The friary Arpan, at Munda Tola in Lathikata is situated about 17 kms from Rourkela, in the district of Sundargarh, Odisha. Three former provincials, Br. Joseph Prasad Pinto, OFM Cap. (1996–99), Br. John Joseph D’Almeida, OFM Cap. (1999–2002), and Br. Aloysius Noronha, OFM Cap. (2003–08), were searching for a suitable plot of land for a Post Novitiate house in the province.​

         During this time, the Diocese of Rourkela succeeded in rectifying all the land papers at Lathikata, and an agreement was reached between the province and the diocese. Rt. Rev. Alphonse Bilung, SVD, the then Bishop of Rourkela, handed over a plot of land to the province in 2003, the Provincial Council decided to construct the Post Novitiate house at Lathikata.​

        Br. Yesudas Kalicheran, OFM Cap., began the construction of the boundary wall on June 17, 2003, and completed it on August 16 of the same year. He also took up the work of putting up a temporary residence and began staying there from September 20, 2003. The construction of the friary building began in 2004 and was completed in 2005, after which it was blessed by the Bishop of Rourkela.​

        In this formation house, post novitiate formation was conducted for a couple of years. Thereafter, the friary began to serve as a Candidate House, where aspirants come and stay for a year to prepare themselves before going for their pre-university studies. Candidates who join after their pre-university studies also spend time here in preparation for the initiation into postulancy.​

        The formator friars dedicate themselves to preparing the candidates intellectually, socially, and spiritually. The candidates are taught basic English grammar and spoken English. They are also introduced to the Capuchin way of life, especially through the life story of St. Francis of Assisi, the holy founder, and are gently initiated into the spirit and charism of the Order