Franciscan Ministers of India Gather in Bengaluru to Celebrate the 800th Anniversary of the Transitus of St. Francis / 23 - 25 October - Bengaluru
In the year commemorating eight hundred years since the Transitus of St. Francis of Assisi, and heeding his call from the deathbed to begin anew, 110 Franciscan Major Superiors from 32 Franciscan congregations of the First and Third Orders gathered for the National Assembly of the Association of Franciscan Family of India (AFFI). The assembly was held at St. John’s Medical College Annexure, Bengaluru, from 23 to 25 October 2026, under the leadership of Br. Xavier Durairaj OFM, President of AFFI, and Br. Renny Velayappillil OFM Cap, Vice President, together with the AFFI executive body. They gathered around the theme “Let Us Begin Anew… Returning to Our Franciscan Roots, Renewing the Charism, Living the Gospel Today.”
The assembly opened on Friday, 23 October, with the Word of God, the Testament of St. Francis, and the Jubilee Prayer of Pope Leo. In the first keynote, Br. Henry D’Souza OFM Cap asked how the Gospel can remain the very breath of Franciscan life and not be replaced by institutional upkeep. The afternoon moved from reflection to practical choices for leaders, led by Br. John Sekar OFM. A panel, Many Charisms, One Francis, brought different Franciscan traditions into conversation about what unites them and how the identity of Francis can be preserved.
On Saturday, 24 October, the focus turned to leadership. Br. Arul Edward OFM Cap explored authority as service, interior freedom, and a “Franciscan Toolbox” for spirituality, fraternity and mission. The Franciscan ministers, guided by Sr. Prabha FCC, then reflected on the prophetic character of Franciscan mission in India. They asked where the poor and forgotten are not being reached, and what no single congregation can do alone.
Sunday, 25 October, widened the circle into the Franciscan Gathering (AFFI cum Franciscan Family Bengaluru (FFB)). Br. Xavier Alexander CMSF opened the day with an address on “Rediscovering Our Identity as Franciscans: The Lesser Brothers and Sisters the Society Needs Today.” Around 160 Franciscans from Bengaluru joined the gathering, led by Br. Salvador Fernandes OFM Cap, President of FFB.
At 10.00 a.m., Most Rev. Dr. Peter Machado, Archbishop of Bengaluru, presided at the Jubilee Mass. The day continued with dance, song, a musical drama by the Franciscan brothers and sisters, and Jubilee messages from the Superiors General. It also honoured the Silver, Golden and Diamond jubilarians, whose years of faithful service are living proof of the charism. The afternoon closed with a prayerful Transitus celebration led by the Capuchin brothers, which carried everyone back to the night Francis died, stripped of everything but the Gospel.
With so many Franciscan congregations in India, the ministers were invited to meet someone new, discover an unfamiliar expression of Franciscan charism, and exchange contacts. The closing sessions turned to practical areas. In formation, the congregations will share experts and resources with one another. In mission, they will choose a common witness among those most in need. Francis began by repairing one church, stone by stone. The Franciscan family in India leaves Bengaluru with the same humble, concrete task: to begin anew, together.
