St. Ann’s Friaries is one of the oldest. It is in the heart of Mangalore town. A friary which is known to all people who come here for their spiritual needs. This friary has been always busy friary. The friars are involved in many activities and pastoral ministry. It is called a pastoral or ministry community. The friary has been always an important friary. It has been a formation house since many years. It also housed for years the candidates who did their schooling and later on joined the capuchins and other dioceses in India. Today the friary has many ministries like retreat preaching, charismatic healing, confessions and counselling. The friars are available for the people come throughout the day.The friars also run a printing press which over the years has become an important ministry of the friars. The old chapel is demolished and a new big and beautiful church is constructed with the efforts of Br. Peter Cyprian and the fraternity. Many people come here for Eucharist everyday. The Novena to Padre Pio is popular and many devotees from all over Mangalore throng here…..the Friars are also available for the pastoral ministries in the diocese. The house also has SFO and vocation promotion offices. The members comprise of senior and junior friars. The friary has an infirmary for the senior friars.
This evening around 5pm i arrived from Monte Mariano…..Br. Gerald accompanied me along with a local benefactor. The friars were all waiting to welcome and receive me. It was a warm and fraternal welcome that i received. I celebrated the evening Mass for the people in English. There were good number of people in the church. It is not a parish but the locals prefer to attend a Mass in the friary.
After the Mass i addressed the entire community with my opening talk. Some sharing with friars regarding the Order and the recent happenings in the Order. Tomorrow morning onwards i will start meeting the friars.
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