New appointments, charismatic identity, and missionary prospects: the CCMSI Capuchin Conference outlines its operational guidelines in preparation for the 8th Franciscan Centenary and the Jubilee of the Capuchin Reform in 2028.
Trichy, India – From July 22 to 26, 2026, the Amala Ashram friary in Trichy, in the Province of North Tamil Nadu, hosted the Capuchin Conference of Major Superiors in India (CCMSI). The assembly provided an important opportunity for evaluation and planning, focused on leadership renewal, the coordination of joint activities, and the identification of the Order’s priorities within the Indian context.
Renewal of the CCMSI Leadership
During the assembly, Brother Brian Raymond Bandya, of the Province of Maharashtra, was elected president. Brother A. J. Matthew, of the Province of North Tamil Nadu, was re-elected vice president, while Brother Cyriac George, of the Province of Krist Jyoti in northern India, was appointed secretary.
In addition, the heads of the Conference’s main departments have been appointed, including formation, mission, finance, JPIC, OSF, research and publications, and media. The new organizational structure aims to strengthen coordination among the various circumscriptions, ensuring greater continuity and effectiveness in the implementation of shared initiatives.
Plenary Council and the Franciscan Anniversary
A significant portion of the proceedings was devoted to preparations for the Order’s upcoming Plenary Council (PCO). The participants reviewed the Instrumentum Laboris, emphasizing the need to foster a genuine participatory process capable of involving as many friars as possible from the various circumscriptions.
Preparations for the 8th centenary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi were also discussed in depth. The Indian circumscriptions are planning pastoral celebrations and social initiatives aimed at the faithful, the diocesan clergy, and members of other religious traditions, with the goal of presenting the Franciscan legacy in a meaningful way within India’s multireligious context.
Formation, Renewal, and Mission
A Pan-Indian meeting of post-novices is scheduled for November 2026 and will be attended by the General Minister. The theme will be “We Are Capuchins.” The event will officially launch a two-year program of renewal in preparation for the 2028 jubilee of the Capuchin reform.
The Conference reaffirmed the importance of deepening the Capuchin identity and charism by promoting more structured interprovincial collaboration. For the 2026–2027 biennium, meetings have been scheduled for vocations directors, lay brothers, provincial secretaries, OSF spiritual assistants, and provincial treasurers. Finally, the need to consolidate the missionary presence in the northeastern states of India was emphasized, while simultaneously addressing issues related to the self-sufficiency and financial sustainability of the missions.
Complemented by an educational visit to a center dedicated to fostering well-being and harmony with nature, the gathering marks a significant step in the process of preparing Indian Capuchin friars to face contemporary challenges. It reaffirms their commitment to preserving and bringing to life the legacy of St. Francis in the country through a qualified, fraternal presence that is attentive to the needs of society.