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 |
Wilson Paul Nattalil Hemant Xess Robin Lakra |
Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows |
2001 2004 2004 |
02 |
Tomy Palackal Vijay Minj Julius Arul Rayan Gali Bal Reddy |
Birth Birth Solemn Vows Birth |
1974 1979 2001 1996 |
03 |
Ignatius Baa Benjamin Jojo |
Solemn Vows Solemn Vows |
2002 2002 |
04 |
Thomas A. Vinod Kujur |
Birth Birth |
1972 1985 |
05 |
St.Gonsalo Garcia |
Saint |
|
06 |
Sahaya Dhas J. Madhu Sudhan Reddy Sleeva Reddy Prem Kumar D’ Souza Stephen Lamin Gashnga Jayapal Dwarakonda Joseph Stephen Sahaya Dhas J. Vinod Robin Felix Vijay Eugene A. Praveen Roshan Toppo Jeddu Praveen Chinna Reddy Nijil Chiramel Joseph Prasanna Kumar Pasala Showri Raju |
Birth Birth Ordination Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows |
1980 1986 2002 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012 |
09 |
Nijil Chiramel |
Ordination |
2015 |
10 |
+ David Jackson |
Home |
1972 |
12 |
Francis Xavier |
Birth |
1970 |
14 |
Alphonse |
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 |
Assisi Vanam, Peravoor |
Blessing |
2009 |
20 |
Regi Matthew |
Birth |
1973 |
22 |
Lalith Kujur |
Birth |
1978 |
23 |
Xavier Durairaj Vilas Correia |
Birth Birth |
1975 1973 |
26 |
Nanasera Friary |
Blessing |
1996 |
27 |
Wilson Paul Nattalil |
Birth |
1970 |
28 |
Madhavaram Friary Amaladass Manickam |
Foundation Birth |
1953 1954 |
