What happens when a homeless muslim man, abandoned to a life of extreme misery and despair in a foreign land, encounters the loving presence of the Holy Virgin Mother of Kreupasanam? The extraordinary testimony of Thomas Tharakan from Sharjah recounts the remarkable story of Shaji Muhammad, a stranded Malayali in sharjah who had been living in extreme hardship for years. Through an unexpected act of Christian charity and the reading of the Kreupasanam newspaper, Shaji muhammed had an apparition of the Holy Mother of Kreupasanam and his life took an astonishing turn. This deeply moving testimony reveals how God's mercy can reach the most forgotten souls and how an ordinary act of compassion can become an instrument of extraordinary blessings.
Extraordinary Testimony of Thomas Tharakan: Healing, Apparitions of the Holy Virgin Mother of Kreupasanam and Countless Blessings
A remarkable testimony of healing through prayer, divine intervention, family blessings, and the powerful experience of becoming an instrument of God's mercy.
Praise be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit!
The extraordinary testimony of Thomas Tharakan, a Syrian Jacobite Malayali working in Sharjah, UAE, is a moving account of faith, prayer, healing, and remarkable spiritual experiences associated with the Holy Virgin Mother of Kreupasanam. His life has been transformed through experiences that he attributes to God's abundant mercy and the maternal intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
From healing a four-year-long frozen shoulder condition to witnessing unexpected blessings in the lives of others, Thomas shares how prayer, faith, and his devotion to the Holy Virgin Mother of Kreupasanam have given him a new purpose in life.
His testimony also reminds us that God's blessings are not meant to be kept to ourselves. We must become instruments through whom His love and mercy reach others.
1. Healing from Four Years of Frozen Shoulder Through Prayer
For nearly four years, Thomas suffered from a severe frozen shoulder condition affecting his left hand. During this period, he was living in Sharjah and frequently visiting hospitals and consulting orthopaedic specialists.
Eventually, doctors advised him that surgery was the only remaining option. When he enquired about the success rate, he was told that the operation had an approximately 80% chance of success. The remaining uncertainty filled him with anxiety and fear.
It was during this difficult period, in August 2022, that his sister encouraged him to listen to a spiritual message by VP Joseph. Thomas listened attentively to the message and was particularly moved by the instructions concerning prayer for people suffering from frozen shoulder.
He heard an unusual instruction: if the frozen shoulder affected the left hand, one should place the right hand over the affected shoulder while praying.
Thomas followed this instruction with deep faith and intense longing. He prayed with his right hand placed over his left shoulder.
After approximately 40 seconds, he began experiencing a sensation of warmth in his affected hand. He was astonished by what he experienced. Gradually, his condition improved, and he testified that the problem that had troubled him for four years no longer troubled him as before.
What had seemed to require surgery became, in his testimony, an extraordinary experience of healing through prayer.
He also expressed his gratitude to Rev Fr VP Joseph, whose message had inspired him to pray with renewed faith.
2. Becoming a Messenger of the Kreupasanam Newspaper in Sharjah
Following this experience, Thomas made a personal commitment on November 30, 2022, to share the Kreupasanam newspaper with others.
Whenever he travelled from Kerala to Sharjah, he began carrying newspapers with him. He collected newspapers in different languages, including English, Tamil, Kannada and Konkani, so that people from different linguistic backgrounds could benefit from them.
He would distribute the newspapers in Sharjah, sharing his personal experiences and encouraging others to trust in God.
He developed a beautiful practice. After finishing his prayers, he would stand before a statue of the Holy Mother and pray:
"Mother, please bring before me those who deserve to receive this newspaper."
He was amazed that people would often approach him unexpectedly, asking for the newspaper. Some were complete strangers whom he had never met before.
He considered this a special experience of the Mother's guidance and believed that he was being used as an instrument to bring spiritual encouragement to people.
But one of the most extraordinary experiences connected with this mission involved a homeless Malayali man named Shaji Muhammad.
3. The Remarkable Story of a Homeless Muslim Man who had the Apparition of the Holy Mother of Kreupasanam
One day, after attending prayers at his church, Thomas was travelling home when he noticed a man sitting under a huge shady tree near a place where expired bakery products were discarded.
The man looked extremely unkempt and was wearing dirty clothes. Thomas approached him and discovered that he was a Malayali.
The man explained that he had been stranded in the UAE for nearly three years. He had been sleeping under construction sites and depended on whatever money people gave him for food.
He had not even taken a bath for 15 days because he could not afford the expense.
