The General Chapter was a wonderful experience for me and I enjoyed every bit of my stay during these two weeks. We were 118 Capitulars and about 15 friars as officials and helpers. There were 2 friar Medical Doctors to attend to the friars 24/7.
Quarantine:
I had to travel to Rome accordingly so as to complete 10 days of quarantine. While there was everything ready for quarantine in Collegio San Lorenzo, I was taken to a hotel for quarantine, taken care by the state for free. This was a unique experience. I was confined to the room! Balcony was the only door way to outside world that included the glorious Dome of St. Peters at Vatican. Brother Arokiam John was a great blessing for me. He brought me the great succour in terms of providing me the Mass Kit so I could celebrate the Mass in the room. He brought me also fruits and nuts to eat and of course the “gelato” (Italian Icecream). We were conversing with each other, he from the ground floor and me from the second floor of the hotel! It was all free wireless!
Arrival for Chapter:
In the evening on 3rd July 2021, I was allowed to leave the hotel after I completed the RT-PCR test report. As I reached the venue, I was taken for Antigen Test immediately despite having test results. This was the SOP for all those who arrived including of those who arrived from the Curia. The friar doctors did a wonderful job to help us calm down and take the test and wait for the results patiently, hoping against all hopes, that it would always be negative. I joined for the evening plenary session at once where I was welcomed by the General secretary.
The Chapter:
The Chapter itself lasted for 2 weeks. The participants were provided with the electronic tablets to facilitate all the reports and communications. These tablets would be collected at the end and sent to Africa for mission. The first week saw the presentation of the reports of the Minister General, the different Secretariats and the General Economo. The Minister General presented the report in 3 different hours, and after every hour there was a buzz session in which the participants would form a group of 3 or 4 and discuss among themselves on the report and then come up with some questions and clarifications. The Minister General took up all these questions and clarified the necessary aspects. It was the same with the other reports, too.
The Special Speakers:
On 4th July, Sunday, Archbishop Accrocca who is specialized in Franciscanism delivered a talk on the theme based on the Franciscan sources. He was both a great learner and speaker. We also had Cardinal Tagle to give us the inside views of the Church and the challenges for Franciscans today. In his very unique style of communication, Cardinal Tagle touched the hearts of all.
The Election of the New General and team:
The election of the new General Team was another great experience for us participants. The friars were asked to discuss the names of friars who could be elected to these offices in the respective conferences. After the 2 straw ballots, the final election took place in the presence of the Cardinal, the delegate appointed by the Pope. Soon after the election, we all went to the chapel where the ceremony of oath taking for the Minister General took place. This was certainly a very exciting moment as we could see several friars with their mobile phones trying to take pictures of this event. The election of the Vicar and the Definitors was followed in a similar fashion. Five were elected in absentia and of the Eight Definitors, only one is a provincial.
The Special Dinners and Outings:
There were three special dinners organized to celebrate the different moments of the Chapter. The first was in the Chapter venue itself. The second was after the vespers celebrated in Basilica of St. John Lateran. The third was hosted by ‘Hotel Cantico’. In fact, because of the Covid restrictions, these are the only 2 outings we all enjoyed.
Final Goodbyes:
Two weeks of stay together was a great time to catch up with all our brothers from all over the world. It was a time to share, if not in detail, in short, the life of provinces. I could meet individually some provincials and present them the life of our friars in India. I even invited the whole assembly to visit India and Asia for greater experience of the life of friars and the people. I honored the outgoing Minister General with a shawl and so also the new Minister General. Before leaving Rome, I managed to get some time from the Minister General for a personal meeting and also with brother Michael Perry, the outgoing Minister General and the newly elected Definitor for Asia-Oceania, brother John Wong. They all have greeted our friars and have thanked in turn for all the services rendered by us as I had explained to them during the meeting. We shall look forward to the visits of the newly elected leaders as and when the situation gets better.
Short pilgrimage to Portiuncula and La Verna:
I was fortunate to go to Portiuncula soon after the Chapter. Brother Andrea the Secretary of the Umbria Province took me by his car. I had to deposit my luggage with our brother Arokiam John at Antonianum before I left. That evening in Portuincula, we had the special vespers celebrated by the new Minister General and the Vicar. We were warmly welcomed and treated fraternally by the Guardian and the Custos of Portiuncula and also by the Provincial. The community offered a special supper followed by cake cutting. The provincial then offered us ‘gelato’ in his office. The next day morning, we went up to the Basilica and offered mass at the tomb of St. Francis which was a special grace for us. The Conventual friars were very happy to welcome the new Minister General and Vicar.
