In 1291, the city of St. Jean d’Acre — the last remaining Crusader stronghold — fell into Muslim hands. The Franciscans of the Holy Land found refuge in Cyprus, yet they returned to the area less than four decades later. Since 1333, Franciscan friars have served as custodians of the region’s holy places. Today, the friars ministering in the Holy Land are in: Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt and the islands of Cyprus and Rhodes. There are more than 300 friars in these lands, working in collaboration with 100 sisters from various congregations. The Franciscans serve the principal shrines of the Christian faith, among them the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, the Nativity in Bethlehem and the Annunciation in Nazareth. The work of the friars includes support of schools and missions in the Holy Land, as well as caring for refugees and other marginalized people throughout the region.
Date |
Name of the Friars |
Events |
Year |
01 |
Anthony Alex Martis |
Birth |
1976 |
02 |
Pratap Reddy Salibindla Henry Jose |
Birth Birth |
1960 1992 |
03 |
+ Thomas the Apostle – Patron of the Province Amaladass Manickam Atma Jyothi, Mysore Abhishek M. |
Feast
Solemn Vows Blessing Birth |
1982 1987 1995 |
04 |
Praveen Henry D’Souza |
Ordination |
2007 |
05 |
Martin Sangma |
Birth |
1992 |
06 |
Jugal Kishore Lakra |
Birth |
1976 |
07 |
+ Michael Haliday Baikim Chandra Minj Stephen Lamin Gashnga |
Home Birth Birth |
1976 1982 1983 |
08 |
Dominic C.J. + Bede Worham |
Birth Home |
1959 1991 |
09 |
Mukti Prakash Ekka Arun Junes |
Solemn Vows Ordination |
2000 2006 |
12 |
Anto Leo |
Birth |
1988 |
13 |
Sidney J.M. Arvind Kerketta |
Birth Birth |
1941 1970 |
14 |
Michael Anand Simon A. Deepak Xalxo Avinash Toppo |
Birth Birth Birth Birth |
1977 1981 1992 1996 |
15 |
+ Bonaventure |
Feast |
|
20 |
+ Blaise Lobo |
Home |
1997 |
21 |
Lawrence of Brindisi James N. |
Feast Birth |
1966 |
22 |
+ Leonard Fernandes |
Home |
1980 |
27 |
+ Cornelius D’ Souza Phyrnai Lyngdoh |
Home Birth |
2009 1983 |
28 |
+ Alphonsa |
Feast |
|
30 |
Trevor D’ Souza |
Entry |
1985 |
31 |
Joseph Prasanna Kumar |
Birth |
1985 |