St. Francis of Assisi
Saint Francis of Assisi (born Giovanni Francesco di Bernardone; 1181 – died: October 3, 1226) He founded men's Franciscan Order, the women’s Order of St. Clare, and the lay Third Order of Saint Francis. Though he was never ordained into the Catholic priesthood, Francis is one of the most venerated religious figures in history.
Francis was the son of a wealthy cloth merchant in Assisi, and he lived the high-spirited life typical of a wealthy young man, even fighting as a soldier for Assisi. While going off to war in 1204, Francis had a vision that directed him back to Assisi, where he lost his taste for his worldly life. On a pilgrimage to Rome, he begged with the beggars at St. Peter's. The experience moved him to live in poverty. Francis returned home, began preaching on the streets, and soon amassed a following. His order was endorsed by Pope Innocent III in 1210. He then founded the Order of Poor Clares, which was an enclosed order for women, as well as the Third Order of Brothers and Sisters of Penance. In 1219, he went to Egypt in an attempt to convert the Sultan. By this point, the Franciscan Order had grown to such an extent that its primitive organizational structure was no longer sufficient. He returned to Italy to organize the order. Once his organization was endorsed by the Pope, he withdrew increasingly from external affairs. In 1223, Francis arranged for the first Christmas manger scene. In 1224, he received the stigmata, making him the first recorded person to bear the wounds of Christ's Passion. He died in 1226 while preaching Psalm 141.
On July 16, 1228, he was pronounced a saint by Pope Gregory IX. He is known as the patron saint of animals, the environment and one of the two patrons of Italy (with Catherine of Siena), and it is customary for churches to hold ceremonies blessing animals on his feast day of 4 October. He is also known for his love of the Eucharist, his sorrow during the Stations of the Cross and for the creation of the Christmas creche or Nativity Scene.
Francis was the son of a wealthy cloth merchant in Assisi, and he lived the high-spirited life typical of a wealthy young man, even fighting as a soldier for Assisi. While going off to war in 1204, Francis had a vision that directed him back to Assisi, where he lost his taste for his worldly life. On a pilgrimage to Rome, he begged with the beggars at St. Peter's. The experience moved him to live in poverty. Francis returned home, began preaching on the streets, and soon amassed a following. His order was endorsed by Pope Innocent III in 1210. He then founded the Order of Poor Clares, which was an enclosed order for women, as well as the Third Order of Brothers and Sisters of Penance. In 1219, he went to Egypt in an attempt to convert the Sultan. By this point, the Franciscan Order had grown to such an extent that its primitive organizational structure was no longer sufficient. He returned to Italy to organize the order. Once his organization was endorsed by the Pope, he withdrew increasingly from external affairs. In 1223, Francis arranged for the first Christmas manger scene. In 1224, he received the stigmata, making him the first recorded person to bear the wounds of Christ's Passion. He died in 1226 while preaching Psalm 141.
On July 16, 1228, he was pronounced a saint by Pope Gregory IX. He is known as the patron saint of animals, the environment and one of the two patrons of Italy (with Catherine of Siena), and it is customary for churches to hold ceremonies blessing animals on his feast day of 4 October. He is also known for his love of the Eucharist, his sorrow during the Stations of the Cross and for the creation of the Christmas creche or Nativity Scene.
St. Clare of Assisi
Clare of Assisi (sometimes spelled Clair, Claire, etc.) (July 16, 1194 – August 11, 1253), born Chiara Offreduccio, was one of the first followers of Saint Francis of Assisi.
Clare was born in Assisi, Italy, as the eldest daughter of Favorino Scifi, Count of Sasso-Rosso and his wife Ortolana. Ortolana was a very devout woman who had undertaken pilgrimages to Rome, Santiago de Compostela and the Holy Land. Later on in her life, Ortolana entered Clare's monastery, together with Agnes, Clare's sister.
Clare and her sister Agnes soon moved to the church of San Damiano, which Francis himself had rebuilt. Other women joined them there, and San Damiano became known for its radically austere lifestyle. The women were at first known as the "Poor Ladies". She founded the Order of Poor Ladies, a monastic religious order for women in the Franciscan tradition, and wrote their Rule of Life—the first monastic rule known to have been written by a woman.
San Damiano became the focal point for Clare's new religious order, which was known in her lifetime as the "Order of San Damiano". San Damiano emerged as the most important house in the order, and Clare became its undisputed leader. By 1263, just ten years after Clare's death, the order had become known as the Order of Saint Clare.
For a short period of time the order was directed by Francis himself. Then in 1216, Clare accepted the role of abbess of San Damiano. As abbess, Clare had more authority to lead the order than when she was the prioress, who had to follow the orders of a priest heading the community. Clare defended her order from the attempts of prelates to impose a rule on them that more closely resembled the Rule of Saint Benedict than Francis' stricter vows. Clare sought to imitate Francis' virtues and way of life so much so that she was sometimes titled alter Franciscus, another Francis. She also played a significant role in encouraging and aiding Francis, whom she saw as a spiritual father figure, and she took care of him during his illnesses at the end of his life, until his death in 1226.
On August 9, 1253, the papal bull Solet annuere of Pope Innocent IV confirmed that Clare's rule would serve as the governing rule for Clare's Order of Poor Ladies. Two days later, on August 11, Clare died at the age of 59. Her remains were interred at the chapel of San Giorgio while a church to hold her remains was being constructed.
On August 15, 1255, Pope Alexander IV canonized Clare as Saint Clare of Assisi. Construction of the Basilica of Saint Clare was completed in 1260, and on October 3 of that year Clare's remains were transferred to the newly completed basilica where they were buried beneath the high altar. In further recognition of the saint, Pope Urban IV officially changed the name of the Order of Poor Ladies to the Order of Saint Clare in 1263.
Some 600 years later in 1872, Saint Clare's remains were transferred to a newly constructed shrine in the crypt of the Basilica of Saint Clare where they can still be seen today.
Clare was born in Assisi, Italy, as the eldest daughter of Favorino Scifi, Count of Sasso-Rosso and his wife Ortolana. Ortolana was a very devout woman who had undertaken pilgrimages to Rome, Santiago de Compostela and the Holy Land. Later on in her life, Ortolana entered Clare's monastery, together with Agnes, Clare's sister.
