By Fr Cajetan Lourenco OFM (M.A. MCJ), Parish Priest
The Franciscan Friars at St Anne’s Friary, Ponda Goa, celebrating the golden presence of our friars with grateful and thankful hearts. Many of you have personally experienced friars’ humble beginnings. Our Franciscan friars (OFM-friars minor or grey friars) were humble and simple friars, with the spirit of mendicant order founded by St. Francis of Assisi (1182-1226).
St. Francis, son of a wealthy merchant, despite the wishes of his wealthy father, Francis abandoned his privileged lifestyle. He devoted himself to a life of poverty and preaching. Many of our Franciscan friars, who lived and worked here, have left behind the spiritual gold, for people to treasure. I remember and pray for all the friars who are no more with us. In early sixties, many of the friars who worked in this church have gone through lots of hardship. The hardship never stopped friars from reaching out to people needs. Late Fr. Blaise Lobo OFM worked in private factory to get financial help for the boarding boys of the friary. Late Fr. Paul Fernandes OFM, Late Fr. Cornelius D’Souza OFM and many more, although, they lived the vow of poverty, they were very rich with hearts full of spiritual gold.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
The golden Jubilee celebration is an occasion to thank God. Above all, to present to Him, our golden moments which we have been treasuring for so long. I am privileged to be a Franciscan. Not because its name and fame. But what attracted me to be a Franciscan is this- just mention a very few things: Simplicity and Humility of friars. A sincere love for people and environment. A happy and joyful attitude of the friars. The friars, with whom I came in contact, have changed my mind set and my life style, especially the friars of the bygone years who are no more. In fact, they are the ones who enlightened the grey matter of my mind and made it into a source spiritual gold.
Let this event not end with golden jubilee celebration, but be an occasion to cherish and carry forward these golden values for years to come. Not forgetting the spiritual gold of St. Francis of Assisi, at the same time, the spirit and golden hearts of Franciscan friars who were real Friars Minor in the society.
