OFM Franciscans - India

About Us

Origin and Charism of the Order

The Order of Friars Minor founded by St. Francis of Assisi (1182-1226) is a fraternity. In this fraternity the friars follow Jesus Christ more closely under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit; through profession they dedicate themselves totally to God whom they love above all, living the Gospel in the Church according to the form observed and proposed by St. Francis. Friars, as followers of St. Francis, are bound to lead a radically evangelical life, namely: to live in a spirit of prayer and devotion and in fraternal fellowship; they are to offer a witness of penance and minority; and, in charity towards all mankind, they are to announce the Gospel throughout the whole world and to preach reconciliation, peace and justice by their deeds; and to show respect for creation.

OFM in India

The Dutch Franciscans started the first house in Bangalore, India in1948. Our Province was restructured in 2008 and created two more entities in India, with a Region in North India and a Foundation in North East India.

Vision

We, as the Franciscan Province of St. Thomas the Apostle, are a part of a worldwide Brotherhood with International and Intercultural dimensions. We are called to give greater quality to our vocation through a joyful and vibrant witness to the Gospel among all peoples, in fraternity and minority.

Types of Apostolate

Our Apostolate consists mainly of Parish ministry, School, Social Institutions like Boys Homes, ITI, Preaching ministries, Ashram ministry etc. Entities
The Province of St. Thomas, the Apostle in India, consists of the States of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala.
The dependent Custody (Region) of Mary, the Mother of God consists of the states of Goa, Maharashtra, M.P, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Orissa.
The dependent Foundation of St. Francis of Assisi in North East India consists of Assam and the other States of the North East. At the moment, we have our apostolate and mission work in Assam

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI

ST. FRANCIS

ST. FRANCIS

FRIARS' BIRTHDAY (February)

Date

Name of the Friars

Events

Year

01

Wilson PaulNattalil

Hemant Xess

Robin Lakra

S. Vows

S. Vows

S. Vows

2001

2004

2004

02

Tomy Palackal

Vijay Minj

Gali Bal Reddy

Julius Arul Rayan

Birth

Birth

Birth

S. Vows

1974

1979

1996

2001

03

Ignatius Baa

Benjamin Jojo

S. Vows

S. Vows

2002

2002

04

St. Joseph de Leonisse, Priest, Cap.

Thomas A. 


Birth

1612

1972

05

Pratap Kumar Xess

Birth

1996

06

SahayaDhasJ.

Madhu Sudhan Reddy

Sleeva Reddy

Prem Kumar D’ Souza

Stephen Lamin Gashnga

Jayapal Dwarakonda

Joseph Stephen

SahayaDhas J.

Vinoth Robin

Felix Vijay

Eugene A.

Praveen Roshan Toppo

Jeddu Praveen Chinna Reddy

Nijil Chiramel

Joseph Prasanna Kumar

Pasala Showri Raju

Emmanuel Christopher

Birth 

Birth

Ordination

S. Vows

S. Vows

S. Vows

S. Vows

S. Vows

S. Vows

S. Vows

S. Vows 

S. Vows

S. Vows

S. Vows

S. Vows

S. Vows

Ordination

1980

1986

2002

2011

2011

2011

2011

2011

2012

2012

2012

2012

2012

2012

2012

2012

2021

09

Nijil Chiramel

Ordination 

2015

10

+ David Jackson

Home 

1972

12

Francis Xavier

Birth 

1970

14

Alphonse Velankanni

Birth

1996

15

Praveen Henry D’Souza

Deen Dayal

Pasala Showri Raju

Birth

Ordination

Ordination

1977

2017

2015

17

Prakruthi Mithra, Chundel

Blessing

2014

18

Assisivanam, Peravoor

Blessing

2009

20

Regi Matthew

Birth

1973

22

Lalith Kujur

Birth

1978

23

Vilas Correia

Xavier Durairaj

Birth

Birth

1973

1975

26

Nanasera Friary 

Jacob Kannampuzha

+Athanasius Xaxa

Blessing

Birth

Home

1996

1999

2019

27

Wilson PaulNattalil

Birth

1970

28

Madhavaram Friary

Amaladass Manickam

Foundation

Birth

1953

1954