Clare and her sister Agnes soon moved to the church of San Damiano, which Francis himself had rebuilt. Other women joined them there, and San Damiano became known for its radically austere lifestyle. The women were at first known as the "Poor Ladies". She founded the Order of Poor Ladies, a monastic religious order for women in the Franciscan tradition, and wrote their Rule of Life—the first monastic rule known to have been written by a woman.
San Damiano became the focal point for Clare's new religious order, which was known in her lifetime as the "Order of San Damiano". San Damiano emerged as the most important house in the order, and Clare became its undisputed leader. By 1263, just ten years after Clare's death, the order had become known as the Order of Saint Clare.
For a short period of time the order was directed by Francis himself. Then in 1216, Clare accepted the role of abbess of San Damiano. As abbess, Clare had more authority to lead the order than when she was the prioress, who had to follow the orders of a priest heading the community. Clare defended her order from the attempts of prelates to impose a rule on them that more closely resembled the Rule of Saint Benedict than Francis' stricter vows. Clare sought to imitate Francis' virtues and way of life so much so that she was sometimes titled alter Franciscus, another Francis. She also played a significant role in encouraging and aiding Francis, whom she saw as a spiritual father figure, and she took care of him during his illnesses at the end of his life, until his death in 1226.
On August 9, 1253, the papal bull Solet annuere of Pope Innocent IV confirmed that Clare's rule would serve as the governing rule for Clare's Order of Poor Ladies. Two days later, on August 11, Clare died at the age of 59. Her remains were interred at the chapel of San Giorgio while a church to hold her remains was being constructed.
On August 15, 1255, Pope Alexander IV canonized Clare as Saint Clare of Assisi. Construction of the Basilica of Saint Clare was completed in 1260, and on October 3 of that year Clare's remains were transferred to the newly completed basilica where they were buried beneath the high altar. In further recognition of the saint, Pope Urban IV officially changed the name of the Order of Poor Ladies to the Order of Saint Clare in 1263.
Some 600 years later in 1872, Saint Clare's remains were transferred to a newly constructed shrine in the crypt of the Basilica of Saint Clare where they can still be seen today.
St. Elizabeth of Hungary
Elizabeth of Hungary, T.O.S.F., (German: Heilige Elisabeth von Thüringen, Hungarian: Árpád-házi Szent Erzsébet, 7 July 1207 – 17 November 1231)
Elizabeth was the daughter of King Andrew II of Hungary and Gertrude of Merania.
Elizabeth was brought to the court of the rulers of Thuringia in central Germany, to become betrothed to Louis IV, Landgrave of Thuringia, a future bride who would reinforce political alliances between the families. She was raised by the Thuringian court, so she would be familiar with the local language and culture.
In 1221, at the age of fourteen, Elizabeth married Louis; the same year he was enthroned as Landgrave Louis IV, and the marriage appears to have been happy. In 1223, Franciscan friars arrived, and the teenage Elizabeth not only learned about the ideals of Francis of Assisi, but started to live them. Louis was not upset by his wife's charitable efforts, believing that the distribution of his wealth to the poor would bring eternal reward; he is venerated in Thuringia as a saint, though he was never canonized by the Church.
In the spring of 1226, when floods, famine, and plague wrought havoc in Thuringia, Louis, a staunch supporter of the Hohenstaufen Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor, represented Frederick II at the Reichstag (Imperial Diet) in Cremona. Elizabeth assumed control of affairs at home and distributed alms in all parts of their territory, even giving away state robes and ornaments to the poor. Below Wartburg Castle, she built a hospital with twenty-eight beds and visited the inmates daily to attend to them.
Elizabeth's life changed irrevocably on 11 September 1227 when Louis, en route to join the Sixth Crusade, died of a fever in Otranto, Italy. On hearing the news of her husband's death, Elizabeth is reported to have said, "He is dead. He is dead. It is to me as if the whole world died today." His remains were returned to Elizabeth in 1228 and entombed at the Abbey of Reinhardsbrunn.
After Louis' death, his brother, Henry Raspe, assumed the regency during the minority of Elizabeth's eldest child, Hermann (1222–1241). After bitter arguments over the disposal of her dowry—a conflict in which Konrad was appointed as the official Defender of her case by Pope Gregory IX—Elizabeth left the court at Wartburg and moved to Marburg in Hesse.
Following her husband's death, Elizabeth made solemn vows to Konrad similar to those of a nun. These vows included celibacy, as well as complete obedience to Konrad as her confessor and spiritual director. Konrad's treatment of Elizabeth was extremely harsh, and he held her to standards of behavior which were almost impossible to meet. Among the punishments he is alleged to have ordered were physical beatings; he also ordered her to send away her three children. Her pledge to celibacy proved a hindrance to her family's political ambitions. Elizabeth was more or less held hostage at Pottenstein, Bavaria, the castle of her uncle, Bishop Ekbert of Bamberg, in an effort to force her to remarry. Elizabeth, however, held fast to her vow, even threatening to cut off her own nose so that no man would find her attractive enough to marry.
She then built a hospital at Marburg for the poor and the sick with the money from her dowry, where she and her companions cared for them. Her official biography written as part of the canonization process describes how she ministered to the sick and continued to give money to the poor. In 1231, she died in Marburg at the age of twenty-four.
After her death Elizabeth was commonly associated with the Third Order of St. Francis, the primarily lay Franciscan branch of the Franciscan Order.
Very soon after the death of Elizabeth, miracles were reported that happened at her grave in the church of the hospital, especially miracles of healing. On the suggestion of Konrad, and by papal command, examinations were held of those who had been healed between August, 1232, and January, 1235. The results of those examinations was supplemented by a brief vita of the saint-to-be, and together with the testimony of Elizabeth's handmaidens and companions (bound in a booklet called the Libellus de dictis quatuor ancillarum s. Elizabeth confectus), proved sufficient reason for the quick canonization of Elizabeth on 27 May 1235 in Perugia.
She was canonized by Pope Gregory IX. The papal bull declaring her a saint is on display in the Schatzkammer of the Deutschordenskirche in Vienna, Austria. Her body was laid in a magnificent golden shrine—still to be seen today—in the Elisabeth Church (Marburg).
