Image Portraits of Indian Capuchin Pioneers

Art Work Credit to: 

Br. Vitalis Ponnore, 1921-2011

St. Thomas Province, Kerela

2. Bifurcation of Indian Provinces

1972: The Decree of the division of the Indian Province into four different jurisdictions was promulgated.

1972: The division of the Indian Province into four independent jurisdictions namely, St. Joseph Province (Kerala), Most Holy Trinity Province (Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra), Amala Annai Province (Tamil Nadu) and St. Francis Vice Province (Kerala) and the installation of the new Provincial superiors (appointed by Rome) at Kotagiri by Fr. Aloysius Ward, Def. General took place.

1972: Amala Annai Province of Tamilnadu was born with the appointment of Fr. Jonathan the first Provincial Minister.

1973: The First Ordinary Chapter of Tamil Nadu Province was held at Shanthi Ashram, Coimbatore after the erection of the Province in May 1972.

1974: The Province started it's own initiation course at Amalashram.

1975: The First Election Chapter of the Province took place at Shanthi Ashram, Coimbatore. Fr. Jonathan was elected Provincial for three years.

1977: The Second Provincial Renewal Chapter was held at Shanthi Ashram, Coimbatore.

1978: The Second Election Chapter of the Province was held at Shanthi Ashram, Coimbatore. Fr. Mathias was elected Provincial.

1979: Assisi Ashram, a retreat house at Pampanvilai in Nagercoil was blessed.

1979: Tamil Nadu launched a mission in Andhra Pradesh in the Diocese of Cuddapah.

1979: The Provincial Renewal Seminar took place at Shanthi Ashram, Coimbatore.

1981: The common study houses of Philosophy (Trichur) and Theology (Kotagiri) were closed and regionalized study houses were born.

1981: The Third Election Chapter of the Province was held at Shanthi Ashram, Coimbatore. Fr. Mathias was re-elected Provincial.

1981: The Province housed the Novitiate temporarily at the Friary, Kotagiri.

1982:  The Fourth Provincial Renewal Seminar was held at the Friary, Kotagiri.

1983: Gnanalaya in Trichy was blessed and used as a residence by the students of Theology. The Theologians attended classes at St. Paul Seminary, Trichy.

1984: The Fourth Election Chapter was held at the Friary, Kotagiri, and was presided over by Fr. Flavio, Minister General. For the first time, all the perpetually Professed Friars took part and elected Fr. B. Aruldass, Provincial.

1984: The Province started its own Philosophate at Shanthi Ashram, Coimbatore.

1985: The Novitiate building at Pampanvilai was blessed. We shifted the Novitiate from Kotagiri to Pampanvilai in May 1985.

1985: The new Friary building at Nagari was blessed. Our Friars moved from Guntarajakuppam to this new residence at Nagari, Andhra Pradesh.

1985: The Philosophate was shifted permanently to Kotagiri.

1985: A new formation centre for the orientation students (first years) started functioning at Tuticorin.

1986: The Fifth Provincial Renewal Seminar was held at the Friary, Kotagiri.

1987: Arulagam at Vickramasingapuram was blessed. This was meant for the students doing Higher Secondary Education.

1987: The second retreat house of the Province at Paduvai Ashram, Tuticorin was blessed.

1987: The Fifth Election Chapter of the Province was held at Amalashram, Trichy. Fr. B. Aruldass was re-elected Provincial.

1987: The Provincialate was shifted from Shanthi Ashram, Coimbatore to Gnanalaya, Trichy.

1988: For the frist time a delegate was sent for the General Chapter.

1988: The Province started its own Theologate at Amalashram, Trichy.

1989: The Sixth Renewal Seminar was held at the Friary, Kotagiri.

1989: The first batch of three Friars left for Bulawayo in Zimbabwe (Africa), our mission territory, for missonary work.

1990: The Friary of Our Lady Queen of Peace at Entumbane in the diocese of Bulawayo in Zimbabwe was blessed.

1990: We started a new formation house in Penang, Malaysia.

1990: The Sixth Election Chapter was held at Amalashram, Trichy. Fr. D. Jesudass was elected Provincial.

