ASSISI SHANTHI KENDRA

Assisi Shanthi Kendra
Conventual Franciscan Provincialate
Assisi Shanthi Kendra
Karukutty - 683 576,
Ernakulam Dt., Kerala, India
Tel.: (0091 484) 2613449 - Friary
(0091 484) 2613353 -Provincial
Fax: (0091 484) 2613463
E-Mail: conventualsindia@gmail.com

HISTORY

Assisi Shanthi Kendra at Karukutty in Ernakulam District, Kerala in the arch eparchy of Ernakulam - Angamaly was canonically established as a friary on December 16, 1998 on an area of approximately eight acres of land. Fr. Joseph Cilia was appointed the first Superior of this house, which was erected to function as the Curia of the Custody. The foundation stone of the Friary was blessed by Fr. Joseph Cilia, Provincial Custos on March 19, 1998 while Mar Thomas Chakiath, Auxiliary Bishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly blessed the statue of St. Francis of Assisi as the foundation stone of the whole project on May 25, 1998 which was constructed on the plans of Architect Lalichan Sacaria from Ernakulam. The Friary was inaugurated and blessed by Archbishop Mar Varkey Vithayathil, Apostolic Administrator of the Syro-Malabar Church in the presence of Fr. Enrique Montero, General Definitor for FAAMC and Fr. Robert Agius, Minister Provincial of Malta. The first community began its presence at Karukutty on February 4, 1999. On December 8, 1999 the main Church dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi was consecrated and blessed by Archbishop Mar Varkey Vithayathil, Apostolic Administrator of Ernakulam-Angamaly as a memorial of the Jubilee Year 2000.

In various ways the friars render their service to the faithful to nourish them spiritually and to deepen their faith. Every Tuesday is dedicated for prayer and fasting. It includes the Adoration to the Blessed Sacrament, Breaking of the Word of God etc. The most important service they render is their full availability at the confessional which is made use by many. The compound of Assisi Shanthi Kendra includes also a Franciscan Centre in the spirit of Assisi. The foundation stone of the Franciscan Center was blessed by Fr. Joseph Cilia on March 19, 2000 and the first part of the building which included the Auditorium was blessed on November 8, 2000 by Fr. Enrique Montero, Definitor General for FAAMC in the presence of the Major Superiors OFM Conv of Asia and Australia. Fr. Alfred Calleja, Minister Provincial of Malta blessed the second part of the building of the Franciscan Centre on November 29, 2002.