OFM Franciscans - India

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Louis Friary - Palamaner, India Celebrates the 8th Centenary of the Stigmata

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.

 

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI

ST. FRANCIS

ST. FRANCIS

FRIARS' BIRTHDAY (December)

Date

Name of the Friars

Events

Year

02

St. Louis Friary – Palmaner

Fidelis D’ Lima

Foundation

Ordination

1949

1964

05

Abraham Vadana

Shaji Nicholas Vadachery

+ Valentine Crasta

Birth

Birth

Home

1946

1969

2011

06

Baptist D’ Souza

Birth

1975

07

+ Anthony’s Church - Bannur

Erection

1999

09

Anil Kerketta

Birth

1980

11

Richard D’Silva

+ Agnel D’ Mello

Ordination

Home

1960

2013

13

Vincent Soosai

Varghese Sebastian

Scaria Varanath

Thomas M.M.

Dayanand

Anand Suresh Minj

Nideesh M. John

Birth

Ordination

Ordination

Ordination

Ordination

Birth

Birth

1970

1975

1975

1975

1975

1987

1993

14

+ Titus Myppan

Home

2012

15

Gregory Fernandes

Ordination

1963

16

Paul K.L.

Assisi Sadan - Nagpur

Birth

Foundation

1952

1993

17

Sidney Mascarenhas

Varghese Lakra

Ordination

Birth

1967

1977

18

Ajit Kerketta

Birth

1976

19

James Kallarackan

Friary Chapel – Palmaner

Birth

Blessing

1942

1967

21

Parish Church - Palmaner

Blessing

1964

22

Francis Agnelo Rozario

Birth

1966

24

Emmanuel Christopher

Birth

1992

25

Mukti P. Ekka

+ Celestine Reardon

+ Ambrose Staskunas

Birth

Home

Home

1973

1976

1986

26

Tony D’ Souza

+ Paschal Fernando

Birth

Home

1962

1994

27

Irudayaraj Fernando

Sahaya Dhas J.

Ordination

Ordination

2002

2013

28

Madhu Sudhan Reddy

Ordination

2015

29

Thumma Ranjith Kumar Reddy

Ordination

2015

30

+ Gratian McEvoy

Wilson Paul Nattalil

Stephen Lamin Gashnga

+ Kuriyan Joseph

Home

Ordination

Ordination

Home

1992

2003

2012

2015

31

Sleeva Reddy

Birth

1968