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 |
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 |
