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Franciscans Commemorate the 800th Anniversary of the Stigmata in Chennai, India

The Franciscans in the Archdiocese of Madras-Mylapore, led by the OFM Friars, gathered on 21 September 2024 at St. Sebastian’s Friary Church, Madhavaram-Chennai, to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the Gift of the Stigmata of our Holy Father St. Francis. Br. Michael Anand, Guardian of St. Sebastian’s Friary, and Br. Arok Sundar, Guardian of Nesakkaram-Nesavanam, meticulously planned the event, bringing together Franciscans from across the city of Chennai.

Br. John Sekar, OFM, delivered a moving presentation on the Stigmata, describing it as a memory to be celebrated, a grace to be experienced, and a renewal to be embraced. Parishioners of St. Sebastian’s Church, along with various pious associations, contributed to the event by creating the tableauxdepicting key moments in St. Francis' life, such as his embrace of the leper, the celebration of the Crib, and his experience of the Stigmata, carried in the procession. Little children scattered flowers joyfully as they accompanied the procession, while members of the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) played an essential role.

During the prayer service, presided over by Br. Xavier Durairaj, Minister Provincial, the novices of the Franciscan Sisters of St. Anne of Madras (SSAM) prayerfully re-enacted the moments surrounding St. Francis' reception of the Stigmata, making the experience vivid for all present. During this same service, parishioners also witnessed the official initiation of 27 young members into the YouFra Fraternity.

Most Rev. Dr. Singarayar, Bishop-Emeritus of the Diocese of Salem, renowned for his simplicity and deep love for St. Francis, presided over the bilingual Holy Eucharist in Tamil and English. The liturgy was beautifully animated by the Sisters of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary (FMM), the Franciscan Hospitaller Sisters of the Immaculate Conception (FHIC), and the Parish Choir. Parishioners filled the church to its capacity, with various Franciscan congregations-OFM, OFM Cap., FMM, FSJ, SSAM, FCC, FBC, FHIC, FIHM, FMSC, etc., and members of the OFS actively participating in the Eucharistic celebration. The presence of Sr. Clara Vasanthi, Mother General of SSAM, and Sr. M. Arokiam, Mother General of FSJ, added to the joy of the occasion.

All who gathered for this celebration experienced the grace of the Stigmata of our Holy Father St. Francis, made possible through the heartfelt efforts of the OFM fraternities in Chennai.

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