Secular Franciscan Order Celebrates 90 Years. The Secular Franciscan Order, popularly known as‘Franciscan Thisri
Oddh’completes its 90 years in Mangalore Diocese. The first fraternity of
SFO was canonically erected on 13th February’1927 in St. Francis Xavier
Parish, Bijai. From then it has spread to various parts of Karnataka through
the efforts of the Capuchin Friars. To mark this occasion, around 800
members from all over Mangalore Diocese specially from Belthagandy,
Moodbidri, Bantwal, Bajpe and Mangalore gathered together on 12th March’2017
in Divine Mercy Retreat, St. Anne’s Friary, Mangalore.
The programme of the day started with a traditional devotion of Way of the
Cross followed by a talk by friar Victor Crasta, Capuchin on the theme of
the day ‘ Franciscan Kutmacho Mogaso Sonthos’. During the felicitation
programme a tribute was paid to all the deceased Friars and Members who
served the Order all these 90 years. Rev. Fr. Joseph Dolphy Pais, Provincial
of Holy Trinity Capuchin Province, Karnataka in his Presidential address
congratulated all the members for being faithful to their vocation to be
Franciscans and he also highlighted the speciality of SFO as an Order
recognized by the Church and spread throughout the Church, having a history
of 800 years. Rev. Fr. Peter Cyprian DSouza and Rev. Fr. Paul Melwyn DSouza,
also spoke on the occasion and appreciated the commitment the members have
in their vocation and congratulated them for being gathered together in
large numbers to express their brotherhood and sisterhood. All the former
Spiritual Assistants, present Spiritual Assistants and present Regional
Presidents were honoured. A special attraction was of honouring the eldest
members in the Order namely, Mrs. Juliana Lobo from Derebail who completed
90 years and has been the member of the SFO for nearly 70 years and Mr.
Louis Fernandes from Bellore who also completes 90 years and has served the
Order for more than 60 years. The Festal Eucharist was celebrated by Rt Rev.
Dr. Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop of Mangalore and Rev. Fr. Joseph Dolphy
Pais preached a fitting homily on the occasion. Vicar General Rev.Fr. Denis
Moras Prabhu and Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Wilson DSouza together with many
Capuchin Friars concelebrated the Eucharist. After the Mass, Bishop giving
his message on the occasion, shared his experiences with the SFO members and
was edified by their simple life-style. He also brought to the notice of all
that his parents were the first SFO members in Most Holy Saviour Parish,
Agrar. He also added that he himself was a member of SFO as a seminarian in
St. Joseph Seminary, Jeppu. Till 1970’s it was good to know that all the
Seminarians from St. Joseph’s Diocesan Seminary were the members of SFO,
including Vicar General Rev. Fr. Denis Moras Prabhu and Fr. Wilson D’Souza
the Parish Priest who concelebrated the Holy Eucharist. After the festal
meals there was a variety of programmes from the members. The seminarians
from Dayalbagh Ashram, Ujire also performed a beautiful musical tableau and
gave a fitting climax to the memorable day.