Soon after the mass, I left for La Verna. Brother Andrea was kind enough to drive me till the community. This was my first visit and most dreamed of. The 2 days of my stay was a very special blessing indeed. The whole atmosphere there thrilled me and brought wonderful memories of our father Francis and all his companions and hundreds of friars who lived here. The community was so welcoming. I took the chance to meet the novices together with their master and talked to them about our friars in India. They also had many questions about the Chapter and our life in India. It was certainly an enriching experience.
Final journey home:
The stay in Rome won’t be complete whiteout a visit to the Church of Maria Maggiore and also St. John Lateran. But I could not make it to Vatican. What is most missing throughout is the visit to Pope. My dream to meet him hasn’t come true still and missed a few occasions already. The final requirement to travel back was RT-PCR test and when I landed in Bangalore, I had to go for another RT-PCR test. Both the tests were to be paid for and they were expensive. I thank God for this great experience and looking forward to live this experience in my life. Thanks to all the brothers who prayed for the Chapter and all those benefactors who provided for us!
Br. Praveen Henry D Souza
Minister Provincial
Date |
Name of the Friars |
Events |
Year |
02 |
Arulsamy A. Mesia Elias Moses M. Arvind Kerketta Benedict Gomes |
Ordination Ordination Ordination Ordination |
1991 1999 2005 2008 |
03 |
Charles Arulanandam Alwyn D’ Souza |
Birth Ordination |
1978 2006 |
04 |
Davis Kallookaran Tommy T.J. Arockiasamy P. Thomas Manakuzhiyil Saji P. Mathew Arun Devasia Nattalil Roshan Lobo Francis Michael Velcy Barreto |
Birth Birth Ordination Ordination Ordination Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Birth |
1950 1959 2002 2004 2004 2017 2017 1992 |
05 |
Mathew Koottumkal Jesu Maharajah G. Peter Saleth Nathan J. Andrew Thomas |
Ordination Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Birth |
1999 2010 2010 1997 |
06 |
Jayaseelan P.R. Fulgence Ekka Thaddeus Baxla + Leopold Vaz Xavier Durairaj Manoj Xalxo Baikim Chadra Minj |
Birth Ordination Ordination Home Ordination Ordination Ordination |
1970 1997 1997 2000 2009 2012 2012 |
07 |
Vincent Soosai Salim Baxla Augustine Tirkey A.J.Mathew Joseph Bipin Kishore Kandulna Ushar Kachhua |
Ordination Ordination Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows |
1999 2011 2017 2017 2017 2017 |
08 |
Julius Arul Rayan Robin Lakra Ajith Kerketta Shanborlang Wartde |
Ordination Ordination Ordination Solemn Vows |
2004 2007 2011 2017 |
09 |
Joy K.D. Fabianus Toppo Deen Dayal |
Birth Ordination Birth |
1970 2008 1983 |
10 |
+ Clement Griffith Alwyn D’ Souza Lourdu Augustine Hemant Xess |
Home Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Ordination |
1950 2001 2001 2006 |
11 |
Gabriel Mathias Joseph Raj M. Baptist D’ Souza Praveen Henry D’ Souza Salim Baxla Ajit Kerketta Anil Xalxo Anil Xalxo |
Ordination Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Ordination |
1974 2003 2003 2003 2008 2008 2008 2011 |
12 |
Ignatius Baa Fulgence Ekka Jose Palimattom + Baptist van de Sande Vilas Baptist Correia Salvador D’Souza |
Birth Solemn Vows Ordination Home Solemn Vows Solemn Vows |
1970 1994 1999 2001 2007 2007 |
13 |
Shaju Paliyathil Jesu Maharajah G. |
Birth Ordination |
1967 2012 |
14 |
Kulandaisamy M. Felix Vijay M. Nijil Chiramel Leos Ekka Malom-Noatoli – Church Simon A. |
Birth Birth Birth Ordination Blessing Ordination |
1958 1983 1986 1994 2006 2011 |
15 |
Alwyn D’ Souza Mukti Prakash Ekka Fabianus Toppo Baptist D’Souza Santosh Ekka |