Elizabeth was the first member of the Franciscan Third Order to be declared a saint, only recently founded in 1221. From her support of the friars sent to Thuringia, she was made known to the founder, St. Francis of Assisi, who sent her a personal message of blessing shortly before his death in 1226. Upon her canonization she was declared the patron saint of the Third Order of St. Francis, an honor she shares with St. Louis IX of France.
Elizabeth is perhaps best known for the legend which says that whilst she was taking bread to the poor in secret, her husband asked her what was in the pouch; Elizabeth opened it and the bread turned into roses.
Another popular story about St. Elizabeth, also found in Dietrich of Apolda's Vita, relates how she laid a leper in the bed she shared with her husband. When Ludwig discovered what she had done, he is said to have snatched off the bedclothes in great indignation, but at that instant "Almighty God opened the eyes of his soul, and instead of a leper he saw the figure of Christ crucified stretched upon the bed."
Elizabeth was the daughter of King Andrew II of Hungary and Gertrude of Merania.
Elizabeth was brought to the court of the rulers of Thuringia in central Germany, to become betrothed to Louis IV, Landgrave of Thuringia, a future bride who would reinforce political alliances between the families. She was raised by the Thuringian court, so she would be familiar with the local language and culture.
In 1221, at the age of fourteen, Elizabeth married Louis; the same year he was enthroned as Landgrave Louis IV, and the marriage appears to have been happy. In 1223, Franciscan friars arrived, and the teenage Elizabeth not only learned about the ideals of Francis of Assisi, but started to live them. Louis was not upset by his wife's charitable efforts, believing that the distribution of his wealth to the poor would bring eternal reward; he is venerated in Thuringia as a saint, though he was never canonized by the Church.
In the spring of 1226, when floods, famine, and plague wrought havoc in Thuringia, Louis, a staunch supporter of the Hohenstaufen Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor, represented Frederick II at the Reichstag (Imperial Diet) in Cremona. Elizabeth assumed control of affairs at home and distributed alms in all parts of their territory, even giving away state robes and ornaments to the poor. Below Wartburg Castle, she built a hospital with twenty-eight beds and visited the inmates daily to attend to them.
Elizabeth's life changed irrevocably on 11 September 1227 when Louis, en route to join the Sixth Crusade, died of a fever in Otranto, Italy. On hearing the news of her husband's death, Elizabeth is reported to have said, "He is dead. He is dead. It is to me as if the whole world died today." His remains were returned to Elizabeth in 1228 and entombed at the Abbey of Reinhardsbrunn.
After Louis' death, his brother, Henry Raspe, assumed the regency during the minority of Elizabeth's eldest child, Hermann (1222–1241). After bitter arguments over the disposal of her dowry—a conflict in which Konrad was appointed as the official Defender of her case by Pope Gregory IX—Elizabeth left the court at Wartburg and moved to Marburg in Hesse.
Following her husband's death, Elizabeth made solemn vows to Konrad similar to those of a nun. These vows included celibacy, as well as complete obedience to Konrad as her confessor and spiritual director. Konrad's treatment of Elizabeth was extremely harsh, and he held her to standards of behavior which were almost impossible to meet. Among the punishments he is alleged to have ordered were physical beatings; he also ordered her to send away her three children. Her pledge to celibacy proved a hindrance to her family's political ambitions. Elizabeth was more or less held hostage at Pottenstein, Bavaria, the castle of her uncle, Bishop Ekbert of Bamberg, in an effort to force her to remarry. Elizabeth, however, held fast to her vow, even threatening to cut off her own nose so that no man would find her attractive enough to marry.
She then built a hospital at Marburg for the poor and the sick with the money from her dowry, where she and her companions cared for them. Her official biography written as part of the canonization process describes how she ministered to the sick and continued to give money to the poor. In 1231, she died in Marburg at the age of twenty-four.
After her death Elizabeth was commonly associated with the Third Order of St. Francis, the primarily lay Franciscan branch of the Franciscan Order.
Very soon after the death of Elizabeth, miracles were reported that happened at her grave in the church of the hospital, especially miracles of healing. On the suggestion of Konrad, and by papal command, examinations were held of those who had been healed between August, 1232, and January, 1235. The results of those examinations was supplemented by a brief vita of the saint-to-be, and together with the testimony of Elizabeth's handmaidens and companions (bound in a booklet called the Libellus de dictis quatuor ancillarum s. Elizabeth confectus), proved sufficient reason for the quick canonization of Elizabeth on 27 May 1235 in Perugia.
She was canonized by Pope Gregory IX. The papal bull declaring her a saint is on display in the Schatzkammer of the Deutschordenskirche in Vienna, Austria. Her body was laid in a magnificent golden shrine—still to be seen today—in the Elisabeth Church (Marburg).
Elizabeth was the first member of the Franciscan Third Order to be declared a saint, only recently founded in 1221. From her support of the friars sent to Thuringia, she was made known to the founder, St. Francis of Assisi, who sent her a personal message of blessing shortly before his death in 1226. Upon her canonization she was declared the patron saint of the Third Order of St. Francis, an honor she shares with St. Louis IX of France.
Elizabeth is perhaps best known for the legend which says that whilst she was taking bread to the poor in secret, her husband asked her what was in the pouch; Elizabeth opened it and the bread turned into roses.
Another popular story about St. Elizabeth, also found in Dietrich of Apolda's Vita, relates how she laid a leper in the bed she shared with her husband. When Ludwig discovered what she had done, he is said to have snatched off the bedclothes in great indignation, but at that instant "Almighty God opened the eyes of his soul, and instead of a leper he saw the figure of Christ crucified stretched upon the bed."
St. Louis IX of France
Louis was born on 25 April 1214 at Poissy, near Paris, the son of Prince Louis the Lion and Blanche of Castile, and baptized in La Collégiale Notre-Dame church. His grandfather was King Philip II of France. He was 9 years old when his grandfather died and his father ascended as Louis VIII. Louis was twelve years old when his father died on 8 November 1226. He was crowned king within the month at Reims cathedral. Because of Louis's youth, his mother ruled France as regent during his minority. He worked with the Parliament of Paris in order to improve the professionalism of his legal administration.
