NEW DELHI, Jan. 30 -- Swamy Dayanand was a bare-footed friar minor. He was clad in saffron robe. He lived on the food people gave him as a pilgrim. He slept on the steps of a shop, verandas of the houses and the temple precincts. He even blessed those who let their dogs out on him. He was a Gospel missionary in the diocese of Bellary and its surrounding areas for more than 45 years. He breathed his last on 22 January 2023 in Bengaluru.

An OFM Franciscan Friar Priest, hailing from Kerala, baptized as Jose Malekudiyil changed his name to Swamy Dayanand and formally adopted the mendicant life like early Friars. It was a Call within the call. It was a courageous and daring step to live the Gospel, as a true son of St. Francis of Assisi. He ...