The annual assembly of the Association of Franciscan Families of India (AFFI) ended on Feb 22 with a yearlong plan to revive the charism of their founder Saint Francis of Assisi. In the four-day event — attended by generals, provincials and other major superiors of Franciscans in India — marked the 800th anniversary of the meeting between St Francis with the Sultan of Egypt.

The Indian Franciscans plan to develop broad based dialogue — with God, with the poorest and with other religions – in the coming year.

The AFFI is a nationwide network of around 50, 000 men and women Religious who follow St Francis and St Clare. They serve society both in India and abroad as missionaries through 164 provinces from 55 religious congregations besides another network of laity under the Order of Secular Franciscans numbering 70,000. They work for the welfare of all, with special charism to be committed to the welfare of the least and the lost, through their apostolate of education, health and social uplift.