“Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death, from whom no one living can escape.” – St. Francis of Assisi, Canticle of the Creatures
The Franciscan Friars of Malaysia and Singapore join the universal Church in mourning the passing of our beloved Holy Father, Pope Francis.
In his life and ministry, he reflected the simplicity, compassion, and deep joy of St Francis of Assisi. He was a shepherd who walked with the poor, a voice for the voiceless, and a bridge-builder in a broken world. His words, actions, and humble spirit rekindled hope and reminded us all of God’s boundless mercy.
We give thanks for his life, his witness, and his fearless love for the Gospel.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.
The Stations of the Cross, or the Way of the Cross, is a familiar Lenten practice for many Catholics, with the stations prominently displayed in churches worldwide. At the Church of St Mary of the Angels in Bukit Batok, the stations are uniquely situated outdoors, marked on pillars around the piazza. However, what many parishioners may not realize is the deep connection between the Stations of the Cross and Franciscan spirituality.
Stephen Copeland explored this Franciscan link in an article published in St Anthony Messenger. He noted that the Franciscans “have long had a different approach to the cross, one that comes into focus during the Lenten season. Their perspective and influence are most evident in the weekly liturgical practice of the Stations of the Cross, which the Franciscans played a vital historical role in establishing.” Although the liturgy of the Stations—where participants pray and meditate upon 14 scenes of Jesus’ journey to Calvary—might not immediately seem aligned with the optimism inherent in Franciscanism, Copeland argues that its history can enrich contemporary Lenten practices and personal approaches to the cross.
Within the Franciscan tradition, the Stations of the Cross emerged as a Lenten devotion shortly after St. Francis returned from the Holy Land in 1221. Pilgrims to the Holy Land often brought back relics from Palestine, but they also carried a desire to recreate scenes from the sacred sites to share their experiences with those unable to make the journey. In 1342, the pope entrusted the Franciscans with the care of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre—where Jesus was crucified—and the Via Crucis (the Way of the Cross) in Jerusalem. From this point, the Franciscans began actively promoting the devotion of the Stations of the Cross.
During the 15th and 16th centuries, the Franciscans constructed outdoor shrines across Europe to replicate their counterparts in the Holy Land. In 1686, Pope Innocent XI granted the Franciscans the exclusive right to erect stations within their churches. This privilege was extended in 1731 by Pope Clement XII, who allowed all churches to have the stations, provided they were installed by a Franciscan father with the local bishop’s consent. An Italian friar, St. Leonard of Port Maurice, became a fervent advocate for this devotion. Between 1731 and 1751, he erected the Stations at 572 locations across Italy, including the Colosseum in Rome, earning him the title “preacher of the Way of the Cross.” It was during this period that the number of stations was standardized at 14.
By 1862, the right to erect the Stations was extended to bishops throughout the Church, solidifying the Stations of the Cross as a permanent and universal part of Lenten prayers commemorating Christ’s passion, death, and burial. Friar Jim Sabak OFM, a historian and professor, reflected on St. Leonard’s motivations, stating, “St Leonard was ministering and writing in the aftermath of the Reformation and the breakdown of Christianity. For him, to try to reunify Christianity was to remember this man, Jesus, who died … In praying the Stations, St Leonard was saying to focus on the one who holds us together, even in death … it was to be prayed so that you knew the anchor and root of our faith.”
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, hopes, and vision for the Malaysian Franciscan community, reaffirming their commitment to fraternity and mission.
The Malaysian Brothers Gathering, held at St James of the Marches Friary in Johor, began with Mass and Lauds before embarking on the three sessions planned for the first day. In Session One, the friars reflected on the theme “Where do we find ourselves?”. Many spoke honestly about the challenges of ministry and community life but recognised how God has been present in their journeys. The session emphasised the need for honest dialogue and mutual support among the friars.