On 27 May 1234, Louis married Margaret of Provence (1221 – 21 December 1295).
The perception of Louis IX as the exemplary Christian prince was reinforced by his religious zeal. Louis was a devout Catholic, and he built the Sainte-Chapelle ("Holy Chapel"), located within the royal palace complex (now the Paris Hall of Justice), on the Île de la Cité in the centre of Paris. The Sainte Chapelle was erected as a shrine for the Crown of Thorns and a fragment of the True Cross, precious relics of the Passion of Jesus.
Louis IX took very seriously his mission as "lieutenant of God on Earth", with which he had been invested when he was crowned in Rheims. To fulfill his duty, he conducted two crusades, and even though they were unsuccessful, they contributed to his prestige.
Louis IX tried to fulfill the duty of France, which was seen as "the eldest daughter of the Church" (la fille aînée de l'Église), a tradition of protector of the Church going back to the Franks and Charlemagne, who had been crowned by the Pope in Rome in 800.
During his second crusade, Louis died at Tunis, 25 August 1270. As Tunis was Muslim territory, his body was subject to the process known as mos Teutonicus (a postmortem funerary custom used in mediæval Europe whereby the flesh was boiled from the body, so that the bones of the deceased could be transported hygienically from distant lands back home, for its transportation back to France. He was succeeded by his son, Philip III. Louis died from dysentery.
Christian tradition states that some of his entrails were buried directly on the spot in Tunisia, where a Tomb of Saint-Louis can still be visited today, whereas his heart and other parts of his entrails were sealed in an urn and placed in the Basilica of Monreale, Palermo, where they still remain. (Sicily was at that time ruled by his younger brother, Charles of Anjou) His corpse was taken, after a short stay at the Basilica of Saint Dominic in Bologna, to the French royal necropolis at Saint-Denis, resting in Lyon on the way. His tomb at Saint-Denis was a magnificent gilt brass monument designed in the late 14th century. It was melted down during the French Wars of Religion, at which time the body of the king disappeared. Only one finger was rescued and is kept at Saint-Denis.
Pope Boniface VIII proclaimed the canonization of Louis in 1297; he is the only French monarch to be declared a saint.
Louis IX is often considered the model of the ideal Christian monarch. Because of the aura of holiness attached to his memory, many kings of France were called Louis, especially in the Bourbon dynasty, which directly descended from one of his younger sons.
The Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Louis is a Roman Catholic religious order founded in 1842 and named in his honor.
He is also honored as co-patron of the Third Order of St. Francis.
On 27 May 1234, Louis married Margaret of Provence (1221 – 21 December 1295).
The perception of Louis IX as the exemplary Christian prince was reinforced by his religious zeal. Louis was a devout Catholic, and he built the Sainte-Chapelle ("Holy Chapel"), located within the royal palace complex (now the Paris Hall of Justice), on the Île de la Cité in the centre of Paris. The Sainte Chapelle was erected as a shrine for the Crown of Thorns and a fragment of the True Cross, precious relics of the Passion of Jesus.
Louis IX took very seriously his mission as "lieutenant of God on Earth", with which he had been invested when he was crowned in Rheims. To fulfill his duty, he conducted two crusades, and even though they were unsuccessful, they contributed to his prestige.
Louis IX tried to fulfill the duty of France, which was seen as "the eldest daughter of the Church" (la fille aînée de l'Église), a tradition of protector of the Church going back to the Franks and Charlemagne, who had been crowned by the Pope in Rome in 800.
During his second crusade, Louis died at Tunis, 25 August 1270. As Tunis was Muslim territory, his body was subject to the process known as mos Teutonicus (a postmortem funerary custom used in mediæval Europe whereby the flesh was boiled from the body, so that the bones of the deceased could be transported hygienically from distant lands back home, for its transportation back to France. He was succeeded by his son, Philip III. Louis died from dysentery.
Christian tradition states that some of his entrails were buried directly on the spot in Tunisia, where a Tomb of Saint-Louis can still be visited today, whereas his heart and other parts of his entrails were sealed in an urn and placed in the Basilica of Monreale, Palermo, where they still remain. (Sicily was at that time ruled by his younger brother, Charles of Anjou) His corpse was taken, after a short stay at the Basilica of Saint Dominic in Bologna, to the French royal necropolis at Saint-Denis, resting in Lyon on the way. His tomb at Saint-Denis was a magnificent gilt brass monument designed in the late 14th century. It was melted down during the French Wars of Religion, at which time the body of the king disappeared. Only one finger was rescued and is kept at Saint-Denis.
Pope Boniface VIII proclaimed the canonization of Louis in 1297; he is the only French monarch to be declared a saint.
Louis IX is often considered the model of the ideal Christian monarch. Because of the aura of holiness attached to his memory, many kings of France were called Louis, especially in the Bourbon dynasty, which directly descended from one of his younger sons.
The Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Louis is a Roman Catholic religious order founded in 1842 and named in his honor.
He is also honored as co-patron of the Third Order of St. Francis.
Br. Puthenparampil Thommachan OFS
Thommechan was born on the 8th July 1836 and was baptized as Thomas. When Thommechan was about two years and a half old his father, Philippose died.His mother, Thresiamma then looked after him.
Proficiency in Tamil enabled Thommechan to read first hand several religious and devotional books in Tamil. Most of the books available then were in Tamil. Prominent among them was the Bible and lives of the Saints including that of St. Francis of Assisi.
He was prone to be prayerful contemplative, ascetical, withdrawn. He would concentrate on devotional exercises and prayers and seek solitude and meditation.
He got married to Annamma, daughter of Mathachan, Vadakkeveettil of Pulincunnu parish. She was just an ordinary, normal catholic girl, not particularly given to be over-enthusiastic about the pious practices of her bridegroom. But Thommechan's sense of values and piety made him a loyal and dutiful husband. So he gave in to all that was expected of him as a husband and father.
In the normal course of his family life a son and two daughters were born to him.