Birth Ordination Solemn Vows Ordination Ordination |
1975 2004 2005 2007 2010 |
16 |
Simon Pinto + Paul Ryan + Egbert Barnes Jerome Kispotta Prasad Papabathuni Joy K.D. Naveen George + Bala Sundar Raj Peter Shashikanth Reddy G. |
Birth Home Home Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Ordination Home Birth |
1952 1958 1985 1994 1995 1995 2011 2011 1996 |
17 |
Balthazar Pinto Anthony Pushparaj Arokiam John Charles Arulanandam |
Ordination Ordination Ordination Ordination |
1990 2007 2007 2007 |
18 |
Bryan Carneiro Arvind Kerketta |
Birth Solemn Vows |
1969 2003 |
19 |
Shaji Nicholas Vadachery Jugal Kishore Lakra |
Ordination Solemn Vows |
1999 2002 |
20 |
+ Thomas Province - INDIA Bernardine of Siena Matthew Koottumkal Jayaseelan P.R. Jamesmon P.C. Thomas A. Joy Valooran Sushil Beck Joy (George) Sebastian Xavier Durairaj Santosh Ekka John Sekar Alangara Boniface |
Foundation Feast Birth Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Ordination Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Birth |
1948
1977 1998 1998 1998 1998 1999 2001 2007 2007 2007 2007 1989 |
21
|
Thaddeus Baxla Ajit Kumar Dung Dung Lalith Kujur |
Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Ordination |
1995 2006 2012 |
22 |
Guwahati Mission Sandesh Manuel Balaswamy Gundiga Benedict Gomes Vijay kAmirtharaj A. |
Foundation Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows |
1996 2004 2005 2005 2005 |
23 |
Anthony Alex Martis |
Solemn Vows |
2004 |
24 |
Dedication of the Basilica of St. Francis Pradeep Kalliath |
Feast
Solemn Vows |
2004 |
25 |
Jose Palimattom Sleeva Reddy Vincent Soosai Matthew Koottumkal Johnson M.V. Shaji Nicholas Vadachery Joy Valooran Tojy Mandapathil Mesia Elias Moses M. Anthony Roobandass A. Arokiam John Charles Arulanandam |
Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows |
1990 1990 1990 1990 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 2004 2004 2004 |
27 |
Basil Lobo Varghese Lakra |
Solemn Vows Solemn Vows |
2001 2007 |
28 |
Jerome Kispotta Fulgence Ekka Cajetan Lourenco Francis Agnelo Rozario Sagaya Soosairaj Singarayar A. Prasad Papabathuni Thaddeus Baxla Joy K.D. Assisi Bhavan, Chippilithode Phyrnai Lyngdoh Madhu Sudhan Reddy Deen Dayal Nathaniel vTirkey Jesu Raja A. Johnvinzen Lyngdoh Teiborlang Wartde Rajasekhar Reddy Gopu |
Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Blessing Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows |
1988 1988 1988 1988 1988 1988 1988 1989 1989 2006 2014 2014 2014 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 |
29 |
Varghese Sebastian Scaria Varanath Thomas M.M. Dayanand Bala Marneni Paul Kallan John Chrysostom Regi Matthew |
Entry Entry Entry Entry Ordination Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows |
1970 1970 1970 1970 1990 1993 1993 2003 |
30 |
Gregory Fernandes Fidelis D’ Lima Augustine Pinto Sidney J.M. Nicholas D’ Souza James Kallarackan Charles Mathew Kolanchery Joy Prakash Gabriel Mathias Amaladass Manickam Jayaseelan P.R. Jamesmon P.C. Thomas A. Tom John Arockiasamy P. Cajetan Lourenco Francis Agnelo Rozario Sagaya Soosairaj Singarayar A. Irudayaraj Fernando Austin Francis Mukti Prakash Ekka Francis Xavier Wilson Paul Nattalil Basil S. Lobo Thomas M.J. Julius Arul Rayan Alwyn D’Souza Sushil Beck Saji P. Mathew Lourdu Augustine Shaju Paliyathil Bryan Carneiro Ignatius Baa Regi Matthew Bhaskar Reddy Tomy Palackal Benjamin Jojo Joseph Raj M. Baptist D’ Souza Anthony Alex Martis Jugal Kishore Lakra Anthony Pushparaj Praveen Henry D’ Souza Michael Anand Kulandaisamy M. Arvind Kerketta Hemant Xess Pradeep Kalliath Anthony Roobandass Arun Junes A. Balaswamy Gundiga