NORTH PROVIDENCE — In the land of the so-called “Midnight Sun,” where it shines continuously throughout most of summertime, powerful darkness can still overwhelm. Darkness of the spirit and of the mind, which can rob its unsuspecting or ill-equipped victims of hope, of happiness, of sanity ... if we allow it.
For men and women of the United States Armed Forces stationed in the undeniably gorgeous, yet remotest wilds of Alaska, deployment has the potential to feel like one endlessly long day. Or night, depending on the time of year. For long periods, the sun barely finishes rising before it starts setting again.
In addition to such extreme atmospheric conditions, life on Alaska’s military bases comes with inherent occupational hazards, stressful job responsibilities, and virtually no convenient off-site options for entertainment, dining, or healthy distraction. The monotony of quotidian routine risks leaving some service personnel and civilian contractors vulnerable to natural, though dangerous human impulses. No amount or intensity of sunlight can dispel this brand of darkness. Only one source of illumination proves reliable, and Father T.J. Varghese shines it whenever possible. “I bring the light of Christ.”
Born in Kerala, a lush, biodiverse state in heavily Catholic southern India, Father Varghese moved to Rhode Island as a priest, inspired by an early encounter with missionary religious sisters. Ordained in 1995 in India and then incardinated into the Diocese of Providence and initially assigned to various local parishes, he gravitated toward providing spiritual and mental health wellbeing. This eventually led him to pursue both Doctor of Ministry (DMin) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees, as well as becoming a Board-Certified Chaplain (BCC).
Father Varghese began offering private counseling before being invited more than a decade ago to serve military veterans part-time at the V.A. Medical Center in Providence. Here, while helping many suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other afflictions, he had a revelation. “One day,” Father Varghese recalls, “I said, ‘Let me experience what they go through. I want to feel their pain, to identify myself with the veteran so that I can know more about it.’” The priest wanted to join the military.
Because he was over the typical recruiting age, permissions were needed from the government and the Church. He got them, and soon, Father Varghese found himself undergoing officer training at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama. Today, Captain Varghese serves in a reserve capacity one weekend a month as chaplain for the 143rd Airlift Wing based at Quonset Point in North Kingstown. Like every other military reservist, he must also take part in two-week stints of annual training duty and the occasional active-duty call-up, like the kind that sent him to Alaska earlier this year.
From the beginning of July through the end of September, Father Varghese took a temporary leave of absence from his current full-time pastoral duties at North Providence’s Mary, Mother of Mankind Church to bring Christ’s light to troops and civilians in the most sparsely populated U.S. state.
“I was like a bridge builder between the base and the local community because it’s very hard to get a priest there,” he explains. “I was so happy to help.”
People on and off the base celebrated his arrival. In addition to mental health counseling, Varghese oversaw military retirement and promotion ceremonies, Bible study groups, music lessons, and other uplifting activities for military, civilian, and native Alaskan populations.
“They sometimes have a nondenominational minister to help out, but a Catholic priest is very rare,” he added. “They loved having me there and didn’t want me to go. A general actually visited and said, ‘If you want to stay longer, I can make that happen. Just say the word.’ But I couldn’t do that. I missed my parishioners too much.”
Varghese has shepherded his parish’s flock since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, and many longed for his return from Alaska, as evidenced by a large “Welcome Home! We Missed You!” banner and American flags that members of the parish displayed in Mary, Mother of Mankind’s piazza in early October.
Reflecting on his extended Alaska stay, Father Varghese says personal highlights included frequent moose sightings and a memorable group excursion to Denali National Park that tested his physical endurance. His military superiors compiled a much longer list, however, in a commendation detailing the numerous ways Varghese’s presence had a positive impact on the base and surrounding community. He has received similar recognition for his work during previous activations. As a result, Capt. Varghese is now in line for a promotion to the rank of Major at some point in the near future.
In the Gospel of Matthew (6:24), Jesus referred to God and money when he observed that we cannot serve two masters, for we will hate the one and love the other. Yet, in his own unique fashion, Father/Capt. Varghese is demonstrating that a healthy balance can be struck as he serves in his dual careers. Both of which he loves.
“It’s very demanding,” he concedes, “and fulfilling, because you’re serving the spiritual needs of the parish as well as the airmen. I have seen first-hand what they go through during training, on deployments, and when they come back, because it’s often difficult to reintegrate into civilian society. It’s very challenging, but I am blessed.”
