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.
To live out the Good News of Jesus Christ in a spirit of obedience, without personal possessions and in chastity.
The Dutch Franciscans started the first house in Bangalore, India in 1948. The Franciscan Province of St. Thomas the Apostle, in India, was officially erected on 12 March 1985. This was not the first time an independent Franciscan Province was established in India. During the Portuguese period there were two full fledged Provinces in Goa: Province of St. Thomas, which was erected in 1612 and the Province of Mother of God, which was erected in 1622. The Franciscan Province of St. Thomas the Apostle, in India was restructured in 2008 and created two more entities in India, with a dependent Custody (region) in North India and a dependent Foundation in North East India.
The Franciscans are present in 117 countries with 13233 professed members around the world.
Our Apostolate consists mainly of Parish ministry, Schools, Social Institutions: Boys Homes, Home for the rag pickers, centre to give care for the HIV/AIDS patients, Industrial Training School, Preaching ministries, Ashram ministries, Centre for Integrity of Creation.
Date |
Name of the Friars |
Events |
Year |
02 |
St. Louis Friary – Palmaner Fidelis D’ Lima |
Foundation Ordination |
1949 1964 |
05 |
Abraham Vadana Shaji Nicholas Vadachery + Valentine Crasta |
Birth Birth Home |
1946 1969 2011 |
06 |
Baptist D’ Souza |
Birth |
1975 |
07 |
+ Anthony’s Church - Bannur |
Erection |
1999 |
09 |
Anil Kerketta |
Birth |
1980 |
11 |
Richard D’Silva + Agnel D’ Mello |
Ordination Home |
1960 2013 |
13 |
Vincent Soosai Varghese Sebastian Scaria Varanath Thomas M.M. Dayanand Anand Suresh Minj Nideesh M. John |
Birth Ordination Ordination Ordination Ordination Birth Birth |
1970 1975 1975 1975 1975 1987 1993 |
14 |
+ Titus Myppan |
Home |
2012 |
15 |
Gregory Fernandes |
Ordination |
1963 |
16 |
Paul K.L. Assisi Sadan - Nagpur |
Birth Foundation |
1952 1993 |
17 |
Sidney Mascarenhas Varghese Lakra |
Ordination Birth |
1967 1977 |
18 |
Ajit Kerketta |
Birth |
1976 |
19 |
James Kallarackan Friary Chapel – Palmaner |
Birth Blessing |
1942 1967 |
21 |
Parish Church - Palmaner |
Blessing |
1964 |
22 |
Francis Agnelo Rozario |
Birth |
1966 |
24 |
Emmanuel Christopher |
Birth |
1992 |
25 |
Mukti P. Ekka + Celestine Reardon + Ambrose Staskunas |
Birth Home Home |
1973 1976 1986 |
26 |
Tony D’ Souza + Paschal Fernando |
Birth Home |
1962 1994 |
27 |
Irudayaraj Fernando Sahaya Dhas J. |
Ordination Ordination |
2002 2013 |
28 |
Madhu Sudhan Reddy |
Ordination |
2015 |
29 |
Thumma Ranjith Kumar Reddy |
Ordination |
2015 |
30 |
+ Gratian McEvoy Wilson Paul Nattalil Stephen Lamin Gashnga + Kuriyan Joseph |
Home Ordination Ordination Home |
1992 2003 2012 2015 |
31 |
Sleeva Reddy |
Birth |
1968 |