1990: The Friary at Fatima Mission in the diocese of Hwange in Zimbabwe (Africa) was blessed.

1991: Brunapeg Mission in Zimbabwe became a parish.

1992: The Seventh Renewal Seminar was held at the Friary, Kotagiri.

1992: St. Francis Anbagam at Okkur in the diocese of Sivagangai was blessed.

1993: The Seventh Election Chapter was held at The Friary, Kotagiri. Fr. Percy Joseph Raj was elected Provincial.

1993: The Golden Jubilee of Amalashram was celebrated. An Audio Cassette "Amaidhikkaha" - Part I was released.

1994: The theologate got affiliated to St. Peter Pontifical Seminary, Bangalore.

1994: Amalashram was erected a parish.

1994: The Eighth Renewal Chapter was held at The Friary, Kotagiri.

1994: Arulagam at Vickramasingapuram was erected a parish dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi.

1995: At the request of the Bishop of  Tiruchirappalli, the Province took up the responsibility of the wholistic development of the Catechetical Sisters of St. Thomas. Now they are renamed as "Franciscan Sisters of  St. Thomas."

1995: A parish at Fatima Nagar in Trichy diocese was entrusted to the care of the Province.

1995: The Malaysian Friars were incorporated into the Philippines Province.

1996: The Province got the approval of the Government to start St. Francis Matriculation School at Thirumangalam.

1996: Arunodaya at Vannampatty, Dindigul, was blessed.

1996: The Eighth Election Chapter was held at The Friary, Kotagiri. Fr. John Antony was elected Provincial. The Capuchin Friars Minor Multipurpose Social Service Sociey (CFMMSSS) started to function at Udhayam Social Service Centre, Trichy.

1996: Our ministry at Pattukkottai came to an end.

1997: It marks the Silver Jubilee year of the Province.

1997: Post-Novitiate programme was introduced in the Province for the first time at Assisi Ashram, Pampanvilai.\

1997: Okkur was created a quasi-parish.

1997: The Ninth Extraordinary Provincial Chapter was held at Amalashram Srirangam, Trichy.

1997: An Audio Cassette of religious hymns in Tamil titled "Amaithikaka - Part II" was released.

1998: The Parish dedicated to St. Antony was erected at Arcot.

1998: The Parish dedicated to St.Antony was erected at Sundampatti.

1998: Brindisi Matriculation School was started in Shanthi Ashram, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore.

1998: The "History of the Capuchins of Tamil Nadu in India" written by Fr. S. Arockiam was released by Rev. Fr. John Corriveau, Minister General.

1998: Fr. John Corriveau, our General, blessed the new wing of the school in Thirumangalam.

1998: An audio cassette bearing the hymns, mainly on St. Francis, titled "Amaithipura" by the OFS of Tamil Nadu was released.

1999: Burkina Faso Mission was entrusted to the Tamil Nadu Capuchins.

1999: Vannampatti was erected a parish and handed over to the Province.

1999: Rev. Fr. Andrew Anil Sequiera, General Definitor blessed and opened the house Anugraha, Dindigul.

1999: Our Vidivelli Friary building and the presbytery were blessed at Sundampatty in the diocese of Dharmapuri.

1999: The Zimbabwe delegation was raised to the status of a custody. Fr. Jeyaraj was appointed the first  Regular Superior.

1999: The Ninth Election Chapter was held at Amalashram, Srirangam, Trichy. Fr. John Antony was re-elected Provinicial. 2000 The Parish Church at Okkur Pudur was blessed and opened.

2000: Theresia Karunalaya Children Home at Kattur, Trichy,  was opened.

2000: The Golden Jubilee of The Friary, Kotagiri was celebrated. 2000 Pio Illam (House) at Uppupettai, Arcot was blessed.

2000: We took up the Infant Jesus parish at Vallam bifurcated from Chingleput town parish in the diocese of Chingleput.

2000: The post-novitiate building on the top of Anbagam, Okkur, was completed.

2000: 10th Extraordinary Chapter finalized the statutes of the Province.

2000: Vidivelli Animation Centre at Sundampatti in the diocese of Dharmapuri was blessed.

