ST. PAUL FRANCISCAN ASHRAM

St. Paul Franciscan Ashram
Conventual Franciscan Friars
Vettukuzhakkavala, Erattayar Road
Kattappana P.O. 685508, Idukki Dt.
Kerala, India
Tel.: (0091 4868) 252368
 

HISTORY

The origin of St. Paul Franciscan Ashram, Kattappana in the eparchy of Idukki was as a filial house of Assisi Shanthi Kendra, Karukutty. The friary is named after St. Paul, the apostle as a tribute to our Mother Province in Malta for their love and concern for our mission since its establishment. The land consisting of nearly 3 acres was purchased and registered on May 25, 2006, and Friar Saviour Karamvelil was appointed to take care of the property and the house while serving as the assistant parish priest of St. Mary’s Church, Vellayamkudy to which parish we belong. Friar Saviour started living there together with a regent, Friar Felix Kandathinkara on July 03, 2006.

It took more than one year for the renovation of the old house and was inaugurated and blessed by Rev. Fr. Joseph Cilia OFM Conv., former Provincial Custos on Saturday, 01st September 2007 to commemorate the establishment of the Province of India. During the First Provincial Chapter of St. Maximilian Kolbe Province, Friar Shaji Kaniyaparambil was ap pointed as the new guardian of the new friary of which the canonical establishment is dated on January 25, 2008. St. Anthony’s prayer hall which is used for  Tuesday Ministries was blessed by Rev.Fr. Leo Payyappilly, Minister Provincial on September 06,2016. Besides, we built a shrine in front of our friary in order to mark the pilgrimage of the Relics of St. Anthony of Padua to India on February 20,2017.