In 1865, when Thommechan was about 28 years old, he called together a number of his like minded companions, all bent on consecrating their lives in the service of God, without renouncing their temporal responsibilities. He had heard of the distinguishing Franciscan Cord as a symbol of restraint - something that would tie up your wandering or bursting thoughts - something that would remind you that you are tied to, bound to, a mooring point, a focus of spirituality. He found the thin strands of a coconut fiber robe, with its sharp, strong and piercing bristles as a suitable inner girdle to be worn close to the body. This physical gesture was supplemented by some self imposed regulations conducive to a virtuous living and external works of charity like helping the poor, conversion of the depressed classes, more systematic observance of the Sabbath etc. One day during the spiritual reading they were making at their Sunday meetings, this prayer group came across the story of the foundation of the Third Order by St. Francis of Assisi, for married people living in the world. Soon Thommechan procured a copy of the rules of the Franciscan Third Order. Thommechan saw that St. Francis and his brother friars actively engaged themselves in missionary activities and felt that, that was the immediate call open to his fraternity. There were around him plenty of Harijans who were living in subhuman conditions, denied of all rights of equality with their brethrn in the matter of education, worship, use of public highways etc. Untouchability and unapproachability were among the vices prevalent among them.The fraternity put up a shed in the common lands there and organised the teaching of catechism in groups formed according to age. This association of Thommechan with the low caste people raised protests from the well placed families.
This fraternity was distinguished by the rope they tied around their waist. They were even addressed as "the fraternity of the roped". Braving such ridicule, Thommechan worked on enrolling more members in different parishes. He travelled all over Kerala preaching the Franciscan message in the churches. From 1868 onwards Thommechan was engaged in this mission and he succeeded tremendously in spreading the Franciscan message throughout Kerala.
On the 26th Dec. 1868, the feast of St. Stephen, he was vested. Following the common practice of the religious, of chosing an alternate name, as a mark of their shedding their old personality and accepting a new one, Thommechan chose 'Louis' as a sur-name. From then on, Thommechan was known in the religious fraternities as Thommen Louis. St Louis is the patron saint of the Franciscan Tertiary brothers.
Thommechan died on 1st November 1908.
Puthenparambil Thommachan, popularly known as Kerala Assisi, was declared as ‘Servant of God’ on Friday 29th June 2012..
Proficiency in Tamil enabled Thommechan to read first hand several religious and devotional books in Tamil. Most of the books available then were in Tamil. Prominent among them was the Bible and lives of the Saints including that of St. Francis of Assisi.
He was prone to be prayerful contemplative, ascetical, withdrawn. He would concentrate on devotional exercises and prayers and seek solitude and meditation.
He got married to Annamma, daughter of Mathachan, Vadakkeveettil of Pulincunnu parish. She was just an ordinary, normal catholic girl, not particularly given to be over-enthusiastic about the pious practices of her bridegroom. But Thommechan's sense of values and piety made him a loyal and dutiful husband. So he gave in to all that was expected of him as a husband and father.
In the normal course of his family life a son and two daughters were born to him.
In 1865, when Thommechan was about 28 years old, he called together a number of his like minded companions, all bent on consecrating their lives in the service of God, without renouncing their temporal responsibilities. He had heard of the distinguishing Franciscan Cord as a symbol of restraint - something that would tie up your wandering or bursting thoughts - something that would remind you that you are tied to, bound to, a mooring point, a focus of spirituality. He found the thin strands of a coconut fiber robe, with its sharp, strong and piercing bristles as a suitable inner girdle to be worn close to the body. This physical gesture was supplemented by some self imposed regulations conducive to a virtuous living and external works of charity like helping the poor, conversion of the depressed classes, more systematic observance of the Sabbath etc. One day during the spiritual reading they were making at their Sunday meetings, this prayer group came across the story of the foundation of the Third Order by St. Francis of Assisi, for married people living in the world. Soon Thommechan procured a copy of the rules of the Franciscan Third Order. Thommechan saw that St. Francis and his brother friars actively engaged themselves in missionary activities and felt that, that was the immediate call open to his fraternity. There were around him plenty of Harijans who were living in subhuman conditions, denied of all rights of equality with their brethrn in the matter of education, worship, use of public highways etc. Untouchability and unapproachability were among the vices prevalent among them.The fraternity put up a shed in the common lands there and organised the teaching of catechism in groups formed according to age. This association of Thommechan with the low caste people raised protests from the well placed families.
This fraternity was distinguished by the rope they tied around their waist. They were even addressed as "the fraternity of the roped". Braving such ridicule, Thommechan worked on enrolling more members in different parishes. He travelled all over Kerala preaching the Franciscan message in the churches. From 1868 onwards Thommechan was engaged in this mission and he succeeded tremendously in spreading the Franciscan message throughout Kerala.
On the 26th Dec. 1868, the feast of St. Stephen, he was vested. Following the common practice of the religious, of chosing an alternate name, as a mark of their shedding their old personality and accepting a new one, Thommechan chose 'Louis' as a sur-name. From then on, Thommechan was known in the religious fraternities as Thommen Louis. St Louis is the patron saint of the Franciscan Tertiary brothers.
Thommechan died on 1st November 1908.
Puthenparambil Thommachan, popularly known as Kerala Assisi, was declared as ‘Servant of God’ on Friday 29th June 2012..
Br. Joseph Thamby OFS
Br. Joseph Thamby, a Perpetual Franciscan Tertiary was born in September 1883 in Karaikal village and brought up in Pondicherry in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, India. His parents were Savarymuthu Thamby and Annamalle. Br. Thamby lost his mother when he was seven years. His father married a second time. On account of the adverse circumstances created by his step-mother, Joseph Thamby left the house stealthily and reached Kerala where he was taken care of and educated by a pious lady. He must have worked there taking care of the household works and at the same time, receiving good religious education.
He made frequent visits to his birthplace, where he was unrecognized by anyone; even his father gave him some coins without recognizing him. Only in 1928, he was recognized by his grandmother at a funeral service of a relative. Again on 14 October 1932, he turned up at the religious profession of his niece Gabrielle Marie Therese OCD (died in 1985) in Puducherry. On this occasion and according to the testimony of Gabrielle Therese, he was dressed in a Franciscan habit. She remembered him saying that he had to return to his Friary at Kollam in Kerala. He was then 50 years old.
