Early in 2024, I made the decision to apply for my Solemn Profession, and a date was set. However, our ways are not God’s ways, and the original date was changed to 17 September, the Feast of the Stigmata of St Francis of Assisi. This year is the 800th anniversary of the event, and I believe this change of date was God’s intention, that the Holy Spirit guided the council members towards the decision. What made it even more special was that Pope Francis visited Singapore five days earlier.
I began postulancy in 2017 and looking back, I realise that the Franciscan way of being an itinerant has been very real. Each year, I moved to a different Franciscan community in Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia and East-Timor, often not knowing the actual destination and simply trusting in God’s guidance. I believe this captures the real meaning of the word “itinerant” from the Latin “iter”, which means “way” or “journey”. Through my encounters with the Lord in everyone and everything along the way, my life has been gradually transformed.
God has never given up on me, even though my prayers often sound like complaints: “Lord, help me! O Lord, why? Lord, what should I do next? Lord, I’m not sure. Should I stop here?”. He continues to guide me to this way of life and especially to the Franciscan mission.
For me, the Stigmata of St Francis occurred because of his deep connection with Christ. It symbolises a union and confirmation of a relationship between a human being and Christ Jesus, sharing in his suffering and love. It is not just about physical marks but also about experiencing the reality of his wounds. As St Bonaventure saw it, Francis became “another Christ” not only because of the stigmata but because of how he related to others and all creation. He became a person of mercy, reconciliation, and peace, allowing himself to be completely embraced by the compassionate love of the crucified Christ. For the sake of love, he held nothing back and gave everything to the One he loved (Ilia Delio, Franciscan Prayer).
Professing my vows confirms my response to God’s love and my desire to give my life fully to him in the Order of Friars Minor. My Solemn Profession is not just a public declaration of my commitment to live the evangelical vows of obedience, with nothing of my own, and chastity. These vows guide and remind me that my journey is about faithfully living out the Rule of the Friars Minor, following the poor and crucified Christ, and recognising God in my fraternity, in the people of God, and in God’s creation.
Friar Marvin Voo OFM
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