Thomas was deeply moved by his condition. Instead of simply giving him money, he encouraged him to take a bath and wear clean clothes. He provided him with money for this purpose and later discovered that the man's name was Shaji Muhammad.
After seeing his improved condition, Thomas took him to a hotel and arranged food for him for an entire month.
Thomas Tharakan also gave Shaji Muhammad a copy of the Kreupasanam newspaper.
Shaji Muhammad began reading it with great interest. Even when the newspaper became torn and worn out, he dried it in the sunlight and continued reading it.
Thomas gave him another paper after three days and Muhammed read it also thoroughly.
On approximately the eighth day, Shaji mohammed telephoned Thomas in tears.
He told him that a woman had appeared before him around noon. According to his description, she was wearing a silver-grey sari covering Her head.
She told him:
"I have come to bless you. Now go back to your home, to where you belong."
Shaji also described an extraordinary fragrance that filled the otherwise unpleasant surroundings.
He said that the woman showed Her hand and suddenly disappeared.
What happened next astonished him even more.
Within approximately five minutes, a friend telephoned him and informed him that the necessary travel documents were being arranged so that he could finally return to his hometown after four years of deep underground stay.
Shaji was overwhelmed with emotion.
But the blessings did not end there.
On the same day, his daughter informed him that money owed to them (withheld by their employer) was finally being returned and that her salary would be doubled from the following day.
His son who had no work for quite a long time also informed him in the evening that he was preparing to travel to Saudi Arabia the very next morning.
Thomas was deeply moved by these developments. He believed that the experience of the Holy Mother had brought extraordinary blessings into the life of a man who had been living in extreme hardship.
For Thomas, this was one of the most unforgettable testimonies of his life.
He did not consider himself the source of these blessings. He believed that God had simply made him an instrument to reach a suffering person through the Kreupasanam newspaper.
4. Thomas's Personal Experience of the Apparition of the Holy Mother at a Hospital
Another remarkable experience occurred while Thomas was accompanying his wife to a hospital in Sharjah.
His wife had been diagnosed with gallbladder stones and underwent surgery. After the operation, she was receiving medical advice and counselling regarding her diet and recovery.
While his wife was consulting the doctor, Thomas remained seated at the hospital reception.
Looking around at the patients, doctors, nurses and other hospital staff, he suddenly felt inspired to pray for everyone present.
He began praying for the sick, the medical professionals and all those who were suffering, including people he did not know personally.
During this prayer, he heard what sounded like a choir singing a repeated phrase. He looked around but could not identify the source.
Shortly afterwards, he noticed a woman approaching, dressed in a silver-grey garment.
As she came near him, she repeatedly drew his attention to the garment covering Her head.
Thomas looked up and then at Her face.
According to his testimony, he recognised Her as the Holy Virgin Mother of Kreupasanam.
This experience left a deep impression on him and strengthened his conviction that the Holy Mother was accompanying him in his spiritual journey.
5. The Holy Mother's Protection During a Dangerous Journey
Thomas also narrated an extraordinary experience while driving from Sharjah towards Dubai.
He was travelling approximately 38 kilometres when he suddenly realized that he could not keep his eyes open. His eyes became so heavy that he found it almost impossible to keep them open.
Realising the danger of the situation, he touched the locket of the Holy Mother and prayed for Her help.
She asked him to pray:
"Hail Mary, full of grace!"
He continued praying with deep faith and eventually reached his destination.
On his return journey, the same problem occurred again. His eyes became extremely heavy, and he was worried about how he could safely complete the journey.
Once again, he prayed to the Holy Mother and invoked Her through the Hail Mary prayer.
He testified that he experienced help and was able to reach Sharjah.
He regarded these experiences as signs of the Mother's loving protection.
This account also reminds us that prayer should never replace necessary safety precautions. Anyone experiencing severe drowsiness while driving must stop in a safe place and rest rather than continue driving.
6. His Wife's Dream and an Unexpected Promotion
Thomas's wife was working for a large company employing approximately 7,000 people.
At that time, the company was undergoing major staff reductions, with hundreds of employees reportedly being laid off. Naturally, his wife was worried about her job security.
Thomas wanted her to experience the loving presence of the Holy Mother and to believe in the extraordinary experiences he had shared.
The night before an important working day, they prayed together, asking the Holy Mother to help his wife experience Her presence.
That night, his wife had a remarkable dream.
She saw an enormous Mother whose figure seemed to reach the sky. The Mother slowly approached her, leaving her deeply impressed.