The construction of St. Antony’s Friary, the student house at Kollam in Kerala was supervised from 1931 by a French Capuchin, Symphorian of Paris and the same was inaugurated in 1932. We assume that Joseph Thamby must have joined the Capuchins in 1931 or 1932 at Kollam, Kerala. It used to be customary among the Capuchins for postulants of the Order to be first received into the Franciscan Third Order and clothed in the habit (without a hood, with a cord and rosary), then into the novitiate and finally as professed members, before subsequently entering the novitiate of the friars. Thus, Joseph tried to join the Capuchin Order. For sure, his being aged fifty was not in his favour.
Nevertheless, after leaving the Capuchins, the Tertiary Brother Joseph Thamby continued to wear the habit, as confirmed by a few photographs and a number of testimonies. He remained a staunch member of the Third Order and took upon himself the mission of spreading the Order wherever possible.
In 1933, Br. Joseph Thamby came to Manathidal (now a parish in the diocese of Kumbakonam, Tanjavur district, Tamil Nadu). Some people thought that he belonged to a lower caste, because he was dark. They planned to chase him away from the place but, gradually, they realized that he was a saynyasi (monk). They tolerated him observing keenly his way of life. As a result, the Catholics of Manathidal began to be attracted by the spirit of prayer, austerity and generosity of Br. Joseph Thamby. They gave him food and accommodation. He taught them catechism, established peace among people and prepared for the feasts of the locality. He taught them about the life of St. Francis of Assisi, his Order and especially the Third Order (Secular Franciscan Order). Some of them wanted to join and as a result, he established a branch of the Third Order there. It is said that from here, he extended his service and ministry also to Kumbakonam and Tanjavur.
His life in Manathidal was humble and poor. He stayed in a tiny tin shed near the Church. He was totally dependent on the people for his living.
Br. Joseph Thamby moved to Pachamalai (Kumbakonam Diocese and in the district of Thirichinapally, Tamil Nadu) in 1936 for social and evangelical work among the hill-tribes who were considered to be primitive. They were 8 Kilometers away from Kothapalayam parish church, and he stayed there in a hut for pretty long time engaged in social service specially providing clothes for the poor people. He used to collect clothes and even money from Pondicherry for the poor people of Pachamalai. His life and service in Pachamalai was noteworthy. He identified himself with the poor tribal people there. He tried to educate them and worked for their up-lift in the society.
He used to treat wounded people with the country medicine he knew. His desire was to construct a church for which he bought a piece of land. But, when some priests, thought that it would be very difficult to establish the church among those tribal people and as a result they sold the land. With this, Br. Joseph Thamby left Pachamalai.
In Kerala, he would work in the fields as a daily wage earner or beg alms in streets and share what he earned with the poor. Much of the help he got, he use to send to Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh for the help of the poor. Br. Joseph Thamby prayed for the sick and for the conversion of sinners.
Brother Joseph Thamby moved from Kerala to Bittragunta, Nellore district in Andhra Pradesh and did his ministry there among the Railway employees who were mostly from Tamil Nadu for eight months.
Towards the end of 1937, he reached Kesarapally which is about 25 KM away from Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. There Br. Joseph Thamby picked up workable knowledge of Telugu and used to gather people for Rosary, lead them to Eucharistic celebration in the parish church at Pedavutapally.
In the beginning of 1939, he decided to change his residence from Kesarapally to the premises of the parish church at Pedavutapally for the love of the Eucharist.
The Boyapati family (Basavayya and Sitaramamma) was the one that he brought to faith in Pedavutapally through which many more. The family showed concern and care for Br. Joseph Thamby and he responded with interest in this family. This mutual love and appreciation grew gradually and in course of time this family became receptive to God’s Word. The parish priest was kept in know of these developments in that family. He encouraged the efforts of Br. Joseph Thamby. On 22 July 1939, at night, the family was baptized and received the names Francis and Claramma. He built an altar in honor of St. Francis of Assisi in Boyapati family which we can see even today.
The funeral was postponed to the following day for more people were flocking to Pedavutapally from various remote villages. The funeral Mass was attended by hundreds of people. The anniversary of his death is celebrated with great solemnity, with the participation of tens of thousands of devotees from 13 to 15 January every year.
Br. Joseph Thamby was blessed with the rare spiritual gifts of Stigmata, bi-location/instant location, Prophecy, Visions, curing the sick, multiplying the food, intuition into the minds of the people and many spiritual healing powers. He had a workable knowledge of Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, French and English.
He devoted a considerable time in private prayer both day and night. He had a great devotion to the sacrament of Holy Eucharist and Reconciliation.
Br. Joseph Thamby was a man of penance. Perhaps, his main penance was to suffer the pains of his stigmata. Besides this, he practiced other voluntary penances, like bodily mortification and fasting. He was often wearing a belt with small chains attached to it. This was found after his death.
He use to speak aloud with the people who tread in wrong path, but later, he use to feel so sorry for his anger and beg pardon by bending or kneeling in front of the person catching their legs. In order to persuade certain hard-hearted Catholics to go to the Church, he would kneel before them and humbly entreat them to go for Mass. Sometimes, even before disobedient children, he would kneel down and request them to obey.
Many people affirm the fact that Br. Joseph Thamby was given the extraordinary favour of receiving the stigmata. On Fridays he was seen in agony by many, and at times in ecstasy, which means he might have been participating in the passion of Jesus Christ.
The testimony about the stigmata of Br. Joseph Thamby given by Fr. Vincenzo Pagano. He was visibly in great pain, as his short hairs were straight up, the eyes blank, the body hunched and almost crushed and barely able to walk. I noticed fresh blood stains in his hands, on his feet and on his heart. He confided to me that he receives the stigmata on every Friday and lasts for full hour. After few months, I began noticing, besides the five wounds, even a scar of red drops shining, ruby-like, all around his head. On good Fridays, he locked his room the whole day and God alone knew how much he suffered. He avoided visiting villages on those days and was afraid so much of being seen by others. At the time of the stigmata, he appeared to shine beautiful with much grace reflected on his face. The legs of Br. Joseph Thamby, which were joined together as if in a nailed position. He was lying in the form of a Cross and was writhing in excruciating pain. Later, returning to consciousness, Br. Joseph Thamby asked for some piece of cloth to wipe away the stains of blood, after which the wounds seem to have disappeared from his hands and feet. Br. Joseph Thamby in his own words said, “every Friday at 3 p.m. I experience within myself the pain of crucifixion and the blood starts to flow.’
