St. Louis Friary, the cradle of Franciscans in India, hosted a deeply moving celebration marking the 8th centenary of the Stigmata of our Holy Father Francis. Friars from across the province gathered to participate in this significant event. The friary’s campus, with its beautiful recreation of La Verna, offered a serene and spiritual atmosphere for the celebration.
Friars, novices, and aspirants gathered at the foot of the San Damiano Cross, symbolizing the beginning of St. Francis' journey. In the tranquil setting reminiscent of La Verna, where St. Francis received the Stigmata, the community began a candlelight procession. Led by Br. Joseph Raj, the Master of the Aspirants, they moved in prayer and song, with hymns honoring St. Francis filling the air. The procession ended at a special site within the friary campus, where a depiction of St. Francis’ Stigmata had been set up.
The Aspirants conducted the prayer service, featuring poignant readings from the writings of St. Bonaventure and Thomas of Celano. The entire brotherhood recited psalms, sang hymns, and prayed in unison, deeply experiencing the spirit of St. Francis at La Verna. Br. Sleeva, Guardian of the Friary, and Br. Charles Bernard, the Novice Master, ensured that this celebration was filled with grace and reverence.
The presence of friars from various parts of the province, who were attending their annual renewal retreat, added even greater significance to the event. The centenary celebration of the Stigmata of St. Francis inspired a deeper call to renewal, reminding all present of the transformative power of St. Francis' encounter with Christ through the Stigmata.
Date |
Name of the Friars |
Events |
Year |
01 |
Jose Palimattom Vincent Soosai Fabianus Toppo Bryan Carneiro Bhaskar Reddy Michael Anand |
Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Entry Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows |
1996 1996 1999 2002 2002 2002 |
02 |
Leos Ekka Vinoth Robin + Denis Boers Basil Tirkey Vinod Kujur Francis Arokiasamy M. Thumma Ranjith Kumar Reddy |
Birth Birth Home Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows |
1963 1985 1997 2013 2013 2013 2013 |
03 |
Fabianus Toppo + Theodore Caine Ankit Kumar Baghel |
Birth Home Birth |
1978 1986 1996 |
04 |
Dharmodaya Ashram - Bellary |
Foundation |
1995 |
06 |
Alphonse Moras |
Birth |
1950 |
07 |
Sleeva Reddy Tojy M. |
Solemn Vows Solemn Vows |
1998 1998 |
08 |
Joy Valooran Dominic C.J. Balthazar Pinto Bala Marneni Tony D’ Souza |
Birth Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows |
1970 1987 1987 1987 1987 |
09 |
Anthony Joseph Archer |
Birth |
1992 |
10 |
Arokia Raj R. |
Solemn Vows |
1989 |
11 |
Jesu Raja A. |
Birth |
1985 |
12 |
Pratap Reddy Salibindla Balthazar Pinto Bala Marneni Tony D’Souza Arokia Raj R. Arulsamy A. Thomas Joseph Bobby V.T. Johnny Anthony Charles Bernard Felix Gassam Athanasius Xaxa Paul Kallan Leos Ekka John Chrysostom Salim Joseph Francis Kaviyil Babu Jose Pamplany James N. Chinnappan M. Devaraj Amaldas Belevendran |
Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry |
1981 1981 1981 1981 1982 1982 1982 1982 1983 1984 1984 1985 1985 1985 1985 1985 1985 1985 1985 1985 1986 |
13 |
+ Anthony of Padua Samson A. Basen Friary Nanasera Friary New Church at Sion Bannur Friary |
Feast Birth Foundation Foundation Blessing Foundation |
1955 1982 1992 1995 1999 |
14 |
Francis Arokiasamy M. |
Birth |
1987 |
16 |
Adarsh Y. |
Birth |
1994 |
18 |
Michael Anand |
Ordination |
2005 |
19 |
Dayanand Dharma L. Bernard |
Birth Birth |
1950 1953 |
20 |
Tony Marshall + Alphaeus Swinkels |
Birth Home |
1978 1980 |
21 |
Jamesmon P.C. |
Birth |
1970 |
22 |
Arulsamy A. Arun Junes |
Birth Birth |
1961 1978 |
25 |
Thomas M.M. |
Birth |
1949 |
26 |
Niraj Kumar Tirkey |
Birth |
1993 |
27 |
Naveen George |
Birth |
1982 |
28 |
Samson Tommy T.J. Dominic C.J. Carlos Dias Manoj Xalxo |
Entry Entry Entry Entry Birth |
1980 1980 1980 1980 1982 |
30 |
Amaldas Belevendran + Leo Remedios |
Birth Home |
1967 1970 |
