Persaudaraan Kebangsaan yang Sedang Membangun (Emerging National Fraternity) bagi Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) Malaysia baharu sahaja melangsungkan Chapter Elektif Kebangsaan kali ketiga pada Mac 28, 2026 di Pusat Retret Pace Bene, Purak.
PAPAR: Persaudaraan Kebangsaan yang Sedang Membangun (Emerging National Fraternity) bagi Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) Malaysia baharu sahaja melangsungkan Chapter Elektif Kebangsaan kali ketiga pada Mac 28, 2026 di Pusat Retret Pace Bene, Purak.
Proses pemilihan telah dipengerusikan oleh Francis Park OFS, Kaunselor Presidium CIOFS, dan disaksikan oleh Friar Stefan Acatrinei OFM Conv, Pembimbing Rohani Umum (General Spiritual Assistant).
Keputusan Pemilihan Majlis Kebangsaan (2026-2029) ialah jawatan Minister disandang oleh Harry Lawrence Bagguan, Mario Richard Peter selaku Vice Minister, Dympna Richard (Formator), Agatha Karen Diwol (Setiausaha), Julian Kuliling (Bendahari), Juru terjemahan bahasa disandang Jennifer Ann Michael Savrimuthu, Harry Lawrence Bagguan terpilih sebagai Kaunselor Antarabangsa, Councillor Mario Richard Peter (Sub Vice-Councillor).
Kesemua ahli majlis yang terpilih telah menyatakan persetujuan mereka untuk menerima mandat tersebut. Dokumen rasmi ini telah disahkan oleh Setiausaha Chapter, Lindey Easter Apolonius dan Claude Olivia E Jakim, serta diperhatikan oleh jurukira undi (scrutineers), Rachel Anthony dan Jennifer Ann Michael.
At Pentecost, we are invited to reflect on what Francis calls the “holy operation” of the Spirit within our lives (Later Rule X, 8). The Holy Spirit is the key that opens the meaning of every virtue, every passage of Scripture, and every human encounter.
Francis believed that because God is Spirit, He remains fundamentally invisible to the “eyes of the flesh”. To recognise the presence of Christ – particularly in the Eucharist – one must possess “spiritual eyes”. Without this internal illumination, we see only bread and wine, or merely the flaws of our neighbour.
For Francis, the “vivifying Spirit” is what enables us to know, believe, and truly “see” the Lord acting in our lives. It is an invitation to a faith grounded in a deep, interior awareness of God working beneath the surface of ordinary life.
Perhaps the most mature aspect of Franciscan spirituality is the distinction between the “Spirit of the Lord” and the “spirit of the flesh”. For Francis, “the flesh” refers not only to bodily desires but also to the ego – the “private will” that seeks to own its virtues and claim credit for goodness. True poverty of spirit, he taught, is found in those who do not “appropriate” their own will (Admonitions 2). In contrast, the Spirit of the Lord leads the believer toward a “pure and simple peace” and a humility that does not seek recognition. In this light, our mission is not something we accomplish for God, but something we allow God’s “holy operation” to accomplish through us.
Francis warned against a purely intellectual or “scientific” approach to faith, saying that “the letter kills, but the spirit gives life” (2 Cor 3:6, Admonitions 7). True wisdom, for him, is the Son of God living within the believer, and the Spirit is the true interpreter of the Divine Word. It is only through “putting into practice” what we hear that we can move from “knowing words” to “becoming the Word”.
Finally, the Spirit unifies the diverse gifts within the body of Christ. While there are many graces and ministries, there is only “one and the same Spirit” who works everything in everyone (1 Cor 12:4-6). In his later years, during a time of great trial, Francis received a revelation that the Spirit was the true founder and “governor” of his Order. This was his ultimate act of surrender.
As we celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit, we are called to “desire above all things” to have this Spirit of the Lord working within us. Francis’ legacy invites us to set aside the desires of the flesh, open our “spiritual eyes” and let the breath of God renew us. Only then can we share the mission of repairing our broken world.
L-R: Friars Byron Chamann and John Wong from the General Curia with Friars Angelito Cortez, Benedict Chu, Albinus Ekka, Elson Singzon, Elimark Cruz, Francesco Li, Derrick Yap, Lucio Park, and Antonio Kim in the St Anthony Friary chapel.
Representatives from the communication offices within the Franciscan Conference of Asia and Oceania (FCAO) gathered in Singapore in April to discuss how they can become a network of communicators serving the Franciscan mission.
