History
The site of Bethlehem Ashram was donated to us by the late Rev.Fr. John Kizhakooden. An adjoining plot was donated by Mr. Joseph Plackal, father of Br. Paul Dayanand OFM Cap. The foundation stone of the chapel was laid on 13th August, 1962. Br. Gerard who was then the Guardian of Calvary Ashram, Thrissur was asigned with the responsibility of building the chapel at Elinjipra. He worked very hard to build the chapel and it was completed and blessed on 13th May, 1963. Br. Gerard was succeeded by Br. Renatus who, in turn was succeeded by Br. Henry. The latter built an extension to the old building, and was looking after the chapel and ashram for some time. The present ashram building was built by Br. Athanasius and it was blessed on 1st May, 1971. A new block was added to it in the year 1993 under the supervision of Br. Marialal Manjaly. With the establishment of St. Thomas Province on 25 October 1999, it was decided that the minor seminary of the province be built at Elinjipra. Under the supervision of Br. Joseph Anil Panamkoodan, then Guardian of Bethlehem the seminary was built and blessed. The official inauguration of the seminary was on 3 July 2000. Br. Maria Lal Manjaly was appointed the first rector.

Inmates

Br. Paul Madassery (Guardian & Parish Priest)
Br. Antony Chirayath (Rector & Vicar)
Br. Justinian Cherupallikat (Staff)
Br. Antony Chittilappilly
Br. Lijoy Chirienkandath (Asst. Rector)
Br. Shaju Vadakkan (Procurator)
Br. Treejo Chackkalackal (Dean of Studies)

It was Bishop George Alappat who invited us and gave us permission to open a house at Thrissur. The plot of land for the Ashram was given to us by Chev. Injodikaran Iyyappan at a very nominal price and he also helped us substantially towards the construction of our Chapel.

The foundation stone of the chapel was laid on 27th Feb., 1955 and on 14th Sept., 1958 the chapel was blessed and the altar consecrated by His Excellency George Alappat. The friary and the chapel were built by Br. Athanasius and Br. Gerard. Br. Gilbert, Br. Samuel, Br. Jeremias, Br. Cosmos and Br. Thomas Kalappura were the other members who joined them.

In 1961, the friary was constituted a study house of Philosophy. To house the students, a large extension was put up by Br. Gerard and it was blessed on 31st May, 1961. From then on it was the house of Philosophy and in 1972 it was declared one of the common study houses (Philosophy) of the four Indian Jurisdictions.

It ceased to be a common study house of the Indian Jurisdictions from the scholastic year 1981–1982. From 1 July 1981 it started functioning as the combined Philosophate and Theologate of St. Joseph Province, Kerala. But Theology was later shifted to St. Francis Theological College, Thellakom, Kottayam in 1986.

With the bifurcation of St. Joseph Province into two in 1999, the administration and management of Calvary Philosophical College fell into the hands of St. Thomas Province, Kerala. However, it continues to be serving the three jurisdictions of the Syro Malabar Rite in Kerala provinces imparting Philosophical training to their students.

Inmates

Br. Raphie Paliakara (Guardian & Rector)
Br. Joseph Anil Panamkoodan (Vicar & Director, Calvary Social Centre)
Br. Vitalis Ponnor
Br. Cletus Elavuthinkal
Br. Francis Alapatt
Br. George Menachery (Asst. Rector & Dean of Studies)
Br. Ranjit Pulikkan (SFO, Thrissur)
Br. Paul Muringathery
Br. David Francis (Staff)
Br. Jose Edattukaran (Staff)
Br. Antony Thekkiniyath (Asst. Director, Social Centre & Staff)
Br. Joshy Vasupurathukaran (Procurator)
Br. Jaison Kalan (Staff)

The sixth Election Chapter of March 1990 had endorsed and passed the suggestion of starting a hermitage according to the rule of St. Francis. Br. Francis Alappatt, the originator and proponent of the idea, was deputed to execute this project. A plot of land was purchased at Vellarampadam, Mupliyam, in the diocese of Irinjalakuda, and a building was erected there under the supervision of Br. Francis Alappatt. It was blessed by Br. Thomas Jacob Thekkumkattil, Provincial Minister on 23rd May, 1993.The request of Br. Francis Alapatt for a chapel attached to Dhyanasharam was sanctioned and the foundation stone was blessed by Br. Provincial on 6th April 1995. The completed chapel was blessed and inaugurated by Mar James Pazhayattil, Bishop of Irinjalakuda, on 18th August 1996.