He foretold the date of his death three months in advance and prepared the coffin. During the three months preceding his death, Thamby became very austere in his life. He would fast daily on black coffee and an occasional dish of some edible roots, which was locally available. He continued to visit the villages. He was struck by a fever, on 6 January 1945. His works in the villages, his frequent fasts and many austerities had irreparably undermined his health. On 15 January his condition worsened. He had the desire to die in Boyapati family. Surrounded by the Boyapati family, whom he himself had converted, and by various friends and devotees, as he foretold God called him for his eternal reward on 15 January 1945 at 4:00 PM at the age of 61.
"Servant of God": It is the title given to a deceased person of the Catholic Church whose life and works are being investigated in consideration for official recognition by the Pope and the Catholic Church as a saint in heaven. The process for canonization is under the jurisdiction of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. Receiving the title Servant of God is the first of the four steps in the canonization process. The next step is being declared Venerable, upon a decree of heroicity or martyrdom by the honored. This is followed by beatification, with the title of Blessed, after the confirmation of miracles attributed to the honored. The final step is canonization, where the honored would receive the title of Saint.
He was declared 'Servant of God' on 24 June 2007 .
He made frequent visits to his birthplace, where he was unrecognized by anyone; even his father gave him some coins without recognizing him. Only in 1928, he was recognized by his grandmother at a funeral service of a relative. Again on 14 October 1932, he turned up at the religious profession of his niece Gabrielle Marie Therese OCD (died in 1985) in Puducherry. On this occasion and according to the testimony of Gabrielle Therese, he was dressed in a Franciscan habit. She remembered him saying that he had to return to his Friary at Kollam in Kerala. He was then 50 years old.
The construction of St. Antony’s Friary, the student house at Kollam in Kerala was supervised from 1931 by a French Capuchin, Symphorian of Paris and the same was inaugurated in 1932. We assume that Joseph Thamby must have joined the Capuchins in 1931 or 1932 at Kollam, Kerala. It used to be customary among the Capuchins for postulants of the Order to be first received into the Franciscan Third Order and clothed in the habit (without a hood, with a cord and rosary), then into the novitiate and finally as professed members, before subsequently entering the novitiate of the friars. Thus, Joseph tried to join the Capuchin Order. For sure, his being aged fifty was not in his favour.
Nevertheless, after leaving the Capuchins, the Tertiary Brother Joseph Thamby continued to wear the habit, as confirmed by a few photographs and a number of testimonies. He remained a staunch member of the Third Order and took upon himself the mission of spreading the Order wherever possible.
In 1933, Br. Joseph Thamby came to Manathidal (now a parish in the diocese of Kumbakonam, Tanjavur district, Tamil Nadu). Some people thought that he belonged to a lower caste, because he was dark. They planned to chase him away from the place but, gradually, they realized that he was a saynyasi (monk). They tolerated him observing keenly his way of life. As a result, the Catholics of Manathidal began to be attracted by the spirit of prayer, austerity and generosity of Br. Joseph Thamby. They gave him food and accommodation. He taught them catechism, established peace among people and prepared for the feasts of the locality. He taught them about the life of St. Francis of Assisi, his Order and especially the Third Order (Secular Franciscan Order). Some of them wanted to join and as a result, he established a branch of the Third Order there. It is said that from here, he extended his service and ministry also to Kumbakonam and Tanjavur.
His life in Manathidal was humble and poor. He stayed in a tiny tin shed near the Church. He was totally dependent on the people for his living.
Br. Joseph Thamby moved to Pachamalai (Kumbakonam Diocese and in the district of Thirichinapally, Tamil Nadu) in 1936 for social and evangelical work among the hill-tribes who were considered to be primitive. They were 8 Kilometers away from Kothapalayam parish church, and he stayed there in a hut for pretty long time engaged in social service specially providing clothes for the poor people. He used to collect clothes and even money from Pondicherry for the poor people of Pachamalai. His life and service in Pachamalai was noteworthy. He identified himself with the poor tribal people there. He tried to educate them and worked for their up-lift in the society.
He used to treat wounded people with the country medicine he knew. His desire was to construct a church for which he bought a piece of land. But, when some priests, thought that it would be very difficult to establish the church among those tribal people and as a result they sold the land. With this, Br. Joseph Thamby left Pachamalai.
In Kerala, he would work in the fields as a daily wage earner or beg alms in streets and share what he earned with the poor. Much of the help he got, he use to send to Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh for the help of the poor. Br. Joseph Thamby prayed for the sick and for the conversion of sinners.
Brother Joseph Thamby moved from Kerala to Bittragunta, Nellore district in Andhra Pradesh and did his ministry there among the Railway employees who were mostly from Tamil Nadu for eight months.
Towards the end of 1937, he reached Kesarapally which is about 25 KM away from Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. There Br. Joseph Thamby picked up workable knowledge of Telugu and used to gather people for Rosary, lead them to Eucharistic celebration in the parish church at Pedavutapally.
In the beginning of 1939, he decided to change his residence from Kesarapally to the premises of the parish church at Pedavutapally for the love of the Eucharist.
The Boyapati family (Basavayya and Sitaramamma) was the one that he brought to faith in Pedavutapally through which many more. The family showed concern and care for Br. Joseph Thamby and he responded with interest in this family. This mutual love and appreciation grew gradually and in course of time this family became receptive to God’s Word. The parish priest was kept in know of these developments in that family. He encouraged the efforts of Br. Joseph Thamby. On 22 July 1939, at night, the family was baptized and received the names Francis and Claramma. He built an altar in honor of St. Francis of Assisi in Boyapati family which we can see even today.
The funeral was postponed to the following day for more people were flocking to Pedavutapally from various remote villages. The funeral Mass was attended by hundreds of people. The anniversary of his death is celebrated with great solemnity, with the participation of tens of thousands of devotees from 13 to 15 January every year.