Robin Lakra Arokiam John Charles Arulanandam Sandesh Manuel Benedict Gomes Vijay Amirtharaj A. Salim Baxla Ajit Kumar Dung Dung Francis Xavier Thomas M.J. Saji P. Mathew Joy (George) Sebastian Xavier Durairaj Varghese Lakra Santosh Ekka Salvador D’Souza John Sekar Ajit Kerketta Anil Xalxo Simon A. Naveen George Lalith Kujur Tony Marshall Vijay Minj Manoj Xalxo Baikim Chandra Minj Prashanth Wilson Fernandes Jesu Maharaja G. Peter Saleth Nathan J. Prem Kumar D’ Souza Stephen Lamin Gashnga Jayapal Dwarakonda Joseph Stephen Vinoth Robin Sahaya Dhas J. Praveen Roshan Toppo Felix Vijay Eugene A. Jeddu Praveen Chinna Reddy Nijil Chiramel Joseph Prasanna Kumar Pasala Showri Raju Christopher Phyrnai Lyngdoh Basil Tirkey Vinod Kujur Madhu Sudan Reddy Francis Arokiasamy M. Thumma Ranjith Kumar Reddy Deen Dayal Prashanth Wilson Fernandes Nathaniel Tirkey + Valerian Quadros Jesu Raja A. Johnvinzen Lyngdoh Teiborlang Wartde Shanborlang Wartde Rajasekhar Reddy Gopu Augustine Tirkey A.J.Mathew Joseph Bipin Kishore Kandulna Arun Devasia Nattalil Roshan Lobo Ushar Kachhua Salvador Drego Anand Suresh Minj Emmanuel Christopher N. Anto Leo Martin Sangma Clinton J. Nideesh M. John Albinus Ekka Prasad Rao Kasu Eliyas Reddy Stephen Arun Thomas Kiren Vineet Kerketta Silash Panna Nicolas Marak Adarsh Y. Deepak Kumar Rajesh Praveen Kumar Avinash Kujur Alphone Velankanni Abhishek M. Anmol Bara Akshay Showry Raj Ejekial Lakra Francis Michael Velcy Barretto Henry Jose Ibrahim G Momin Joseph Raj Kalyan Kurmar Manish Ekka Marius Dahanga Nichol John Ravi Bara Salun Kispotta Sujit Ganji Alangara Boniface Anthony Joseph archer Pradeep Anthony L. Jacob Tani Gali Bal Reddy T.S Leo Max Joseph Kishan Niranjan Toppo Peter Shashikanth Reddy G. Ankit Kumar Baghel Niraj Kumar Tirkey Nelson Toppo Avinash Toppo Andrew Thomas Justin Savio A. Felix A. |
Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Solemn Vows Entry Home Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry Entry |
1956 1958 1961 1961 1966 1968 1968 1968 1968 1978 1992 1992 1992 1993 1993 1994 1994 1994 1994 1994 1994 1994 1995 1995 1995 1995 1995 1995 1995 1995 1995 1996 1996 1996 1996 1996 1996 1996 1996 1996 1996 1996 1996 1996 1996 1997 1997 1997 1997 1997 1997 1997 1997 1998 1998 1998 1998 1999 1999 2000 2001 2001 2001 2001 2001 2001 2001 2001 2001 2002 2002 2002 2002 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2004 2004 2004 2004 2005 2005 2005 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2008 2009 2009 2009 2010 2010 2010 2010 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2012 2012 2012 2013 2013 2013 2013 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 |
31 |
Gregory Fernandes Fidelis D’Lima Agnel D’Mello Augustine Pinto Sidney J.M Salim Joseph Nicholas D’Souza James Kallarackan Charles Mathew Kolanchery Joy Prakash Gabriel Mathias Varghese Sebastian Scaria Varanath Thomas M.M. Dayanand Alphonse Moras Gerald Lobo Simon Pinto Paul K.L. Davis Kallookaran Lawrence Simon Arok Sundar Sebastian Dharma L. Bernard Johnson M.V. Shaji Nicholas Vadachery Joy Valooran Mesia Elias Moses M. Irudayaraj Fernando Austin Francis Anthony Pushparaj Simon A. Naveen George Tony Marshall Lalith Kujur Manoj Xalxo Baikim Chandra Minj Vijay Minj |
Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Birth 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 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 Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows |
1960 1962 1965 1965 1965 1965 1970 1972 1972 1972 1972 1974 1974 1974 1975 1976 1976 1976 1976 1977 1977 1977 1978 1997 1997 1997 1997 2000 2000 2003 2008 2008 2008 2009 2009 2009 2009 |
