Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore

Mangalore, Oct 28: On the occasion of platinum jubilee of St Anne’s Friary, Bejai, here,  the capuchin Friars of the place hosted a get together of the members of the Secular Franciscan order of the Mangalore region, in the Friary premises on Thursday October 27.

The provincial of the Capuchins in Karnataka Fr Vincent G Furtado was present for this occasion. The programme began with Eucharistic celebration which was officiated by Fr Vincent G Furtado and concelebrated by many priests. Fr Roshan Menezes delivered the homily.

The Eucharistic celebration was followed by cultural programme represented by various regions of SFO. It was organized under the leadership of Walter Mascarenhas.

Harold D’Souza compered the entire function. 600 members of the SFO took part in this gathering.

The Franciscan family is one of the spiritual families in the Catholic Church. St Francis of Assisi (1182-1226) is the founder Saint, started three orders for men religious, women religious and  laity. The Secular Franciscan Order (SFO) is for the laity started in the year 1221.

The SFO in Mangalore Diocese was first established in Bejai parish in the year 1927. In the year 1950 late Fr Cyril Andrade capuchin, took initiative to organize all the fraternities. At present there are 11 regions in Karnataka with 110 active fraternities. In Mangalore Diocese there are seven regions with 70 fraternities.

St Anne’s Friary celebrates its 75 years of its presence in Mangalore Diocese. On this occasion various activities are carried out through out the jubilee year in the Friary.  Lately it was witnessed ‘Franciscan get together’ of religious men and women on the occasion of the feast of St Francis of Assisi. Fr Peter Cyprian D’Souza Capuchin, is the Superior of the Friary and Definitor in charge of SFO in Karnataka region.