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The Feast of St. Francis of Assisi

Our mother earth rotates and revolves around the sun. Our lives as friars minor, human beings fully alive, are nourished and pitched on the spirit of our brother Francis of Assisi. This year the festal journey began with contrition and the purification of our inner room through the sacrament of penance. After this, the student friars were introduced to the themes of the novena to our brother Francis. The novena began on 25th of September with the roaring of thunder and heavy breeze from above and melodious chanting and prayerful hymns from below. Every day of the novena was marked with creative works. Some orated their reflections, some enacted them and some others virtualized them. During this festal celebration, though the brothers found themselves under pressure, they generously contributed their time and energy toward creating a video, wishing the whole world, “ALL SHALL BE WELL.” The transitus of our brother was commemorated in the small cathedral of Assisivanam. The brothers made the whole transitus of Francis alive in the form of a tableau. The Transitus service was led by the second years. Towards the end, the leader of the transitus service, br. Charles Bernard concluded his short reflection with what Francis taught us: not just how to live, but, how to die to self. He emphasized that each friar is a backbone to the other.

The festal day was inaugurated with songs of praise to God. The feast day was organised by the third-year brothers with colourful decorations and a meaningful liturgy and the Eucharist. The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by br. Shaji Nicholas. The core message of the homily was to renew our identity as peace makers in all walks of life. Thus, the celebration ended with an invitation to become instruments of peace. As per the festal norms we indeed had a special breakfast. After gaining some energy for the rest of the day, the brothers rushed to the games court for an entertaining fraternal volleyball match. Everybody enjoyed the match. Moreover, the presence of the whole community at the games court added colour and gaiety to our togetherness. Meanwhile, the main chefs of the day br. Madhu and br. Kishor were getting ready to serve us a piping hot Dum-biryani for the noon meal. After the match, the brothers occupied themselves with preparing fruit salad. 

At the ting of the bell the whole community along with a few guests from the Canossian congregation and the local Vicar gathered together to enjoy a delicious fraternal meal. Our guardian, br. Charles Mathew, expressed his deepest gratitude towards all the brothers in the community and greeted everyone, “A happy feast of our holy father Francis.” The sumptuous banquet was rounded off with mouth-water ice-cream. In the evening the community gathered in the chapel for the benediction, praising God for the gift of our Franciscan brotherhood. The supper was served by the guardian, which consisted of beef-noodles. Finally, during the re-creation the well fermented raisin wine, prepared by the guardian was poured for all the brothers. Thus, the feast of our brother Francis was celebrated in our fraternity with the spirit of joy and hope, believing ALL SHALL BE WELL!

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