The Spirit of Assisi National Award is instituted by the Franciscan Centre for Peace and Dialogue (FCPD) with its office at Assisi Shanthi Kendra, Karukutty, Kerala, India. It is an activity of the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor Conventual who are the guardians of the Tomb and the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, “Known and revealed by many throughout the world as a symbol of peace, reconciliation and brotherhood” (John Paul II, 27-10-1986). The FCPD is committed to work for peace and walk alongside those “persecuted for the sake of justice” (Mt. 5:10).

The “Spirit of Assisi” that entered the world on 27 October 1986 when the most notable representatives of many of today’s world religions joined Pope John Paul II at Assisi, the city of St. Francis to pray together for peace motivates the Award. The “Spirit of Assisi” invites us to purify ourselves of prejudice, hatred, jealousy and envy. It invites us to strive to be workers of peace in through and deed with our minds and hearts turned toward the unity of the human family. This “Spirit” invites us to follow the example of St. Francis who embraced the leper, who made himself poor and minor, who sent his friars to announce peace to the world, who pacified the wolf of Gubbio, who met the Sultan of Egypt and who sang the marvels of creation.

The Spirit of Assisi National Award is established to give public recognition and encouragement to any person or institution in India who is contributing peace, justice, ecology, ecumenism, inter-religious dialogue and defense of human life. It consists of a memento, a citation and twenty five thousand rupees.