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India: Miracle of Brotherhood - FRISM ’23 (Friar Students’ Meet – 2023)

“Miracle of Brotherhood”, so described Br. Shaji Nicholas, the Secretary of Formation & Studies of the Province of St. Thomas the Apostle of India, the gathering of young friars that took place in India. 

67 Student Friars in Formation, from Novitiate to Pastoral Formation gathered together under the title FRISM ’23 (Friar Students’ Meet – 2023) from 25 to 31 May 2023 to celebrate the grace of Franciscan Vocation at St. Louis Friary, Palamaner, India. This was also an occasion to celebrate the 8th centenary of the Approval of the Later Rule and the celebration of Christmas at Greccio in 1223 and so to rediscover the Spirit of St. Francis in Formation. 

The Inaugural Session began with the Prayer Service at the Friary Chapel and continued with the Procession in veneration of the Book of the Rule and the Babe of Bethlehem. Br. Darko Tepert, Secretary General for Formation and Studies, in his inaugural address, highlighted the essence of Prayer, Work, Poverty, and Mission. He added, “My vocation is not my property. I am called to be sent…. we are invited to exit – to go out of ourselves and to go towards the others.” Br. Sleeva, Guardian welcomed the gathering inviting the friars to celebrate the Franciscan Vocation. 

Br. Shaji Nicholas explained the purpose of the gathering as a time of facilitating the transition from one stage to another stage of formation and to rediscover the spirit of St. Francis to nurture and grow in the Franciscan Vocation. Br. Xavier Durairaj, Minister Provincial, in his Keynote address, invited the young friars to give themselves fully as a gift to God as God gave Himself as a gift to us. 

The lay experts and religious gave input sessions every day on different themes related to vocation and life. The breaks between the sessions, the time of meals, and the evening get-together were occasions of encountering the ‘other brother’ and inspiring the ‘other brother’. Br. Jacob, a participant at FRISM says, “Our coming together under one roof is a prophetic witness of the Gospel fraternity, an antidote for the intangible digital fraternity and its propagandas in our age. I perceive that we have not just gathered together to eat, recreate, play, pray, etc., but to encounter, to know, and to unmask one's true self to the other. To establish collaboration, interdependence, and inter-subjectivity.” 

As last year, the meeting of the formators was held this year too on the sidelines of FRISM ’23. During the interaction between the formators and student friars in formation, they shared with one another the joys, difficulties, and expectations during the years of formation. The games, indoor and outdoor, conducted with a fraternal spirit were moments of great joy for the brothers to celebrate the brotherhood with an authentic spirit. The cultural programme, with a variety of items, was a great show of the talents and skills of young friars! 

It was inspiringly nostalgic for the student friars to be at St. Louis Friary Novitiate, where their life as Friars Minor once began, to witness the entry of 9 Novices and the simple profession of 7 friars and also to relive these precious moments once again in their lives. 38 brothers renewed their vows for another year too. 

The presence of Br. Xavier Durairaj, Minister Provincial, Br. Tony D Souza, Custos and Br. Wilson Paul, President along with many friars from different communities and of the local community was very encouraging for the young friars. It is firmly believed that the future FRISM gatherings will only help the young student friars to renew their Vision and embrace their Future in the spirit of St. Francis with courage.

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