OFM Franciscans - India

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Franciscans Celebrate the Peace Encounter between St. Francis and Sultan

27 July Bengaluru: Leaders across various religions assembled together for an inter-religious event on Dialogue, Peace and Harmony in St. Joseph’s Boys’ High School Auditorium, Bengaluru on 27 July, Saturday to mark the 800th anniversary of an encounter between St. Francis of Assisi and Sultan al-Malik al-Kāmil of Egypt. Franciscans in Bengaluru under the leadership of Br. Praveen Henry D’ Souza, Minister Provincial organized this mega event to commemorate the peace initiative of St. Francis in 1219 during the time of Crusades to propose the end of war and to encourage peace and dialogue.

The dignitaries present include the religious heads Swami Tatwarupaananda Adyaksha, Mr Giani Keval Singh, Swami Mahamunivandaru Sritha Mahagathe, Mr. Shereyar Vakil, Dr J Bhavani and Dr. Mohammed Taha Mateen. They spoke in unison to a gathering of more than 700 people calling out for peace and harmony irrespective of our differences. They highlighted the essence of the religion saying that every religion invites to promote peace and harmony. Most Rev. Dr. Peter Machado in his presidential address admired the peace initiative of St. Francis and explained how it is still relevant and meaningful for today.

The cultural programmes by students of Jyothi Nivas College, Al-Ameen School, Vaz Dramatics Academy and St. Joseph’s College brought out beautifully the theme of the celebration as well as the inter-religious peace. This gathering of peace concluded with the Peace March towards the War Memorial in Brigade Road where St. Francis’ song of peace was sung and hand-outs of peace prayer were distributed to the onlookers. Fr. Praveen speaking about the event said, "This event is a beginning of many such events in the future". He added, "As Franciscans, it is our duty to promote dialogue among various religious and become instruments of peace in the world."

 

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI

ST. FRANCIS

ST. FRANCIS

FRIARS' BIRTHDAY (July)

Date

Name of the Friars

Events

Year

01

Anthony Alex Martis

Birth

1976

02

Pratap Reddy Salibindla

Henry Jose

Birth

Birth

1960

1992

03

+ Thomas the Apostle – Patron of the Province

Amaladass Manickam

Atma Jyothi, Mysore

Abhishek M.

Feast


Solemn Vows

Blessing

Birth



1982

1987

1995

04

Praveen Henry D’Souza

Ordination

2007

05

Martin Sangma

Birth

1992

06

Jugal Kishore Lakra

Birth

1976

07

+ Michael Haliday

Baikim Chandra Minj

Stephen Lamin Gashnga

Home

Birth

Birth

1976

1982

1983

08

Dominic C.J.

+ Bede Worham

Birth

Home

1959

1991

09

Mukti Prakash Ekka

Arun Junes

Solemn Vows

Ordination

2000

2006

12

Anto Leo

Birth

1988

13

Sidney J.M.

Arvind Kerketta

Birth

Birth

1941

1970

14

Michael Anand

Simon A.

Deepak Xalxo

Avinash Toppo

Birth

Birth

Birth

Birth

1977

1981

1992

1996

15

+ Bonaventure

Feast


20

+ Blaise Lobo

Home

1997

21

Lawrence of Brindisi

James N.

Feast

Birth


1966

22

+ Leonard Fernandes

Home

1980

27

+ Cornelius D’ Souza

Phyrnai Lyngdoh

Home

Birth

2009

1983

28

+ Alphonsa

Feast


30

Trevor D’ Souza

Entry

1985

31

Joseph Prasanna Kumar

Birth

1985