REV. BR. FRANCES OCD OF ST. TERESA

(27-01-1904 to 25-04-1989)

Rev. Br. Frances OCD of St. Teresa, expired on 25^th April, 1989, at the age of 85 in 58^th year of his Profession.

Mària Antony, son of Gnanaprakasam and Varuvilal, was born on 27^th January, 1904 at Kattuvila, K.K. Dt. in the Diocese of Kottar. At the age of 24, he joined our Order of the Discalced Carmelites on 2^nd June,1928 at Carmel Hill Monastery, Thiruvananthapuram. After 6 months of Postulancy, on 10^th December, 1928, he received the Holy Habit of the Order received a new name Br. Frances OCD of St. Teresa at Carmel Hill, Thiruvananthapuram. He made his Simple Profession on 11^th December, 1930 at Carmel Hill and Solemn Profession on11^th December, 1933 at St. Elias’ Monastery, Thuckalay.

Rev. Br. Frances OCD was conventual at Thuckalay, Thiruvananthapuram and Ettumannoor. In all these Communities, he served as Sacristan and in charge of laundry. He was very diligent in the discharge of his duties. All appreciated his simplicity of life and devotion to work.

On 4^th December, 1988, he had a fall in the bathroom due to a Stroke, and broke one of his legs. His one side paralyzed. The Community members took him to the Cosmopolitan Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram for treatment. There he received the Last Sacrament.

As his condition improved, he was brought back to Carmel Hill. However, his condition deteriorated in the last week of April and on 25^th April, at 8.15 a.m., in the presence of Very Rev. Fr. Provincial OCD, Very Rev. Fr. Prior and a few brothers, he breathed his last.

The funeral was conducted at Carmel Hill on the following day, 26^th April, 1988. The funeral rites began at 9.00 a.m. The Mass was presided over by Very Rev. Fr. Provincial. A good number of priests, religious and laity attended the funeral. Rev. Fr. Bernardine Vallathara OCD preached the homily.

With the demise of Br. Frances, the curtain falls on the First Generation of the Malabar Province. However, his simplicity, dedication to work, spirit of prayer enlivened many people who approached him.  

+ May the Lord reward His faithful Carmelite Brother!!

                                            REQUIEM IN PACEM!!