OFM

History

In Dindigul, Tamil Nadu, India, OFM Franciscan Friars have been running the PAASAM – FLAME (Franciscan Life Affirming Movement for Empowerment (FLAME) since 2017 — a ministry dedicated to restoring dignity, health, and hope to some of the most vulnerable members of society. This peaceful mission centre is surrounded by a vast gooseberry farm, creating a natural environment of calm, serenity, and quietness — an ideal setting for healing and inner renewal.

Reaching Out to the Forgotten

Today, FLAME, locally known as Paasam, supports more than 800 men, women, and children living with HIV/AIDS every month. Many arrive after facing rejection from family, neighbours, workplaces, and society at large. Their wounds are not only medical but deeply emotional, shaped by stigma and exclusion. The OFM Franciscan Friars ensure that no one is left alone. They provide:

• Nutritious monthly food kits
• Essential medicines
• Counselling support
• Transportation to hospitals and treatment centres
• Emotional and spiritual accompaniment

The friars walk with each person, helping them to regain self-worth, inner strength, and the courage to continue their journey.

A Story of Renewal

Among those supported is a young person who has lived with HIV since early childhood. After losing a parent and being abandoned by the remaining family, this child experienced profound loneliness and despair. The emotional burden became so heavy that life itself seemed unbearable.

At this critical moment, the child was brought to the Paasam residence. Here, they found:

• Safety and acceptance
• Nutritious food and clothing
• Regular medical care
• A stable environment for education
• A community that offered love, respect, and dignity

This young person often says that the friars have given them “a second life.” Today, as they approach the completion of high school, they dream of stepping into the world with confidence and inspiring others to live with courage and dignity.

A Home for Children

As part of their mission, the OFM Franciscan Friars also run a Children’s Home for young residents in need of safety, support, and a nurturing environment. The home provides:

• A decent and quiet place for study
• Facilities for sports and physical growth
• Space for hobbies, creativity, and talent development
• Personal attention for each child’s education
• Emotional care, love, and guidance

The friars accompany each child with deep concern, ensuring they grow into confident, responsible individuals with a secure future filled with possibilities.

A Home for the Elderly and the Medically Vulnerable

The friars also serve the elderly and those unable to receive proper medical care at home. They run a shelter where these individuals are welcomed with compassion and treated with dignity. With the assistance of visiting doctors, residents receive:

• Regular medical check-ups
• Medication and appropriate treatment
• Continuous care and monitoring
• Comfort, companionship, and emotional support

In this home, no one is left to suffer in isolation. The residents are cherished and accompanied lovingly in their journey.

A Mission Rooted in Compassion

Through these ministries — supporting people living with HIV/AIDS, nurturing children, and caring for the elderly — the OFM Franciscan Friars continue to embody the Franciscan spirit of compassion. They choose to be present where pain is deepest and hope is most fragile, offering not just assistance but dignity, healing, and the promise of a brighter tomorrow.

Contact
Fr. Felix Vijay,
Director
FLAME (Franciscan Life Affirming Movement for Empowerment)
14/28, Spencer Compound,
Opp. Balaji Bhavan,
Dindigul - 624 003