LATEST NEWS – CUSTODY

The Malaysian Franciscan Friars in our Custody of St Anthony Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei gathered as a group for the first time recently to pray, reflect, and discuss the fraternity’s future. Over two days, 15 to 16 January 2025, the 14 friars shared their struggles,...

In this issue, we feature our Custody’s two communities in Peninsular Malaysia – St James of the Marches Friary in Johor and St Peter of Alcantara Friary in Penang. Johor: St James of the Marches Friary The St James of the Marches Friary is in a diverse Johor Bahru...

Dearest Family and Friends, "Asia is growing” is an oft-repeated phrase among the Franciscan community. Indeed, looking at the growth in vocations in India, Vietnam, and Indonesia, we can see the growing Church in Asia. Of course, there are also entities, especially...

Nestled behind the Church of St Mary of the Angels in the Franciscan Bukit Batok Complex is a building most parishioners do not know exist – the San Damiano Friary and Franciscan Centre. The building was originally designed to house the Poor Clares (the contemplative...

Romans 12:2 reminds us, “Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.” This verse encapsulates the transformative journey I made through the...

Dear friends and benefactors, It’s that special time again when we intentionally look over the year that has passed and see where our journeys, especially our spiritual journeys, have taken us. We ask ourselves, “Where has God been in my life, and where is he leading...

When Friar Derrick Yap asked me to create a series of artwork based on The Canticle of Creatures for the 2025 Franciscan Calendar, my first response was “No, I can’t”. I was busy with other commitments, and I said to myself that “my art days were over”. But either he...

Dear friends and benefactors, We had a double celebration on 17 September 2024 – the 800th anniversary of the Stigmata of St Francis of Assisi on Mt Alvernia and the Solemn Profession of Friar Marvin Voo OFM. When Marvin applied for his Solemn Profession earlier this...