Main Ministry: Prayer House, SFO.

Br. Jose Paul Pullokaran (Guardian)
Br. Davis Thottappilly (Vicar & Procurator)

History Our present house is the second Capuchin foundation in Aluva. The first one, called Assisi Friary, which was solemnly blessed on 28 April, 1937, was freely given over to the cloistered Poor Clares in 1942 when they had to flee from Burma during the World War II.

Nazareth Ashram was started by Br. Ignatius and was built by him. His Eminence Joseph Cardinal Parekattil graciously invited us and gave permission to start a house in the Archdiocese. Aluva was found suitable for a friary and the present plot of land was donated by late Dr. P.J. Thomas. Br. Ignatius, Br. Julian and Br. Donatus were the first friars at Aluva and they worked tirelessly to put up the building. The foundation stone of the chapel was blessed on 30 Aug. 1962. The house was made the Provincialate in 1972. However, in July 1977 the Provincialate was transferred to the adjacent Ashram. Again from October 25, 1999, to April 15,2002, it functioned as the Provincialate of St. Thomas Capuchin Province.

Inmates

Br. Raphael Kannanaickal (Guardian)
Br. Thomas Christi (Vicar)
Br. Paul Dayanand Plackal
Br. Paul Adambukulam (Franciscan Retreat)
Br. Aloysius Panickaparambil (Procurator)
Br. Jaison Perumaden (Director, Friendship House)

History
The suggestion for a separate Provincialate was approved by the Election Chapter of 1975. Though a plot of land adjacent to Nazareth Ashram was bought for the purpose, it was not found very convenient. Hence, with the approval of the Extraordinary Chapter of 1976, another plot in Aluva was bought in 1977. All the arrangements for the purchase of the new plot was made by Br. Ignatius.

On 3rd July, 1977, the feast of St. Thomas the Apostle, the Provincialate was shifted from Nazareth Ashram to the new place.

The formal inauguration and blessing of the new Provincialate was done by His Eminence Joseph Cardinal Parekattil, Archbishop of Ernakulum, on 1st October, 1977, and it was then canonically erected into an ashram. It served as the Provincialate of St. Joseph Province till the bifurcation. When on October 25, 1999 the two new provinces, St. Joseph and St. Thomas came to be, the Provincialate belonged to St. Thomas Province; but till April 15, 2002, it was used as the Provincialate of St. Joseph Province, Kerala. On April 15, 2002, the Provincialate of St. Thomas Province was shifted from Nazareth Ashram to St. Thomas Capuchin Provincialate.

Main Ministries: Provincial Curia, Pastoral, Friendship House Trust.

Inmates

Br. Francis Christi Vattakuzhy (Provincial Minister)
Br. Xavier Christi Pallikunnath (Vicar, & Secretary )
Br, Hilary Chirienkandath
Br. Harshajan Pazhayattil ( Prajyoti Niketan, Pudukad)
Br. Gasper Kavunkal
Br. Joseph Kalapparambeth (Provincial Procurator)
Br. Simon Cheruvathur
Br. Sebastian Vadakkan
Br. Wilson Kodungookaran (Vocation Director)
Br. Fernanto Jose Panengatte (Asst. Provincial Procurator)

History
Brs. Francis Ponnumpurayidom and Jos Peter Ponnor started Sahrudaya Bhavan in 1987 as a Presence, with the permission of the then Provincial Br. Stephen Jairaj. The house started functioning in a temporary building in the land owned by Mr. Narayanan Pallath. Later in 1996 it was shifted to the adjacent plot of land (12.5 cents) bought for the purpose by Mr. Jose Alukkas. A multi purpose hall in the plot was blessed by Mar James Pazhayattil, Bishop of Irinjalakuda on July 21, 1996. Later in 1998, Mr. Antoo Alukkas helped to buy another plot of land (38 cents) just nearby for the purpose of social work and both the plots were handed over to the Province. It continues to be a presence. Presently Sahrudaya and its related activities are under the supervision of Capuchin Provincialate, Aluva.

