3 May, 2023, Bengaluru: Br. Anthony Joseph Archer and Br. Pradeep Anthony having lived this Franciscan Religious Life for the last five years in temporary vows made a daring, worldly unpopular decision to commit themselves forever to the Order of Friars Minor to live as a Friar Minor. On 3 May 2023, during the Eucharistic Celebration presided over by Br Saji Mathew, the Vicar Provincial, Brs. Anthony and Pradeep pronounced their solemn vows.
Accompanied by their parents and family members, they walked down the aisle as the Eucharist began. As Br. Naveen George, the Director of Formation presented them to Br. Saji Mathew to be admitted to the Order of Friars Minor, Brs. Anthony and Pradeep declared their decision in unison in these words, “I am ready and willing.” Br. Saji Mathew, in his homily appreciated and congratulated for the decision to be ready and willing to embrace this Franciscan life. Through his inspiring words, he explained the crux of the religious life as to how it is paradoxical – in dying that we live. Br. Saji Mathew also explained briefly the evangelical counsels, Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience and their implications in the modern-day world.
Having queried and ascertained their desire to follow the footprints of the Holy Father St. Francis to embrace the self-denial of Christ Jesus Our Lord, the intercessions of the Saints were sought as Brs. Anthony and Pradeep surrendered to the Lord in prostration. Ready and willing that they were, they knelt before Br. Saji Mathew. They gave their hands into his hands and proclaimed the Profession Creed solemnly. With the fraternal embrace from the friars present, they were admitted to the Order of Friars Minor.
Belonging to the Province of St. Thomas the Apostle, India, these brothers have completed their first year of Theological Studies residing in St. Anthony’s Friary, Bengaluru. It was an emotional event too as Br. Sujith sought the blessings of his parents to renounce all personal ties to submit himself to the Lord to embrace the universal ties. Accompanied by a good number of Friar Priests and others, the Cardinal prayed for the Holy Spirit to anoint Br. Sujith and to raise him to the Order of Priesthood.
Date |
Name of the Friars |
Events |
Year |
01 |
Gabriel Mathias Carlos Dias |
Birth Ordination |
1950 1989 |
03 |
+ Sylvester McGoldrick |
Home |
1992 |
04 |
Vineet Kerketta |
Birth |
1995 |
05 |
+ Achilles Meersman Salim Joseph Nicolas Marak |
Home Ordination Birth |
1982 1994 1994 |
07 |
Rajasekhar Reddy Gopu Punitha Anthoniar Illam |
Birth Foundation |
1985 1992 |
08 |
John Chrysostom |
Birth |
1965 |
09 |
+ Prasad Cheely |
Ordination |
1998 |
10 |
Jugal Kishore Lakra |
Ordination |
2005 |
11 |
Paul Kallan |
Ordination |
1996 |
12 |
+ Liguory Mimpen |
Home |
2016 |
13 |
Francis Agnelo Rozario |
Ordination |
1997 |
14 |
Matthew Kootumkal Cajetan S. Lourenco Shalom Friary, Hyderabad Cajetan S. Lourenco + John Peter Bhaskar Reddy |
Birth Birth Foundation Ordination Home Ordination |
1963 1965 1975 1996 2005 2005 |
15 |
Ignatius Baa Joseph Raj M. |
Ordination Ordination |
2005 2007 |
16 |
Richard D’Silva Shanborlang Wartde Francis Kaviyil Babu Jose Pamplany |
Birth Birth Ordination Ordination |
1933 1989 1994 1994 |
17 |
Peter Saleth Nathan J. Ushar Kachhua Joy (George) Sebastian Jacob Tani |
Birth Birth Ordination Birth |
1978 1992 2010 1993 |
18 |
St.Francis Friary, Kochi Prasad Papabathuni Joy K.D. |
Erection Ordination Ordination |
1951 1998 1998 |
19 |
Parish at Chippilithode Vilas Baptist Correia Prashanth Wilson Fernandes |
Erection Ordination Ordination |
1997 2008 2012 |
20 |
Johnson M.V. Tojy M. Regi Matthew Ajit Kumar Dung Dung Tony Marshall Nelson Toppo |
Ordination Ordination Ordination Ordination Ordination Birth |
1999 2004 2006 2008 2009 1992 |
21 |
Abraham Vadana Davis Kallookaran Alphonse Moras Gerald Lobo Simon Pinto Paul K.L. + Angelo James Anthony New Church at Salbari |
Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Home Blessing |
1972 1972 1972 1972 1972 1972 2002 2013 |
22 |
+ Owen McLaughlin |
Home |
1974 |
23 |
Anthony Roobandass A. Singarayar A. Tom John Thomas A. |
Birth Ordination Ordination Ordination |
1978 1997 2002 2003 |
24 |
Johnny Anthony Benjamin Jojo John Sekar |
Birth Ordination Ordination |
1961 2005 2010 |
25 |
Pratap Reddy Salibindla Thomas Joseph Johnny Anthony Sandesh Manuel Varghese Lakra |
Ordination Ordination Ordination Ordination Ordination |
1991 1992 1992 2009 2010 |
26 |
Thaddeus Baxla Pradeep Kalliath |
Birth Ordination |
1968 2007 |
27 |
+ Paul Fernandes |
Home |
2004 |
29 |
Arok Sundar Sebastian Dharma L. Bernard Arun Prakash Lourdu Augustine Balaswamy Gundiga Peter Saleth Nathan J. Vijay Minj |
Entry Entry Birth Ordination Ordination Ordination Ordination |
1973 1973 1974 2006 2008 2012 2012 |
30 |
Parish at Nanasera Anthony Alex Martis Vijay Amirtharaj A. Nesavanam,Chennai New Church at Reddypalem |
Erection Ordination Ordination Blessing Blessing |
1995 2008 2008 2008 2013 |