1. Brother Samson, could you tell us something about yourself, your family?
(Br. Samson hails from Madakondapalli near Hosur, Tamil Nadu)
We are seven children. Elder to me are three sisters and one brother and younger to me are one brother and one sister. My father was a catechist in the Parish and my mother also was very much devoted to the Church. Since my father was a catechist, I used to be most of the time in the church. Though my brothers stopped studying I continued. As a young boy I thought my place is in the church, and not in the house. After I completed my SSLC I stayed at home for three years helping my father both in the church and with farming. Since I was at home helping my father, my brother was not bothered to do anything in the farm. I thought then that this is the right time to move away from home and I therefore approached the Parish Priest for his advice. He told me to meet Friar Lawrence Kochukunnel OFM who used to come to give recollections to the FSM sisters.
2. Could you share about your initial story of your vocation?
Fr. Lawrence invited me to the Bangalore friary for a week to discern whether I would like to pursue this way of life or not. He was the Guardian of Banglore Friary at that time. After a week of stay there, I decided to join the friars. I went back home and took my luggage and landed in Palamaner. Friar Blaise was the rector of the juniorate at that time. He was such a good and kind hearted person who was always with us. He used to guide us and be with us always. Whenever I went for my home holidays, I used to visit the Bangalore friary. I would spend just a week at home and then go to Bangalore. Friar Lawrence used to ask me to help out at the parlour. I gladly did this for three years. Then I entered the novitiate on 26th June 1980. Friar Fabian was our novice master. He was a simple friar with a lot of warmth and love for the poor and the novices. After my novitiate we were sent to Chennai for a separate formation of lay-brothers. It lasted for one year but by then the Minister General told the province not to have any separate formation for the lay brothers. So I was sent to Siruguppa in Bellary.
3. What are the memories of your formation days?
The system of formation and the way our rector dealt with us was very good. He used to be with us always. He used to give us conferences every Sunday and tell us what we were to do and how exactly we were to do it. He hid nothing from us. Friar Blaise was quite free with us. He would not get angry and never hesitated to tell us what we needed to do as brothers. He would even tell us: if you find this life good for you, continue otherwise go home, the door is open for you. But he would often say: if you decide to go, go alone; do not take any other brother with you. Since you came alone, go back alone. When I went to the novitiate, Friar Fabian was the Novice Master and the Guardian. For any programme in the house, we used to consult the Guardian. Since as juniors, our relationship with Fr. Fabian was already good, we found it easier to relate to him. In the beginning of our novitiate, we were thirteen of us, but at the end of the novitiate we were nine. My companions at present in the Order are friars Tommy T.J., Rohwin Pais, Carlos Dias and Dominic C.J. .
4. What were your various responsibilities after your solemn profession?
On 13th March, 1985, Tommy T J and I made our solemn profession. This was the day after the erection of our province on 12th March 1985, when friar Fidelis D’lima was elected as the first Provincial. I remained in Bangalore for six months to almost one year. Then I was sent to Mysore as the vicar to Friar Richard D’silva. Mysore was the new theology house of formation for brothers. I served there for three years. Then I was asked to go to the ITI in Madhavaram. I assisted the friars in Madhavaram and served as the in charge of the boarding from 1989 to 1995. Then I was asked to go to Nanesera in the North (custody). After one year of being in the North, I was asked to come to the Bellary Ashram. And when Brother Angelo suddenly passed away in 2001, I was asked to go to Chennai as the Guardian for the rest of that term. Then I remained there until I was told to go to Bangalore as the vicar when Friar Fidelis was the Guardian. Then Friar Gabriel became the Guardian. I was there for six years as the vicar. Then I went to Nesavanam where I remained for five years. From there I came to Palamaner in 2017. I am happy being here serving the brotherhood. Wherever I went, I thought my priority was to help support the running of the house to the best of my capacity. It is because of this that the friars could rely on me.
5. What were your dreams and have they been fulfilled?
My dream was to live my life in service of the Church and the Order. And the Lord gave me this beautiful vocation of a lay-brother to realize that dream. I am very much grateful to God for this vocation which has been so fulfilling.
6. Who were your role models for Franciscan life?
All the friars especially my juniorate Rector Fr. Blaise Lobo and my novice master Fr. Fabian D’Souza. I also liked two Dutch friars Ligoury Mimpen and Oswald Dijsektra for their loving disposition in their relationship to me.
7. What are the things that keep you going in the Franciscan Life?
The first and foremost thing that keeps me going is prayer. As much as it is possible for me, I am faithful to my daily prayers. It is only after that, that I take up my responsibilities and do them with my full heart and attention. I love to serve the community. I keep working and it gives me a lot of energy.
8. Did you have any challenges in your life?
Yes, I did. I had to struggle with a particular friar. But I had to humble myself a lot to deal with that friar. I often kept silence. I think my silence helped me.
9. What are your suggestions for younger generation?
The young friars should be open to the needs of the Order and to that of the world. St. Francis’ life was a life of the Gospel; a life open to God and to the poor. Young people should know as to why they have entered into the Order; it should not be for fulfilling their own plans and dreams. The world might be tempting but we must be simple in our life-style. Since, we want to live the Gospel. In Those days, we only had bicycles, no motorized bikes, yet a bicycle was a big thing for us. But now we have all kinds of vehicles, but we must know for what purpose we have these vehicles. They are not for our own use but for our mission. There is one more thing I would like to tell the younger generation: please do not fall into any kind of regionalism or create divisions in the community or order.
10. What do you admire and appreciate about Franciscan life?
We are basically brothers and that’s what I appreciate about our Franciscan life. I did not feel any sort of discrimination while living in the brotherhood as a friar. Both of us, Friar Tommy TJ and I were happy to serve the community as lay brothers.
11. The life that you are living is considered almost a second life after your sickness, how do you find yourself now?
It is surely a second life for me. This makes me more responsible toward God in the discharge of my duties. Though the sickness I had some time back, really jolted me, I must say, it increased my fidelity to God and to my Franciscan way of life. (When he had said this, Br. Samson sobbed)
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 |