Main Ministries: Pastoral, Self-help group formation programmes, Periodical Exposure Programme Br. Francis Edattukaran (Brother in charge)

History
The Provincial chapter of 1993 decided to open an ashram in the Arch-diocese of Thrissur. Br. Jose Pullokaran was deputed to find a suitable site for the Friary. On 21 December 1994 a land of 5 acres belonging to two families, was purchased and registered in the name of the province. Mar Joseph Kundukulam of happy memory gave moral permission to start a Friary in his diocese. On 14th June 1997 the new fraternity of San Damiano was constituted and the foundation stone was laid for the new ashram.

When Bishop Mar Jacob Thoomkuzhy became the Archbishop of Thrissur he proposed to take up a parish along with the ashram. After the necessary negotiations with the Archdiocese Parish was taken up. On 3rd May, 1998, celebration of Sunday mass for the people began; Mass for the people began; on 24th January, 1999 it was declared a quasi-parish.

On 10th June, 1999 Archbishop Mar Jacob Thoomkuzhy solemnly made it a full-fledged parish, and appointed Br. Jose Pullokaran the first Parish Priest of St. George Church, Kurumal.

Main Ministries: Parish, Pastoral, SFO

Inmates

Br. Joshy Parappully (Guardian, Parish Priest)
Br. Thomas Puthur (Vicar)
Br. Jose Mundadan (Director Golgotha Retreat Centre)
Br. Saji Vattakuzhy ( Procurator)

Inmate:
Br. Maria Lal Manajly: Guardian
Br. Anil G. Plackal (Vicar & Procurator)
Br. K.T. James

On 11 July 2007 a new Capuchin house, named San Joe Capuchin Ashram at Thalapara in the Archdiocese of Ernakulam – Angamaly was blessed and inaugurated by His Excellency Mar Thomas Chackiath, the Auxiliary Bishop of Ernakulam – Angamaly Archdiocese. This ashram at the southern end of the Archdiocese, where we did not have a Capuchin Presence, has already begun very much involved in the pastoral carte of the people.

Main Ministries: Pastoral & SFO

History
The Provincial Chapter of 1987 had decided to erect a provincial infirmary to cater to the needs of the old and sick friars. A plot of land consisting of 80 cents was purchased at Perumbavoor for the purpose. Br. Jacob Kurisinkal was deputed to build the Ashram. The house was blessed by Most Rev. Br. John Corriveau, our Minister General, on May 12 1996.

Main Ministries: Pastoral, SFO.

Inmates:

Br. John Menachery (Guardian)
Br. Joseph Thyagaraj (Vicar)
Br. Hyacinth Kochery
Br. Timothy Moothedath

Hisotry
The Chapter of 1987 had decided to open a house in the diocese of Palakkad. A 2.53 acre of land was purchased near Palakkad town at Pattikara, with the intention of starting a house. Br. Gerard was deputed to build the new Ashram. On inquiry it was found that the land was not suitable for the construction of an Ashram. Therefore, another plot of land was purchased in Mundur near Palakkad, and a modest building was put up on the new site under the leadership of Br. Gerard. It was blessed by Mar. Joseph Irumpen, the Bishop of Palakkad, on February 5, 1991.

The Renewal Centre attached to Sinai Ashram has become one of the best apostolic activities of our province in the diocese of Palakkad. Br. Paul Adambukulam is to be appreciated for his initiative and hard work. Every Saturday a big crowd gather at Sinai Renewal Centre. Now the centre has become all the more significant because it has grown to be an institution with great reputation.

Br. Francis Neelankavil had started some preliminary work in the town property at Pattikara between 1993 – 1996. In 1999, after the establishment of the St. Thomas Province, the Provincial Definitory entrusted the construction work to Br. Francis Edattukaran. A substantial help was received from the Swiss Province for the building.

A two storeyed beautiful multi-purpose building-Capuchin Sevanalayam-was inaugurated by our Br. General and blessed by his Excellency Mar Jacob Manathodathu, Bishop of Palakkad, on April 4, 2002. Presently it serves as the home for the abandoned and the destitute.

Main Ministries: Pastoral, Renewal Centre, Social Centre, Rehabilitation Centre at Pattikara.

Inmates:

Br. Lotus Malekudy (Guardian)
Br. Peter Vettickanakudy (Vicar, Director of Sinai Renewal Centre)
Br. Regi kallely (Economo, In charge of Sevanalayam)