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.
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.
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.
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
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 |