From 7 to 10 April, the 16 participants – attending in person and virtually – discussed topics including brand identity and messaging, the use of social media for entity and personal communication, collaborating on FCAO communications, and the use of artificial intelligence (AI).
The meeting, held at St Anthony Friary, began with each friar sharing the communications work of his entity and the challenges faced. Several common challenges emerged, including limited resources, multilingual work, internal coordination and digital presence. The discussion that followed revealed potential synergies that could be achieved through cooperation and collaboration.
In the afternoon, consultant Karen Goh led a workshop on brand identity and messaging. She outlined criteria for defining and communicating an organisation’s identity effectively across different channels and contexts, stressing that clarity and consistency are essential for building trust and upholding the mission. In an exercise she facilitated, the group developed a set of draft key messages to describe FCAO and its common projects.
On 8 April, the assembly examined in depth the document “Incipe Iterum” through a dialogue aimed at discerning criteria for an authentically evangelising digital presence. During his presentation, Friar Byron Chamann emphasised that these guidelines approved at the Order level were a framework of reference and asked each entity to develop its own protocols, sensitive to local culture and regulations, including working in teams that include lay experts. He also asked that they consider integrating digital formation into their formation programmes.
The following day, the group discussed collaboration between the FCAO and the General Curia’s Communications Office, proposing concrete measures to strengthen the exchange of news, photographs and resources between entities and conferences. Led by Friar Byron, the discussion highlighted the importance of institutional communications, the need for verification of sources and coordination with superiors, as well as the importance of strengthening links and references to the Order’s official channels.
In the afternoon, Friar Angelito Cortez spoke of the need for collaboration among the communications offices within FCAO, pointing out that the Franciscan digital presence is weakened when voices are fragmented and capabilities are uneven across entities. He proposed moving from simple cooperation to deeper collaboration, with clear projects and shared criteria, and encouraged stronger networking, including the improvement of common platforms and channels of exchange.
On the final day, Friar John Sekar led a discussion on the use of AI in journalism and social media. He highlighted that alongside the opportunities AI offers for daily work are ethical risks such as disinformation, the erosion of critical thinking, the protection of privacy and image rights, and the ecological impact of technology. He urged the promotion of responsible and transparent use in the service of truth and the common good.
The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue strengthening the FCAO network of Franciscan communicators, to share resources in a coordinated manner, and to foster a form of communication that, with sobriety and hope, reflects the fraternity and mission of the Friars Minor within local Churches and in the care of our common home.
The name alone sets the tone for a relaxed, hassle and pressure-free evening. “Chill out with the Friars” is held at St Anthony Friary in Bukit Batok every two months. Young men aged 18 to 35 are invited to come, listen and learn from the friars of the Custody of St Anthony (Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei).
The format is simple, allowing the young men to meet and explore without pressure the faces that make up the Custody. The evening begins at 6pm with a simple one-dish meal I prepare with the help of other friars. Over dinner, the young men get to speak with the friars informally about their ministry or responsibilities.
They also get to meet other young men on the same journey of exploring their vocation. They may even recognise some of them from other vocation events of the Archdiocese or other religious Orders.
That is fine and it is great that these young men have the freedom to explore and discover their true calling and the particular charism that suits their own life experience and personality. My own take on discernment is to have the capacity to choose. This freedom to choose implies choices that the young men allow themselves to consider and not be closed off to any promptings. Freedom of choice must be paramount if we are to respect the young men and what God has put into their hearts; not what we would like to put into their hearts!
The casual setting over dinner gives way to a slightly more formal presentation by one of the friars sharing his ministry or vocation story. There is time for questions and other friars may also respond to the easy, free flow questioning.
The presentation topics vary and on other months, the focus could be, for example, on Franciscan Spirituality. For any young man who chooses to explore a Franciscan consecrated life vocation, it is essential that the person of St Francis and his vision of ecclesial life and spirituality inform his discernment. These evenings may be a primer to Franciscan Spirituality which they can read about on the Internet or in books.
The evening closes with Night Prayer at 9pm in the friary chapel. The Office of Compline from the Divine Office is celebrated and our friars in formation introduce our guests to the experience of Choral Prayer.
The programme ends here since these chill outs are typically held on Sunday evenings and some might have an early start the next day. However, those who wish to continue conversing are welcome to adjourn to our dining room for a cup of coffee or tea.
We invite any young men who would like to know more about the Order of Friars Minor to take note of these upcoming dates for the rest of this year: 31 May, 26 July, 27 September, 22 November. Look out for the notices in our Facebook page.
