigenous Art Forms: Kalaripayattu and Parichamuttukali" (2021)
"A Comparative Study on Signification and Suggestion" (2021)
"The Meaning and Significance of ‘Evening' in the Liturgical Year" (2021)
"Ecclesiastical Vision of Rt. Rev. Msgr Joseph Kuzhinjalil" (2021)
"Critical Comment on ‘Christianity as the Abrahamic Faith'" (2021)
"Neuro-Contextual Analysis of Sacramental Symbols" (2021)
"Effective Integration of New Technology and Social Media for Evangelization" (2021)
"An Introduction to the Transcendental Leap" (2022)
"An Introduction to St. Ephrem" (2022)
"St. Ephrem's Vision of the Medicine of Life" (2022)
Fr. Joby John continues to write poetry as a sacred offering—where thought and theology meet human longing. "My poems speak only when it feels, " he says—each verse born not of performance, but of inner prompting. Through words, he seeks to build a bridge between the seen and the unseen, the temporal and the eternal.
I said. He never
He said and I never too.
Sounds are heard but
None sound meaning
...
“What is pride? ”
“What makes you not.
What makes you far.”
Know yourself, your pride vanishes.
...
How happy I am to be in the dawn
My days are being doubled
Because her presence
bring joy to everyone
...
I have set my eyes on the King on Zion
Let the light of your face shine upon us
O Lord, in the morning Your hear my voice,
Voice of Your son, not thy slave
...