The priest with a trick up his sleeve and a message in his heart
In a quiet parish in Kerala’s Venmoney, something out of the ordinary unfolds during Bible classes. Fire turns into a dove. A simple ribbon transforms into the Indian national flag. Children rip paper into shreds only to discover chocolate in return. In the middle of it all stands Rev. Dr Saju Mathew, a Marthoma priest who has spent two decades using “sleight of hand” and multimedia to spread the message of hope and faith.
“I started learning magic during my theological studies back in 1998,” said Rev. Mathew, recalling his time at the Marthoma Theological Seminary in Kottayam. “Back then, Sunday school teachers were using flannel boards. I wanted to be different—to attract children and bring them closer to the message of God.”
Little did he know, that what he began as a simple method to keep his audience engaged, would eventually become his hallmark. It even earned him the prestigious Merlin Award—often referred to as the “Oscar of magic”—for Best Magician in 2015, making him the fourth Indian and first priest to receive the honour.
The methods he uses to preach the gospel are anything but conventional. Here’s how a typical session with Rev. Mathew goes: He may open with a popular clip making rounds on the internet to grab attention. Then, creating a link through games, music, magic and science demonstrations, gradually builds up to a central message. “I blend good news, art, science, cinema, fun, and wonder,” he explained. “I know people, especially children, can’t sit through 90 minutes of talk. So, I use every tool I have—puppets, doodles, chemical reactions—to make it engaging.”
When asked if he has a favourite trick, there’s one that comes to mind instantly—turning fire into a live dove. “I tell them, this world is full of pain and agony. But when you cover your life with the Word of God—or knowledge, for students—it can protect you,” he said. “When I open the box, the fire is gone, and out comes a dove—symbolizing purity and hope.” There is no doubt that his prestidigitation leaves the children in awe.
Fr Mathew does have another trick up his sleeve. He often wraps up his sermons with a pinch of patriotism. A staunch nationalist, he transforms three ribbons—saffron, white, and green—into the national flag. “I call children wearing those colours to the front,” he explained. “Then I ask everyone to stand, and when the flag appears, the national anthem plays. It’s a way to connect faith with patriotism.”
Rev. Mathew is quick to clarify that what he does isn’t sorcery or supernatural. “Some people confuse magic with witchcraft. But what I do is sleight of hand and illusion,” he said. “It’s just a way to keep attention and make the message visual.”
None of what the priest does onstage would be possible without the help of his family. His sermons are a team effort, a work built by his loved ones. While his wife, Bincy, handles the hymns with their daughter Joanna, his eldest, Joel, assists with technical work, as well as acting as a keyboardist for the clan. “It’s our best time together,” he said. “We plan our sessions as a team, even turning camps into fun family road trips.”
Of course, not everything always goes as planned. “Sometimes the dove flies out before I can take it,” he laughed. “Or in a mind-reading trick, I guessed ‘Mammootty’ and the person was thinking ‘Mohanlal’.”
Fr Mathew’s accolades extend beyond the pulpit. Besides being a typographer and doodling artist recognised by the London Harvard World Records for his work on the Indian heritage, he is also a noted cactus curator, maintaining over 300 varieties.
Putting aside the props and the spectacle, he remains clear about his core purpose. “The message is always central. Magic is just the wrapping,” Rev. Mathew said. “If it helps even one child or one elder walk away inspired, then it’s all worth it.
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