Br. Joseph Thamby was blessed with the rare spiritual gifts of Stigmata, bi-location/instant location, Prophecy, Visions, curing the sick, multiplying the food, intuition into the minds of the people and many spiritual healing powers. He had a workable knowledge of Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, French and English.
He devoted a considerable time in private prayer both day and night. He had a great devotion to the sacrament of Holy Eucharist and Reconciliation.
Br. Joseph Thamby was a man of penance. Perhaps, his main penance was to suffer the pains of his stigmata. Besides this, he practiced other voluntary penances, like bodily mortification and fasting. He was often wearing a belt with small chains attached to it. This was found after his death.
He use to speak aloud with the people who tread in wrong path, but later, he use to feel so sorry for his anger and beg pardon by bending or kneeling in front of the person catching their legs. In order to persuade certain hard-hearted Catholics to go to the Church, he would kneel before them and humbly entreat them to go for Mass. Sometimes, even before disobedient children, he would kneel down and request them to obey.
Many people affirm the fact that Br. Joseph Thamby was given the extraordinary favour of receiving the stigmata. On Fridays he was seen in agony by many, and at times in ecstasy, which means he might have been participating in the passion of Jesus Christ.
The testimony about the stigmata of Br. Joseph Thamby given by Fr. Vincenzo Pagano. He was visibly in great pain, as his short hairs were straight up, the eyes blank, the body hunched and almost crushed and barely able to walk. I noticed fresh blood stains in his hands, on his feet and on his heart. He confided to me that he receives the stigmata on every Friday and lasts for full hour. After few months, I began noticing, besides the five wounds, even a scar of red drops shining, ruby-like, all around his head. On good Fridays, he locked his room the whole day and God alone knew how much he suffered. He avoided visiting villages on those days and was afraid so much of being seen by others. At the time of the stigmata, he appeared to shine beautiful with much grace reflected on his face. The legs of Br. Joseph Thamby, which were joined together as if in a nailed position. He was lying in the form of a Cross and was writhing in excruciating pain. Later, returning to consciousness, Br. Joseph Thamby asked for some piece of cloth to wipe away the stains of blood, after which the wounds seem to have disappeared from his hands and feet. Br. Joseph Thamby in his own words said, “every Friday at 3 p.m. I experience within myself the pain of crucifixion and the blood starts to flow.’
He foretold the date of his death three months in advance and prepared the coffin. During the three months preceding his death, Thamby became very austere in his life. He would fast daily on black coffee and an occasional dish of some edible roots, which was locally available. He continued to visit the villages. He was struck by a fever, on 6 January 1945. His works in the villages, his frequent fasts and many austerities had irreparably undermined his health. On 15 January his condition worsened. He had the desire to die in Boyapati family. Surrounded by the Boyapati family, whom he himself had converted, and by various friends and devotees, as he foretold God called him for his eternal reward on 15 January 1945 at 4:00 PM at the age of 61.
"Servant of God": It is the title given to a deceased person of the Catholic Church whose life and works are being investigated in consideration for official recognition by the Pope and the Catholic Church as a saint in heaven. The process for canonization is under the jurisdiction of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. Receiving the title Servant of God is the first of the four steps in the canonization process. The next step is being declared Venerable, upon a decree of heroicity or martyrdom by the honored. This is followed by beatification, with the title of Blessed, after the confirmation of miracles attributed to the honored. The final step is canonization, where the honored would receive the title of Saint.
He was declared 'Servant of God' on 24 June 2007 .
Br. Peter Reddy OFS
His full name was Paul Chinnappa Reddiar, aka Peter Reddy / Paradeshi Peter. He is also known as the greatest learned mendicant the world has ever seen. He was born at Perioor Ammapetei, Thirumangalam, Madurai district, Tamil Nadu. He was a teacher by profession with degrees in M.A, L.T (B.ed of today). Except Tamil and English, he learnt Hindi, Sanskrit, Malayalam, Italian, German, French, Hebrew and Aramaic after the age of fifty. He is credited to have written 9 books and over 50 Tamil devotional songs. His spirituality emphasized on evangelical poverty, evangelical mission, ascetic life and obedience to the call of Jesus and the Church.
“I do not look at the man who insults me but look at Jesus standing behind him. I will do as Jesus did when he was insulted.”
He was greatly devoted to the Holy Eucharist and to our Lady. He was influenced by St. Francis of Assisi and St. Alphonsa.
He renounced the world, became a beggar to practice the word of God and preached Christ. Even while working as a professor, he was never hesitant to sacrifice anything for evangelization. After a 3 day retreat in Amal Ashram, Trichy, he made his commitment for life to preach the Gospel as a Franciscan Mendicant Brother. On the instructions of Fr. Urban OFM Cap., in 1944, he renounced everything. He quit St. Xavier’s College, Palayamkottai, as a professor. He went out with a beggar’s bowl, the Holy Bible, putting on the brown habit of the capuchins minus the hood and tied a cord around his waist. Though he was an eminent scholar and a university professor, on many occasions he used to sit among the beggars, people irrespective of their class, caste, creed or color. He later on changed to saffron attire and went around with his begging bowl. He died on 21st June 1958 and is buried at Palayamkottai.
“I do not look at the man who insults me but look at Jesus standing behind him. I will do as Jesus did when he was insulted.”
He was greatly devoted to the Holy Eucharist and to our Lady. He was influenced by St. Francis of Assisi and St. Alphonsa.
He renounced the world, became a beggar to practice the word of God and preached Christ. Even while working as a professor, he was never hesitant to sacrifice anything for evangelization. After a 3 day retreat in Amal Ashram, Trichy, he made his commitment for life to preach the Gospel as a Franciscan Mendicant Brother. On the instructions of Fr. Urban OFM Cap., in 1944, he renounced everything. He quit St. Xavier’s College, Palayamkottai, as a professor. He went out with a beggar’s bowl, the Holy Bible, putting on the brown habit of the capuchins minus the hood and tied a cord around his waist. Though he was an eminent scholar and a university professor, on many occasions he used to sit among the beggars, people irrespective of their class, caste, creed or color. He later on changed to saffron attire and went around with his begging bowl. He died on 21st June 1958 and is buried at Palayamkottai.