OFM Franciscans - India

News & Events

Christmas 2021 in Barul

The lonely and the only star seen brightly shining at night in the Barul sky from afar.

The simple crib, made by the youth, attracted many children and youth. They gathered in front of the crib. A girl read Lk 2, 1-14, and a boy read Titus 2, 11-14, by which they came to hear about the way the Saviour was born and that his his grace and love reaches all mankind.

Then there was singing and dancing and Thanksgiving. All joined in prayer to make God's Word the light for their path by singing the bhajan, MADHUR PAVAN VACHAN TERA.

Christmas celebration must remember St. Francis of Assisi, and the encyclicals LAUDATO SI' and FRATELLI TUTTI and so the calf named Sundari was part of the celebration. She enjoyed the children's company. The children spend time devoutly before the crib. They were all served some special snacks. There was distribution of Pressure Cookers (5 litre) to the families in Barul sponsored by Mr. Abraham Van Leeuwen and Roos Schneider from the Netherlands. The Villagers were very happy.

I had gone to Chhindwara Parish for the Christmas Midnight Mass and visited the prisoners in Chhindwara District Jail on the 25th and held the Christmas celebration in Barul on the 26th.Some people in the town were looking for an invitation from the Ashram to take part in the celebration. I found that a good sign. Peace and Joy of the Saviour must be shared freely.

Br. Scaria Varanath OFM
Haritodhyan, Barul

 

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI

ST. FRANCIS

ST. FRANCIS

FRIARS' BIRTHDAY (September)

Date

Name of the Friars

Events

Year

02

+ Matthew Walsh

Jayaseelan P.R.

Home

Ordination

1969

2001

04

+ Kentigern Stuart

Home

1995

08

Arokiam John

Tom John

Arockiasamy P.

Niranjan Toppo

Birth

Solemn Vows

Solemn Vows

Birth

1976

1999

1999

1993

09

Salun Kispotta

Birth

1995

10

Athanasius Xaxa

Birth

1959

11

+ Paulinus van Halderen

Home

1999

13

Bangalore Friary

+ Vincent Roy

John Sekar

Blessing

Home

Birth

1952

1959

1982

14

Anthony Pushparaj

Birth

1976

15

+ Fidelis Magee

Home

1979

17

Stigmata of Francis

Varghese Sebastian

Richard D’ Silva

Assisi Illam Dindigul

Feast

Birth

Solemn Vows

Blessing


1947

1956

2010

18

Joseph of Cupertino

Feast


19

Mesia Elias Moses M.

Birth

1973

20

Tom John

Birth

1961

23

Padre Pio

+ John Forest Hogan

A.J.Mathew Joseph

Feast

Home

Birth


1962

1989

24

Shalom Friary –Hyderabad

Blessing

1995

25

Sagaya Soosairaj

Birth

1968

26

+ Fabian D’ Souza

Home

2010

27

+ Conrad Gomes

Home

1993

28

Nicholas D’ Souza

Lourdu Augustine

Pradeep Anthony L.

Birth

Birth

Birth

1945

1976

1992

29

Sushil Beck

Salim Baxla

Birth

Birth

1973

1974