Tomy was born to Tharayil Mr T.J. Joseph (late) and Mrs Mariamma as the youngest of seven children on second of February, 1972 at Changanacherry. He had his primary education at St Joseph’s L.P. School, Changanassery and high school education at Sacred Heart English Medium School Fathimapuram.
Having completed his Pre-Degree course at St Berchmans College, Changanassery, Tomy joined St Thomas Minor Seminary Kurichy and after the elementary studies there, he was sent to St Thomas Apostolic Seminary, Vadavathoor where he completed both his philosophical and theological studies. Bro Tomy served the office of the Archeparchial Family Apostolate for a year during his Regency and at that time he took Masters Degree in English Literature from the University of Kerala.
He was ordained priest in the Great Jubilee Year, 2000 together with 10 of his batch mates on the first of January at Metropolitan Church, Changanacherry by His Grace Mar Joseph Powathil.
Fr Thomas Tharayil served three forane parishes, viz. Athirampuzha (2000), Nedumkunnam (2001) and Koilmuck-Edathua (2003) as Assistant Parish Priest. Before being sent to Rome for higher studies, he was the Vicar Administrator of Thazhathuvadakara parish for a short period in 2004.
He completed his doctoral studies in Psychology from Pontifical Gregorian University. Soon after his return from Rome he was appointed Director of Dhanahalaya, Institute of Formation and Counselling, Punnapra, Alappuzh as the successor of Rev. Dr. Thomas Thyparambil in 2011. As the ‘Formator of Formators’, he raised the institute to new heights. He has been an Archeparchial Consulter since 2012.
During his seminary days itself Bro Tomy was known for his teaching and oratory skills in conducting classes on various subjects in different parishes and schools. He has been one of the visiting faculties of St Thomas Minor Seminary, Kurichy as the English teacher of final year seminarians. He has been serving as a visiting professor to St Thomas Apostolic Seminary, Vadavathoor, National Vocation Service Centre, Pune, Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram and Institute of Formators, Bengaluru since 2012. He is proficient in English, Italian, Spanish and German. He has written books and articles on Psychology which have got wider acclaim.
He is well-known as a Psychologist as well as a Retreat Preacher around the globe, preaching the Word of God to people in all walks of life; children, laity, nuns, priests and bishops which is unique in its kind.
The synod of Bishops of the Syro-Malabar Church elected Dr Thomas Tharayil as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archeparchy of Changanassery and it was announced simultaneously at Mount St Thomas, Kakkanad and Vatican on 14th January, 2017. He was ordained Auxiliary Bishop by Mar Joseph Perumthottam, the Metropolitan of Changanassery on 23rd of April, 2017. He is also the Titular Bishop of the episcopal see of Agrippias. The southern region of the Archeparchy consisting of Thiruvanathapuram, Kollam and Amboori Foranes is entrusted to the special care of Mar Thomas Tharayil.