2001: Clare Children Home at Okkur Pudur came into being.

2001: The parish Church and the rectory were solemnised at Uppupettai, Arcot in the diocese of Vellore.

2001: Anugraha, our Counselling Institute, was shifted from Nagerkoil to Dindigul.

2001: Capuchin Legal Awareness, Research and Educational Services (CLARES), a new ministry in the Province, was introduced in Amalashram.

2001: We initiated the parish ministry in Sendamangalam in the diocese of Salem and the house was named Jeevanathi.

2001: Kolbe Kudil, a children home was blessed at Vallam, Chingleput.

2001: St. Mathias Church was reconstructed and consecrated.

2002: Infant Jesus Friary at Vallam was blessed.

2002: Kaviyalaya, a Friary at Okkur Pudur parish campus, came into existence.

2002: A Church was constructed and consecrated at Vadakku Mettupatti, a substation of Vannampatti. St. John Church at K.M. Kottai was renovated and consecrated.

2002: The Tenth Election Chapter took place at Anugraha, Nochiodaipatti, Dindigul. Fr. Divakar was elected Provincial.

2002: Regents were sent for the first time to Zimbabwe and Burkina Faso with a view to induct them in the mission after their ordination.

2002: The OFS units of Trichy, Tanjore, Kumbakonam and Padre Pio Prayer group, together with the Friars, celebrated the occasion of the canonization of Blessed Padre Pio at Amalashram.

2002: A new parish Church in honour of St. Francis of Assisi was constructed and consecrated at V.K. Puram.

2002: The contract with the diocese of Tuticorin was signed. The Friary and the little coconut garden were given to the Province in perpetuity. The parish contract is renewable every 25 years.

2003: Kaviyalaya at Okkur became an independent Fraternity.

2003: Jeevanathi Friary at Sendamangalam was blessed by Rt. Rev. Singarayar, Bishop of Salem.

2003: "CLARES" (Capuchin Legal Awareness, Research and Educational Services) became a Fraternity in a house bought at Ponnagar, Trichy.

2003: A beautiful and monumental grotto in honour of Our Lady of Fatima was blessed in the Church premises at Gandhipuram, Coimbatore.

2003: The Extraordinary Chapter was held at Anugraha, Dindigul.

2004: A new Friary shaped in a quadrangle type was blessed at Thirumangalam.

2004: Post-novices, Regents, Philosophy and Theology students with the initiative and guidance of CFMMSSS launched rescue operations in Tsunami-hit villages in Kanyakumari, Nagapattinam & Cuddalore coastal belts.

2004: "AFFI" (Association of Franciscan Families, India) entrusted to the Tamil Nadu Capuchin Province the relief and developmental works of the Tsunami victims.

2005: Vidivelli Animation Centre became complete with the construction of the chapel, conference hall, library and refectory.

2005: The new Friary (St. Pio Fraternity) in Burkina Faso was blessed.

2005: The Election Chapter of St. Padre Pio Custody, Zimbabwe was held. Br. Ravi Irudayanathan was elected Regular Superior. Brs. Amirtharajan and R.I. Mariadass were elected councillors.

2005: The Infant Jesus Shrine and Parish Church at Vallam, Chingleput was consecrated.

2005: A monumental bell tower and a grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes were blessed at Sundampatti.

2005: A new Chapel was constructed and blessed at Surankuttai in Sundampatti Parish.

2005: The administration of the FST sisters, and Fatima Nagar Parish in Trichy Diocese were withdrawn.

2005: The new Chapel was blessed at Anugraha Animation Centre.

2005: The Eleventh Election Chapter was held and Br. John Antony was elected Provincial. It was the Golden Jubilee of Shanthi Ashram and Gandhipuram Parish.

2005: A contract was signed to take up the Parish of K.M.Kottai, Sivagangai diocese.

2005: Nochiodaipatti was erected a Parish along with two substations and was handed over to the Province.

2005: We took up the Parish of Our Lady of Good Health, Sendamangalam, in the Diocese of Salem.

2006: The Anugraha Trust was founded.

