Formation in the Custody continued to develop in 2026 with the conviction that formation is not simply about preparing friars for ministry; it is about forming them for a life of Gospel discipleship, fraternity and mission.
A key undertaking of the Formation Council was the review of our Ratio Formationis Franciscanae, with a focus on strengthening Human Formation as the foundation for Christian and Franciscan formation. Human Formation seeks to help a person grow to manifest, as far as possible, the “human perfection which shines forth in the Incarnate Son of God” (Pastores Dabo Vobis, 43).
We are continually formed by our habits, environments, relationships and what James K A Smith calls our “formative micro-practices”. The question therefore is not whether we are being formed, but what we are being formed into. We are called to become more intentional about our daily lives and to ask whether they are helping us to flourish or, unintentionally, contributing to our malformation.
Similarly, in our review of the Vocation Interview Board and Psychological Testing processes, we are considering how our discernment processes can be grounded in a deeper understanding of human formation. An interdisciplinary Vocation Interview Board, bringing together expertise in psychology, educational pedagogy, law and Franciscan spirituality, can strengthen the integrity of vocational discernment.
Our discussions on psychological assessment have likewise emphasised a holistic approach. Beyond identifying mental health concerns and areas requiring growth, we also want to recognise the strengths, capacities and resources that candidates bring. Understanding a candidate’s history is equally important, particularly in discerning how his past experiences may shape his emotional and relational well-being within priestly and Franciscan life.
These reflections have already found concrete expression. From 10 to 13 August, the Guardians gathered in Kuching for formation on attachment needs, and community development and dynamics. The formation aimed to strengthen their capacity to serve as Guardians and to accompany friars in their human and fraternal growth.
Our Ongoing Formation programme has similarly focused on human formation, relationships and community dynamics, reflecting on how our presence makes sense within the Church and world today, and what it means to minister faithfully in Malaysia and Singapore. The Il Cantico community in Kota Kinabalu engaged in this process on 1 September. The next session will be with the community at Greccio Friary, our student house in Singapore.
In 2027, we hope to broaden the revision of the Ratio Formationis Franciscanae through collaboration between Formation, Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC), Mission and Evangelisation, and Professional Standards and Safeguarding. Each of these areas is an important part of our Franciscan life: JPIC flows from our Franciscan identity; mission flows from who we are; and safeguarding from our commitment to human dignity and communities where people can flourish safely.
The challenge is not simply to create better programmes or procedures, but to foster a culture of formation in which these dimensions come together in a coherent and mutually enriching way.
Ultimately, formation is about becoming. We are being formed every day. The question before us is: Who are we becoming, together, as brothers? And how might our becoming enable us to embody more authentically the beauty of the Gospel, the fraternity of Francis, and the hope of Christ in the world today?
Friar Aiden Jr OFM
Secretary for Formation and Studies
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