Brothers and Sisters of OFS (Order of Franciscan Secular) and the Friars came together in St. Sebastian’s Church, Madhavaram-Chennai, India on 16 April 2023 to inaugurate the 800th anniversary of St. Francis receiving the Papal approval of the Rule for his Order and also of the first Crib that he made while celebrating Christmas in Greccio in the year 1223.
As St. Sebastian’s Parish was concluding its patron’s feast, this Franciscan Parish celebrated these centenaries together with its parishioners and devotees of St. Sebastian. The OFS members highlighted the significance of the event through a meaningful prayer service. The parishioners who took part in the event expressed their admiration and appreciation for the person of St. Francis and especially for gifting the world, the Franciscan Movement and “the Crib".
The Representations of St. Francis getting the Rule approved by the Pope and of the celebration of Christmas with a Crib were brought in a procession for the gathering to behold and be inspired.
Br. Xavier Durairaj OFM, Minister Provincial, who presided over the ceremony spoke briefly above these two events inviting the faithful to embrace the life vision of St. Francis as presented in the Rule and to embrace the Incarnation Spirituality as St. Francis did in Greccio.
Br. Michael Anand, the Parish Priest, has planned to hold different programmes throughout the year commemorating these events which will conclude with the grand ceremony in the month of December 2023.
