OFM Franciscans - India

News & Events

WELCOMING THE VISITATOR GENERAL

Alphonse Valankanni, OFM

The Visitator General, Noel Muscat arrived in Bengaluru on Thursday 16th June afternoon. Since it was a weekday, Friars were all busy with their ministries, so we could not welcome him in the afternoon, therefore the community decided to prepare a solemn fraternal welcome in the evening at 7.30. As planned, all the Friars from both the communities gathered at the entrance of the Friary to welcome the Visitator General. We welcomed him by singing a Franciscan hymn “My brothers my sisters come listen to me…” the welcoming address was given by Brother Praveen. He introduced Br. Noel Muscat by enumerating with a number of his enormous contributions to the order. The welcome was in our keeping with Indian traditional, Aarti was offered by the student friars. A Garland and Flower bouquet were given by both the Guardians. Then in procession we entered the Friary Chapel for the evening vespers. Before we began our prayer, Brother Gabriel explained the meaning of the term “Visitator General '' saying that the Visitator was one who represents the person of the Minister General and acts in his name. The Visitation is a careful examination of the government and lifestyle of Provinces, the Entities and Houses of the Order, as well as of the life and mission of the friars assigned to them. After the Magnificat, each friar welcomed Br. Noel Muscat by exchanging with him a kiss of peace, thanking God for his presence among us. At the end, the Visitator General gave us the final blessing and we all proceeded to the refectory for a fellowship meal. He begins the Visitation from Monday 20th of June. Let us pray that the Spirit of the Lord may grant him and us a time of grace and inspiration and that the Spirit accompany Br. Noel in all his endeavours for the good of our province and the Order!

 

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