2006: A MOU was signed between Madurai Institute of Social Sciences (MISS) and Anugraha.

2006: Br. John Antony was elected a Definitor General in the 83rd General Chapter.

2006: Br. Alphonse Charles was appointed Provincial by Br. General in the place of Br. John Antony.

2006: The Extraordinary Provincial Chapter was held.

2006: Karunaikadal at Rameswaram was blessed by Rt. Rev. Susai Manickam, Bishop of Sivagangai.

2007: Two hostels (for boys and girls) were blessed at K.M. Kottai by Rt. Rev. Susai Manickam, Bishop of Sivagangai.

2007: A new School building at Arcot was blessed by Rt. Rev. Soundararaj Perianayagam, Bishop of Vellore.

2007: A new School building at Vannampati was blessed by Rt. Rev. Antony Pappusamy, Bishop of Dindigul.

2007: A Computer Centre for rural children was inaugurated at Anugraha, Nochiodaipatty.

2007: The Udhayam Polytechnic College at Thenkuda, Rameswaram, was blessed by Rt. Rev. Susai Manickam, Bishop of Sivagangai and Rev. Br. John Antony, Definitor General.

2007: CLARES had a formal restart with the blessing of a small Chapel and a grotto.

2008: The Twelfth Election Chapter held at Anugraha, elected Br. Alphonse Charles Provincial minister.

2008: Capuchin Sisters from the Philippines have set their foot in Rameshwaram beside the Capuchin house to implant their Order.

2008: Sangamam, the new house at Perugamani, was inaugurated.

2008: The Sacred Heart Primary School at Kallikudi near Thirumangalam was bought by the Province.

2008: A new Theologate, Francesco, at Vengankudi near Samayapuram, Trichy, was blessed by Br. Mauro Johri, the Minister General.

2008: St. Francis Ashram at Thiyagadurgam was inaugurated in the Archdiocese of Pondicherry-Cuddalore.

2008: Udhayam de-addiction Centre at Thenkuda, Rameswaram, was blessed and inaugurated.

2009: Our Theologate was shifted from Amalashram to Francesco.

2009: The Province took up the responsibility of running the 'Reaching the Unreached' (RTU), a social work organization in G.Kallupatti.

12.08.2009: Thiyagadurugam in the Archdiocese of Pondicherry was erected a mission Parish.

23-27.11.2009: 13th Extraordinary Chapter took place in Anugraha centre.

24.11.2009: St. Antony parish Church at Nochiodaipatti was consecrated.

2010 Feb: The cause of Peter Paradesi OFS has been taken over by the Diocese of Palayamkottai.

19.05.2010: James Kimpton Illam, a new Friary was blessed at G. Kallupatti.

29.07.2010: Anugraha College of Arts & Science in Nochiodaipatti was inaugurated.

Jan 2011: A new foundation was laid at the donated land at Karungulam, Rajakrishnapuram Parish, in the Diocese of Tuticorin near Kanyakumari. It is christened ‘St. Francis Mercy Home’. The Province owes a debt of gratitude to Mr. Sundar George of Nagercoil.

01-03.02.2011: The Election Chapter of St. Padre Pio Custody, Zimbabwe, elected Br. Kevin Gregory Gonsalvez as the Regular Superior.

16-20.05.2011: 13th Election Chapter elected Br. A. Charles Provincial.

Jan 2012: "Padony Illam" a house inclusive of 30 cents of land has been donated to us by Mr. Patrick and Mrs. Christine.

Jan 2011: A new foundation was laid at the donated land at Karungulam, Rajakrishnapuram parish, in the Diocese of Tuticorin near Kanyakumari. It is christened ‘St. Francis Mercy Home’. The Province owes a debt of gratitude to Mr. Sundar George of Nagercoil. 

Provincial Ministers of United Amala Annai Province

3. Bifurcation of Tamil Nadu Province

25.04.2012: The Decree of the division of Amala Annai Province, Tamil Nadu, into two different jurisdictions was promulgated at Amalashram. At the climax of the 40th anniversary of the Capuchin Province of Tamil Nadu, it was divided into two - South and North. 

