OFM Franciscans - India

News & Events

Solemn Profession

 

Friars Affirm that They are Called to Love and Sent to Serve by Making their Solemn Profession

 

2 May 2022, Bengaluru: Brs. Kasu Eliyas, Adarsh Yesudas, Alphonse Velankanni and Sujit Ganji made their Solemn Profession in the hands of Br. Praveen Henry D Souza, Minister Provincial on 2 May 2022 at St. Anthony’s Friary Church, Bengaluru. Coming from different parts of South India, with their perpetual pledge to follow the Rule and Constitutions of the Order of Friars Minor - OFM, they have become members of the Universal Brotherhood.

This OFM Brotherhood was born 800 years ago in a smally town called Assisi because of one man called St. Francis of Assisi who dared to think differently. He proposed a new radical way of life with the Gospel-audacity to reinvigorate the Church and infuse the same with the renewed spirit that were so much wanting in the Church that day.

Walking towards the altar accompanied by the parents and family members, these brothers declared before the congregation when called upon to make the profession, “I am ready and willing.” Answering to the subsequent enquires from the Minister Provincial, they declared with full of courage, “I am so resolved” to follow Jesus Christ, to live the Holy Gospel, to observe the Rule of St Francis and the General Constitutions of the Order of Friars Minor and to embrace the evangelical counsels of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience.

Br. Praveen Henry D Souza in his homily invited brothers, “to sustain in the inspiration of the lord so that you grow in your vocation as a friar minor. Hence, a life of prayer is indispensable and a non-negotiable aspect our life as Franciscans”. He further advised the brothers, “You solemnly declare today, “I profess the life and Rule of the Friars Minor, confirmed by Pope Honorius, and promise to observe it faithfully…”. The Rule of the Order of Friars Minor is this – to live the Holy Gospel. You promise today to observe it faithfully. Keep this promise always brothers!”

The whole flock of Friars of the Province of St Thomas the Apostle present in the Church welcomed these brothers with the fraternal hug in their midst. The presence of nearly 45 friars for the occasion filled the Church with sweet Franciscan fragrance.

Br. Praveen D Souza also reminded the brothers, “We are best when we live as a community of brothers and not otherwise. Faced with challenges of individualism, divisions, hatred, communalism, I believe the religious and Franciscans have a better solution for the struggling world. With your fraternal life of love and service, teach us brothers to be better brothers and sisters to one another.

The moment came for each brother to climb the altar of the Lord to kneel before the minister provincial and to place his hand in the hands of the minister provincial as a sign of the surrender and professed the commitment to live by the life of St. Francis of Assisi. Br. Praveen, Minister Provincial accepted their profession with an invitation, “…And if you find it necessary for the peace of your soul, or for your consolation, and you want to come to me, come, dear Brother, come…”

With the symbolic offerings of mud, plant, fruit of the earth and the Bread and Wine, they reminded themselves of their call and purpose of life. As the Eucharist continued, brothers received Jesus Christ anew as source of strength and inspiration for their life as solemnly professed members of OFM.

As the final blessing, brother received the typical Franciscan blessing, a part of which sounds thus, “May God bless you with a restless discomfort about easy answers, half-truths and superficial relationships, so that you may seek truth boldly and love deep within your heart.”

The community of St. Anthony’s and St. Thomas felicitated the newly professed members and gifted them a book each for their spiritual nourishment. The presence of the family members, neighbouring religious men and women, friends and benefactors added joy to the occasion.

Br. John Sekar
Secretary of the Province

 

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI

ST. FRANCIS

ST. FRANCIS

FRIARS' BIRTHDAY (February)

Date

Name of the Friars

Events

Year

01

Wilson PaulNattalil

Hemant Xess

Robin Lakra

S. Vows

S. Vows

S. Vows

2001

2004

2004

02

Tomy Palackal

Vijay Minj

Gali Bal Reddy

Julius Arul Rayan

Birth

Birth

Birth

S. Vows

1974

1979

1996

2001

03

Ignatius Baa

Benjamin Jojo

S. Vows

S. Vows

2002

2002

04

St. Joseph de Leonisse, Priest, Cap.

Thomas A. 


Birth

1612

1972

05

Pratap Kumar Xess

Birth

1996

06

SahayaDhasJ.

Madhu Sudhan Reddy

Sleeva Reddy

Prem Kumar D’ Souza

Stephen Lamin Gashnga

Jayapal Dwarakonda

Joseph Stephen

SahayaDhas J.

Vinoth Robin

Felix Vijay

Eugene A.

Praveen Roshan Toppo

Jeddu Praveen Chinna Reddy

Nijil Chiramel

Joseph Prasanna Kumar

Pasala Showri Raju

Emmanuel Christopher

Birth 

Birth

Ordination

S. Vows

S. Vows

S. Vows

S. Vows

S. Vows

S. Vows

S. Vows

S. Vows 

S. Vows

S. Vows

S. Vows

S. Vows

S. Vows

Ordination

1980

1986

2002

2011

2011

2011

2011

2011

2012

2012

2012

2012

2012

2012

2012

2012

2021

09

Nijil Chiramel

Ordination 

2015

10

+ David Jackson

Home 

1972

12

Francis Xavier

Birth 

1970

14

Alphonse Velankanni

Birth

1996

15

Praveen Henry D’Souza

Deen Dayal

Pasala Showri Raju

Birth

Ordination

Ordination

1977

2017

2015

17

Prakruthi Mithra, Chundel

Blessing

2014

18

Assisivanam, Peravoor

Blessing

2009

20

Regi Matthew

Birth

1973

22

Lalith Kujur

Birth

1978

23

Vilas Correia

Xavier Durairaj

Birth

Birth

1973

1975

26

Nanasera Friary 

Jacob Kannampuzha

+Athanasius Xaxa

Blessing

Birth

Home

1996

1999

2019

27

Wilson PaulNattalil

Birth

1970

28

Madhavaram Friary

Amaladass Manickam

Foundation

Birth

1953

1954