Session Two focused on the future of the Franciscan presence in Malaysia, particularly the Tampasak Retreat Centre in Sabah. Custos Friar Derrick Yap encouraged friars interested in formation studies to prepare for service at the retreat centre, which will provide retreats, counselling, and formation for Secular Franciscans and others seeking spiritual guidance. The session highlighted the need for the vocation team to walk closely with young adults discerning their path in life.
Session Three addressed fraternal life. The brothers acknowledged the challenges of maintaining community life amid ministry demands and reaffirmed the importance of having at least three friars in a friary to foster fraternity and mutual support. Although resources are stretched, the commitment to living in brotherhood remains strong.
On the second day, the friars gathered in small groups based on age to share their personal reflections and hopes, and the support they needed. While the discussions revealed a range of perspectives as well as the challenges faced by each friar, there was a shared commitment to strengthening fraternity and supporting one another in mission. The gathering concluded with Mass and a farewell lunch.
Even with the challenges we face, I left the gathering feeling hopeful and touched. There was an openness and honesty in our sharing that reminded me of how important it is to be present for one another. If we continue to support and walk with each other, our fraternity will not only endure but thrive.
For Friar Marvin Voo, the gathering was an opportunity to understand his role in the community. Currently studying theology in Singapore, he admitted, “I feel like I can’t contribute much yet, but I will try to support the community in Johor by being present on weekends.”
The Malaysian Brothers Gathering was a reminder that our fraternity is built not just on shared ideals but on real experiences of walking together through struggles and sacrifices, joys and hopes toward a common vision for the future.
ABOVE (left to right): Jason Ng, Mark Lee, Friar Aiden Peter, Daniel Frances, Samuel Tan. Photo taken during community recollection at MacRitchie Reservoir.
A new chapter has begun for four young men. In a simple rite held during Morning Prayer and Mass on 11 January 2025 in the chapel of St Anthony Friary, Singapore, they were received into the Postulancy Formation Programme of the Custody of St Anthony Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei.
The Postulancy programme is a vital part of the initial formation process during which candidates receive special accompaniment from the Postulant Master and the fraternity as they seek to answer the call to follow Christ in the spirit of St Francis of Assisi.
Each postulant brings a unique journey of faith to this new chapter of their lives.
Mark Lee, from St Louis, Kluang, Johor, is the second of three children. Faith has always been central to his life, shaping his desire to serve God and others. Before joining the Postulancy, he was a lecturer and was active in his parish, where he experienced the joy of walking with others in their spiritual journeys.
Jason Ng, an only child, grew up in the Church of St Mary of the Angels, where he was in the choir for many years. Before joining the Franciscans, he was a Laboratory Executive in a research lab. His vocation was shaped by his encounters with the friars, as well as his involvement in Fraternitas and Franciscan Young Adults, which deepened his love for the Franciscan way of life.
From St Joseph Church (Bukit Timah) comes Daniel Frances. He is from a family of five and is passionate about food, travelling, and caring for animals and plants. Before joining the friars, he was a social worker assisting families facing challenges. Seeing the joy of the friars in their service to others inspired him to explore Franciscan life more deeply.
Samuel Tan moved to Singapore from Bandung, Indonesia at 16, and worked in the financial industry before joining the Postulancy programme. He has a deep love for nature, through which he experiences God’s greatness—much like St Francis in the Canticle of the Sun. The strong sense of fraternity within the Franciscan community and St Francis’ deep love for peace drew him to this vocation, with the hope of becoming a channel of God’s peace to others.
Guided by their formators (Cosmas Francis and myself), Mark, Jason, Daniel, and Samuel have embarked on a journey of formation, self-discovery, and deepening their baptismal commitment. Through personal and communal prayer, spiritual readings, development programmes, and seminary studies, they will be given the tools to embrace and embody the Franciscan values of fraternity and minority.
As they take these first steps, let us surround them with our prayers and ask the Lord to bless and guide them in their discernment. May their witness inspire others to listen to God’s voice and respond with courageous and generous hearts.