The following morning, she went to work with renewed confidence.
At around 11 a.m., she received an email. Initially, she was frightened to open it, fearing that it might contain news of her dismissal.
But the message brought unexpected happiness!
Instead of a termination notice, she had received news of a promotion and a salary increase.
Thomas considered this an extraordinary answer to their prayers and another experience that strengthened their family's faith.
7. Daily Experiences of the Holy Mother's Presence
Thomas further shared that after repeatedly praying for the Holy Mother's presence to become known to him, he began experiencing what he considered extraordinary signs during his prayers.
He described seeing flowers, representations of the Sacred Heart and images resembling the Holy Mother in a lamp.
On some occasions, he said that he saw the Holy Mother standing with Her hands folded.
He mentioned that these experiences had occurred repeatedly and that he had preserved photographs of some of them on his mobile phone.
He also testified that the Holy Mother seemed to speak to him during his morning and evening prayers.
These experiences have deepened his devotion and encouraged him to continue his spiritual commitments.
8. Prayers for Childless Couples and Other Families
Another touching part of Thomas's testimony concerns two people for whom he prayed, particularly regarding their desire to have children.
According to his testimony, both couples were subsequently blessed with children, with each having two children.
He considers these experiences further evidence of God's mercy and the power of persistent prayer.
He also spoke about families experiencing financial difficulties, employment problems and other personal struggles who, according to him, experienced significant changes after prayers and encouragement.
For Thomas, these are not merely stories about personal blessings. They are reminders that God listens to the prayers of His children and that we should never lose hope during difficult circumstances.
9. A Life of Prayer, Fasting and Service to Others
Thomas has not kept these experiences to himself.
He continues to distribute the Kreupasanam newspaper in Sharjah, collecting copies whenever possible and sharing them with people from different communities and language groups.
He also makes efforts to help people who are struggling financially and socially.
His encounter with Shaji Muhammad is a particularly beautiful example of this charitable spirit. Rather than ignoring a homeless stranger, Thomas approached him with compassion, helped him regain his dignity and provided him with food and spiritual encouragement.
Thomas also mentioned that he observes fasting every Tuesday and regularly listens to spiritual messages by VP Joseph.
He remains grateful for the blessings he believes he has received and continues praying for God's grace to guide him and his family towards eternal life.
He also requested prayers for his sister Lucy, who is experiencing serious difficulties.
10. The Greatest Message of This Testimony: Become an Instrument of God's Mercy
Perhaps the most important message in Thomas Tharakan's testimony is not simply about the miracles he experienced, but about the way his experiences inspired him to serve others.
He repeatedly emphasised that he was merely an instrument in God's hands.
The newspapers he carried to Sharjah became a means of bringing spiritual encouragement to people. His encounter with a homeless man became an opportunity to show compassion. His prayers became a source of hope for families facing difficulties.
His testimony also highlights the importance of the maternal intercession of the Holy Virgin Mary, whom he lovingly addresses as the Holy Mother of Kreupasanam.
He believes that the Mother's presence, prayers and blessings have played a significant role in his life and in the lives of those for whom he has prayed.
The testimony also recalls the beautiful words from the Book of Wisdom:
"For Thou lovest all things that exist, and hast loathing for none of the things which Thou hast made, for Thou wouldst not have made anything if Thou hadst hated it." (Wisdom 11:24, RSV-CE)
God is compassionate towards His children. He does not abandon those who suffer. He invites us to trust in Him, persevere in prayer and extend His love to others.
Conclusion: A Testimony of Faith, Hope and Divine Mercy
The life experiences shared by Thomas Tharakan offer encouragement to people who are struggling with illness, unemployment, financial difficulties, family problems and seemingly impossible situations.
His four-year struggle with frozen shoulder, his reported experiences of the Holy Mother's apparition, the remarkable story of Shaji Muhammad, his wife's promotion and the blessings experienced by other families have all strengthened his faith.
Above all, his commitment to sharing the Kreupasanam newspaper and helping people in need demonstrates how personal spiritual experiences can inspire charitable actions.
May the Almighty God continue to bless Thomas Tharakan, his wife, his children, his sister Lucy and all his family members.
May the Holy Virgin Mother of Kreupasanam intercede for all those who approach Her with faith and devotion.
And may everyone who hears this testimony be inspired to pray with greater faith, trust in God's mercy, help those in need and become an instrument of His abundant blessings.
Praise the Lord! All glory, honour and thanksgiving belong to the Almighty God!
