Provincial Minister
Rev. Fr. John Alwyn Dias, OFM Cap.,

Director
Rev. Fr. Dr. Salvador Fernandes, OFM Cap

Assistant Director & Program Coordinator
Rev. Fr. Henry D'Souza, OFM Cap.

Administrator
Rev. Fr. Robin Minin Lopes, OFM Cap.

Group Management
Rev. Fr. Noel Vinay D'Almeida

Staff Member
Rev. Fr. Preetham Rayan Mendonca

Staff Member
Br. Joseph Francis

About Us

About Franciscan Institute of Spirituality (FISI)
The primary objective of FISI is to help the participants revitalize themselves with the spirit of St. Francis by a live-in experience, an in-depth study of the Franciscan sources and other Franciscan themes of vital importance. A few other relevant topics essential to comprehend the deeper significance of consecrated life are also included in the nine months’ Diploma Course in Franciscan Spirituality offered here. Interiorization and integration is the methodology followed in this Institute, which envisages a harmonious blending of spiritual animation, study, research and active community living in all its dimensions.

The programme divided into three Semesters oriented towards a Diploma in Franciscan Spirituality. The classes, each of an hour’s duration extend from Monday to Friday every week. Two hours are set apart for conference and singing practice on Saturdays except the day of recollection once a month. The participants are free to go for walks or visits on Sunday afternoons and for a day’s outing on the last Sunday of the month. No other commitments, travels, or social/community visits are to be envisaged by the participants.

The Pontifical University “Antonianum”, Rome has recognized the DFS offered at FISI as meeting prerequisites for admission to second year of Diploma Course in Franciscan Spirituality in the same university.

The Logo
Tau: Hebrew alphabet “T” pronounced “Tau” in Hebrew symbolized for St. Francis of Assisi the Cross of Christ, the instrument of salvation for the humanity and thus the Cross and the Crucified Christ became the centre of Francis’ Spirituality. St. Francis therefore made T/Tau/Cross the initial of his signature. Accordingly, the T/Tau/ Cross takes the central place in the logo.

The red color of the Tau: the Blood shed by Christ for the redemption of humanity.

Rays of the Sun: Behind the Cross and the Crucified Christ is the rising sun representing the Risen Christ and thus completing the Paschal Mystery, the summit of Christian faith. AS the light conquers darkness, Christ’s death conquers the darkness of sin and death bringing about joy and hope of a new life in and through the Spirit of Christ.

Two stigmatized palms: As St. Francis intensely meditated on the love of the Crucified Christ, and prayed for the grace of suffering in his own body the pain the Divine Saviour underwent on the cross for the love of the humanity, at La Verna he received the five stigmata or the wounds of the Crucified Lord on his two hands, feet, and his chest and Francis thus transformed into another Christ. The logo carries one palm of Christ crucified the other palm is that of St. Francis, who became another Christ through his total Lady Poverty, humility and charity. Both these hands are in their own way the source of peace, reconciliation, forgiveness and brotherhood, hope and unity for the world.

The Chestnut brown background: represents the Franciscan habit or the color of the garb which St. Francis adopted for him and his followers. This garb with a chord was the dress of ordinary agriculture worker which Francis exchanged for his princely dresses belonging to his biological father, Peter Bernadone, the rich cloth merchant.

The Cord: The Franciscan dress includes a white cord with three knots, symbolizing the three evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience. The cord binds into unity all the members of the fraternity.

Franciscan Institute of Spirituality in India: The Capuchin General Minister Br. Roberto Carraro laid the foundation stone for this Institute of Franciscan Spirituality in India at Bangalore on 25 Jan 1991 and inaugurated it on 7 Dec 1993 with the blessing of the Arch- Bishop of Bangalore, Most Rev. Dr. Alphose Mathias.

Lord Make me an Instrument of Peace: These are the words of the famous Peace Prayer attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, the United Nations’ Patron of Peace and Ecology. The Peace Prayer of Francis is the vision and mission of Franciscans all over the world. Where there is hatred let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy….!

Prabhuve Maadu Enna Shanthi Sadhana: This is the transliteration of the above prayer, Lord Make me an Instrument of Peace in Kannada the State language of Karnataka, India. The word Shanthi in Sanskrit means peace and so also Sadhana in Sanskrit means an instrument. From this derives the name of the Institute “Shanthi Sadhana”. This Institute through its members, through its ministry and service, through its Franciscan spirituality strives to spread the message of universal peace.

About Franciscan Institute of Spirituality (FISI)
The primary objective of FISI is to help the participants revitalize themselves with the spirit of St. Francis by a live-in experience, an in-depth study of the Franciscan sources and other Franciscan themes of vital importance. A few other relevant topics essential to comprehend the deeper significance of consecrated life are also included in the nine months’ Diploma Course in Franciscan Spirituality offered here. Interiorization and integration is the methodology followed in this Institute, which envisages a harmonious blending of spiritual animation, study, research and active community living in all its dimensions.

Shanthi Sadhana: FISI: An Overview
Shanthi Sadhana, Franciscan Institute of Spirituality, India (FISI), Bangalore, is a unique centre of study and research with live-in experience of integrated, holistic spirituality – a blend of prayer and interiorisation, with close harmony of fraternal bonds with each other and with a bountiful panorama of Nature. This Franciscan Capuchin International Institute with about 80 self-contained individual rooms in a typical Indian ashram cum religious convent setting amidst lush ecological flower and fruit gardens creates an ideal ambience for community living as well as for personal study and reflection, even with a cave experience.

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