• The South comprises the Dioceses of Ooty, Coimbatore, Dindigul, Sivagangai, Madurai, Palayamkottai, Tuticorin and Kottar. Mary Queen of Peace is Dindigul, Sivagangai, Madurai, Palayamkottai, Tuticorin and Kottar. Mary Queen of Peace is the patron of South Province. 

• The North includes the Dioceses of Trichy, Kumbakonam, Pondicherry, Chingleput, Chennai Vellore, Dharmapuri, Salem and Tanjore. The North Province retains the same patron  “Amala Annai” (Immaculate Conception) Rev. Br. Mauro Johri, our Minister General, announced the erection of the Provinces and appointed the Provincials and definitors.

28.10.2012: The Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes at Amalashram was blessed and inaugurated by  Rt. Rev. Dr.  F. Antonysamy, the Bishop of Kumbakonam.

29.08.2013: 4 acres of Land were purchased at Mamandur Village, Villupuram and the documents were signed.

06-09.02.2013: The First Provincial Chapter was held at Amalashram. The Statutes of our Amala Annai Capuchin Province were formulated & approved.

10.02.2013: The foundation stone was laid in Arcot for the new School building and was blessed by Br. Hubert Calas, the Provincial of France.

22.05.2013: St. Antony of Padua Parish at Sundampatti was given back to the Diocese of Dharmapuri.

08.12.2013: Burkina Faso Mission was declared a Delegation.

06.01.2014: The Fountain Institute as a Training Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy was started.

12.08.2014: Rt. Rev. Dr. Soundararaju, the Bishop of Vellore, blessed the extended block of St. Pio School at Arcot and Br. A. J. Mathew, the then Provincial opened the same.

04.12.2014: 30 cents of the Land was purchased at Kaduka Marathur, Yercaud and the Documents were signed.

05.12.2014: ‘The Fountain Institute’ at Vidivelli, Sundampatti had its official inauguration.

08.12.2014: For the first time, the Province Day was celebrated at Amalashram at the Province-level.

19-24.04.2015: The Second Ordinary Chapter was held at Amalashram. Br. Michael Fernandes, the General Councillor for India, presided over the chapter in which Br. John Antony was elected Provincial.

02.07.2015: The first formation house called ‘St. Joseph Friary’ was blessed and opened in Burkina Faso.

26.08.2015: A MOU was signed between Mrs. Christine Gomez - Mr. Patrick Gomez and Capuchins regarding the property of Capuchin Padony Illam. 

21-25.11.2015: It was the first Extra-Ordinary Chapter.

27.11.2015: The foundation stone of the Fountain Institute at Sundampatty was laid.

4.12.2015: The foundation stone of Alverna, Yercaud was blessed.

31.12.2015: The foundation stone was laid for the multipurpose hall at Infant Jesus Church, Vallam. :

25.01.2016: The Multipurpose Hall at St. Mathias Church was blessed & opened.

05.01.2017: Alverna Home at Yercaud was blessed & opened by Br.  Giampiero Gambaro.

07.01.2017: The Fountain institute was blessed & opened by Br. Giampiero Gambaro.

09.06.2017: St. Sebastian Church, Sivapuram, Kumbakonam was taken up by the Capuchins as a Mission Station.

25.06.2017: Capuchins took over the Jagan Madha Mariyal Alayam, Kanakammachathram Parish in the Archdiocese of Chennai.

16.08.2017: The new building at Padony Illam – to function as a counselling and psychotherapy Centre was blessed.

5.09.2017: Inaugural Ceremony of the cause of SoG. John Peter was celebrated.

10.09.2017: Ettukalpatty in the Diocese of Trichy was erected as a Quasi-Parish and given to us.

28.09.2017: We bought a land of 20.9 cents in Sri Rangarajapuram,  Sivapuram, Kumbakonam

20.02.2018: Blessing & opening of Infant Jesus Multipurpose Hall, Vallam.

23-27.04.2018: The second Elective Chapter, was held at Amalashram. Br. Michael Fernandez, General Councillor presided over the chapter. Br. A.J. Mathew was elected as the Provincial.

