The steady and vibrant growth of the Order in Tamil Nadu during the past 40 years has now come to the moment of bearing further fruits. The idea of the province’s bifurcation was initiated and reflected upon extensively from 2005 in various forums of chapters and provincial meetings. In view of a possible bifurcation of the Province, the General Definitory approved a pastoral visitation of the Province by Br. Peter Rodgers, the General Definitor and Br. Francis Christi Vattakuzhy. After consulting extensively, with individuals and groups at diverse levels, the General Definitory of the Order decided to establish two new circumscriptions (Prot. N. 00953/ 10, dated April 05, 2011).

The new Province has the Amala Annai (Immaculate Conception) as its Patroness. The boundaries of the Province of Northern Tamil Nadu will consist of the Archdiocese of Madras-Mylapore, the Archdiocese of Pondicherry & Cuddalore, and the Dioceses of Chingleput, Vellore, Dharmapuri, Salem, Kumbakonam, Tiruchirapalli and the Diocese of Tanjore, as it subsists at the moment of the promulgation of this decree. Udhayam polytechnic college, Thenkuda, in the Province of Southern Tamil Nadu is an extra territorial house belonging to the Province of Northern Tamil Nadu. Gnanalaya, Trichy, will be the proposed Provincialate.

The Province will be responsible for the Domus Praesentiae of Burkina Faso, and the collaboration with the Capuchin Province of Prance. It will also be available for service in the General Vice Province of Arabia.

Furthermore, it is established that an extraordinary provincial chapter s hall be held within one year at which all perpetually professed friars of the Province will participate (Const. I l l, §4). This Chapter shall discuss the life and the witness of the brothers, prepare a Statute of the new Province, and draw up capitular and electoral procedures for use In the elective chapter.