By Br. Maria Nithin, OFM
Alongside Br. Kishore Joseph, I recently visited the Open-Air Prison in Devanahalli, Bengaluru—a quiet witness to the power of restorative justice and human dignity. Unlike traditional prisons with high walls and locked cells, this space breathes trust, responsibility, and the gentle hope of transformation. It is currently the only such prison in Karnataka, though similar centers are envisioned elsewhere in the state. Reserved for long-term convicts who have shown genuine change, this unique prison allows inmates to live and work in freedom within the compound. They are trained in agriculture, animal husbandry, electrical work, and other life-giving skills—simple, honest labors that echo the spirit of Francis, who found God in the work of his hands and the soil beneath his feet. Those who complete their sentences may even receive start-up support to begin anew. Our conversations with inmates were conducted with care and dignity—avoiding personal wounds yet sensing the deep undercurrent of hope and silent resilience. This visit was a call to remember that rehabilitation is not merely a policy—it is a Gospel path. As Franciscans, we believe that mercy transforms and that every person, no matter how broken, carries within a spark of goodness waiting to be rekindled. When correction is guided by compassion, prisons can become places of healing, reconciliation, and renewal. May such initiatives multiply, and may our hearts always remain open to be instruments of peace, healing, and brotherhood among all, especially the forgotten.
|
Date |
Name of the Friars |
Events |
Year |
|
01 |
Charles Mathew Kolanchery |
Birth |
1947 |
|
02 |
Joseph Raj M. |
Birth |
1975 |
| 03 | Bl. Helene Enselmini, OSC | 1242 |
|
|
04 |
St. Charles Borromeo, OFS Bl. Teresa Manganiello, OFS Charles Bernard |
Birth |
1584 1876 1963 |
|
05 |
Lawrence Simon Bala Marneni + Thomas Thannikary + Bernard D’ Silva |
Birth Birth Home Home |
1949 1962 1996 2010 |
|
06 |
Bl. Marguerite deLorraine, OSC Singarayar A. Salvador D’Souza |
Birth Birth |
1521 1970 1979 |
|
07 |
St. Didacus of Alcala, OFM Bl. Raynier of Arezzo, OFM Hemant Xess |
Birth |
1463 304 1975 |
| 08 | Bl. John Duns Scouts OFM | 1308; |
|
|
09 |
Bl. Gabriel Ferreti, OFM Saji P. Mathew |
Birth |
1456 1975 |
|
10 |
Bl. Louis Guanella, OFS Augustine Pinto + Wilbert Smit |
Birth Home |
1340 1936 2003 |
|
11 |
Bl. Mary Crucifixa, OFS Fulgence Ekka Basil S. Lobo |
Birth Birth |
1826 1964 1971 |
| 12 | Bl. Giovanni della Pace, OFS | 1433 |
|
| 13 | St. Didace d’ Alcala, OFM | 1463 |
|
|
14 |
Franciscan Martyrs of Palestine + Mark O’Rourke Salvador Drego |
Home Birth |
1391 1974 1984 |
|
15 |
Bl. Sebastian de Jesus OFM Bl. Mary of the Passion FMM + Anthony Almeida |
Memoria Home |
1734 1904 1970 |
|
17 |
St. Elizabeth of Hungary Patroness of the OFS Bl. Jeanne de Signa, OFS |
|
1231 1307 |
|
18 |
Bl. Salome of Cracow, OFS |
|
1268 |
|
19 |
St. Agnes of Assisi, OSC Bl. Maria Milagros, OSC Thomas Joseph +Kamal Ekka |
Birth Home |
1253 1936 1962 2008 |
|
20 |
Franciscan Martyrs of Spain Irudayaraj Fernando + Bonaventure Davis + Bishop Ambrose Y +Jesu Irudayam |
Birth Home Home Home |
1936 1966 1971 1997 2009 |
|
22 |
Franciscan Martyrs of Armenia +Joachim Tinneny |
|
1895 2009 |
|
23 |
Bl. Marie de Jesus, Third Order Regular + John C. O’Dowda Maria Ratheesh Jenive |
Home Birth |
1902 1982 1999 |
|
24 |
Bl. Timothy Trajonowski, Conv Rajesh Praveen Kumar |
Birth |
1942 1994 |
|
25 |
All Deceased of the Seraphic Order St. Humilis of Bisgnano, OFM Bl. Elizabeth of Reute, Third Order Regular Carlos Dias Tojy M. |
Birth Birth |
1637 1420 1959 1970 |
|
26 |
St. Leonard of Port Maurice, OFM Balthazar Pinto |
Feast Birth |
1751 1960 |
|
27 |
St. Francis Anthony Fasani, Conv Johnson M. V. |
Feast Birth |
1742 1969 |
| 28 | St. Jams of La Marca, OFM | Feast | 1476 |
|
29 |
All Saints of the Seraphic Order Dependent Custody Foundation,North East. Amaladass Manickam |
Feast Erection Ordination |
2008 1985 |
|
30 |
Bl. Antoine Bonfandini, OFM Prasad Papabathuni |
Birth |
1482 1970 |
