News: Edgar Cardoza
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Mar 12: A new residential minor seminary of the Franciscan Order is all set for inauguration inaugurated by Br Joseph Dolphy Pais, OFM Cap Provisional Minister, Holy Trinity Province, Karnataka on March 14 at 3.30 pm at Kattingeri, Moodubelle, here. The inauguration will be blessed by bishop of the diocese Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo.
The Franciscan brothers have been serving and dwelling in the Moodubelle region for the past 6 years. They lived in an old closed hospital building given to them by the Mudhartha Trust Building for a lease agreement of 10 years. They did not have proper facilities to carry on their mission. Hence with the contributions from generous people of Moodubelle a new minor seminary has been built. One acre land was donated by Herald Martis and his family for this purpose.
The laying of the foundation stone for the Capuchin Friary ‘Assisi Nilaya-St Padre Pio prayer House’ was held at Kattingeri, Moodubelle, on July 25, 2014. Fr Dolphy Pais, the Capuchin provincial of the Holy Trinity province, Karnataka conducted the prayer service and blessed the foundation stone.
At present there are 27 students and 4 priests to guide them. Fr Victor Fernandes, assistant parish priest of Moodubelle parish, also the superior of this house says, “I am very grateful to the parishioners of Moodubelle for their constant support right from the beginning.”
The arrival of the Capuchins in India dates back to the year 1632 when a band of foreign Capuchin missionaries landed in Pondicherry. They then further moved to North India and initiated their missionary work at Tibet and Nepal. They underwent lots of hardships but were successful in bringing out the word of God through their preaching and services. The absence of a strong, vibrant and populous Christian community in North India and the extreme weather conditions of the place called for a transfer of the novitiate from North to a more favorable location to the South. The Province of Paris was called upon to undertake this venture. The Capuchins were offered a little hill at Farangipet, called Monte Mariano, at the diocese of Mangaluru and hence the decision to shift the novitiate was carried out in May 1930. Monte Mariano therefore can well be called the second cradle of the Capuchins in India. From then on there was no looking back. The Franciscan missionaries can be seen serving at educational institutions, hospitals, counseling centres, conducting retreats and other social services. They have created a great impact in print media. Since many years Assisi press has become the talk of the town for their printing service with the motto 'Printing with Care'. It serves many institutions and individuals for their printing needs. A new branch of Assisi Press was inaugurated last year on December 14, 2015
At the Udupi diocese as well, The Franciscan brothers are serving in Brahmavar and Perampalli parishes.
Fr Victor Fernandes and his team have extended a warm welcome to all faithful and near and dear ones to be part of this joyful moment by gracing the occasion.