09.02.2019: The renovated Parish Church at   Senthamangalam was blessed and the new altar was consecrated by His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Singarayar, Bishop of Salem and was opened by Br. A. J. Mathew OFM Cap, Provincial Minister.

01.05.2019: Laying of Foundation stone for Bl. Solanus Casey Centre at Thalir, Provincial Animation Centre, Villupuram by Br. A. J. Mathew OFM Cap, Provincial Minister. St. Joseph Province of Detroit, USA Sponsors this project for the promotion of Bl. Solanus Casey's devotion in India and Asia.

14.07.2019: Blessing of renovated Prayer Hall at Infant Jesus Church, Vallam by His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Neethinathan, Bishop of Chingleput and was opened by Br. A. J. Mathew OFM Cap, Provincial Minister.

27.08.2019: Brs. Carlo Calloni, the General Postulator and Vice Postulator Antoine Haddad from Rome visited the tomb of Br. John Peter SAVARINAYGAM at Amalashram; inspected and scrutinized the devotion at the tomb.

03.09.2019: His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Antonisamy, Bishop of Kumbakonam blessed the renovated Church and consecrated the new altar at Amalashram. Br. A. J. Mathew OFM Cap, Provincial Minister opened the renovated Church. In the evening, His Grace, Most Rev Dr George Antonysamy, the Archbishop of Madras-Mylapore presided over the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations of the 'Indigenous Presence of Capuchins in Tamil Nadu'.

20.10.2019: To commemorate the event of St. Francis meeting the Sultan - 'Francis 800', - a Peace and Harmony Inter-religious Meeting was held at Amalashram. His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Chinnappa, the Archbishop Emeritus of MadrasMylapore presided over the function. The event was organized by members of AFFI (All Franciscan Families India) - Tamil Nadu Zone.

25-29.10.2019: The Third Extraordinary Chapter of the Province was celebrated at Vidivelli, Sundampatti.

03.12.2019: Most Rev. Dr. Antonisamy, the Bishop of Kumbakonam solemnly declared Br. John Peter SAVARINAYAGAM, OFM Cap., as "Servant of God" at Amalashram. It was a successful historical event in the Church of Tamil Nadu.

07.12.2019: The Silver Jubilee Celebration (1994-2019) of Amala Annai Parish (Amalashram) was presided over by Most Rev. Dr. Antonisamy, the Bishop of Kumbakonam.

16.06.2020: Shifted the 'Aspirancy' stage of Formation from Amalashram to Infant Jesus Friary, Vallam.

04.07.2020: Br. Simplice Z. BAZIÉ, OFM Cap., the first Burkinabé was ordained a priest in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

04.10.2021: The newly built block of ten rooms at Thalir, Capuchin Animation Centre, dedicated to Bl. Solanus Casey was blessed by Most Rev. Dr. Neethinathan, the Bishop of  Chingleput.

10.01.2021: The Third House dedicated to Padre Pio in Burkina Faso at Bissiga, in the diocese of Tenkodogo was blessed and opened by Most Rev. Dr. Prosper Kontiebo, the Bishop of Thenkodogo. Br. John Vianney was installed as the First Parish Priest of the new Capuchin Parish there.

25.03.2021: The Second phase of the Multipurpose Hall, kitchen and Chapel in Bl. Solanus Casey Block at Thalir, Provincial Animation Centre was blessed and opened by our elderly Friars Brs. B. Aruldass and Romuald respectively.

21.08.2021: Blessing of the renovated Church and consecration of the new altar at Kanagamachattram was presided over by His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. George Antonysamy, the Archbishop of MadrasMylapore and opened by Br. A. J. Mathew, OFM Cap, Provincial Minister.

30.08.2021: A new Chapel erected in Thennathiraiyanpatti the sub-station of Ettukalpatty was blessed and opened by Most Rev. Dr. Arockiaraj, the Bishop of Tiruchirappalli.

01-05.09.2021: The third Elective chapter was held at Poondi Madha Retreat Centre. Br. John Baptist, the General Councillor presided over the Chapter. Br. A. Anthonisamy was elected the Provincial Minister.

Provincial Ministers of Bifurcated Amala Annai Province, Northern Tamilnadu