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The Celebration of the opening of the eighth centenary of the stigmata of St Francis.

The Celebration of the opening of the eighth centenary of the stigmata of St Francis (1224 -2024) was held at St Louis Friary on the 9th March 2024 at around 7 PM.

The whole community of 48 members including Friars, Novices and Junior Brothers, gathered for the celebration. The service began with a procession carrying lighted candles from Fonte Colombo till the Greccio garden. The Animation of liturgy was taken up by the Novices under the guidance of the Novice master. The Venue, Greccio Garden right in front of the Novitiate entrance was well decorated with a beautiful display of the “Stigmata scene” built as a crib. The Liturgy was taken from the material sent by the secretary from Bengaluru. The Liturgy was divided among the Novices who conducted the prayer service with a meaningful introduction given by the Emcee, the three readings from the Franciscan sources were prayerfully read, hymns sung connected us to appreciate and celebrate the gift of stigmata, Litany of the saints was also sung which made us all aware for the first time of the multitude army of Franciscan saints and also the Message delivered by the Guardian was the message from the message of Pope St. John Paul II.

In essence the spirit and the gift of the stigmata given to St Francis was remembered, acknowledged and embraced. An deeper understanding of the crucified Christ made us know that the love of God becomes concrete and becomes visible in giving to others and the desire to be instruments of consolation and peace was revived in us.

 

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