St Anthony’s Bread (July 2025)
2nd Asian Franciscan Formators Training
The second cycle of the Asian Franciscan Formators Training (AFFT) officially began on June 16, 2025, with a Mass led by Br. Derrick Yap, OFM, Custos of Singapore-Malaysia and AFFT Coordinator. In his homily, Br. Derrick reflected on the inner struggles of formation ministry, reminding participants that “God alone is enough” and encouraging them to let God’s grace overflow into their service. Participants were invited to write down a special grace they had received and their hopes for the training – offering these as intentions for the journey ahead.
AFFT, launched in March 2024 and supported by the Franciscan Conference of Asia-Oceania (FCAO), is a formation program that blends online modules with two in-person residencies – in Manila (June) and Singapore (November). It emphasizes scriptures, interculturality, emotional formation, safeguarding, adult and digital pedagogy, tailored for the Asian context.
This batch includes 14 friars from Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Myanmar, and the Philippines. The first week is facilitated by Dr. Ignatius Chan, followed by Dr. Ed Caligner, with Dr. Josephine Chin serving as co-coordinator, all from Singapore.
AFFT continues to form compassionate, culturally aware Franciscan formators – rooted in both soul and structure.
Participants:
1. Br. Pio-Paul Ng, OFM (Hong Kong)
2. Br. Sixtus Peter, OFM (Malaysia)
3. Br. Crispus Mosinoh, OFM (Malaysia)
4. Br. Asep Cahyono, OFM (Indonesia)
5. Br. Wolfhelmus Apriliano, OFM (Indonesia)
6. Br. Raymond Yim Yeung, OFM (Hong Kong)
7. Br. Augustine Seng, OFM (Myanmar)
8. Br. Cosma Vu, OFM (Vietnam)
9. Br. Tuan Nguyen, OFM (Vietnam)
10. Br. Mark Gill Yongco, OFM (Philippines)
11. Br. Joey Donato, OFM (Philippines)
12. Br. Mark Joy Basallajes, OFM (Philippines)
13. Br. Rey Silme Silangan, OFM (Philippines)
Br. Makki Cruz, OFM
Source: OFM
Seventeen Brothers Admitted to the Novitiate in Solemn Rite of Initiation
Editorial Note from the Custody of St. Anthony – Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei
We are pleased to share this joyful news from the OFM Province of San Pedro Bautista, Philippines. Among the seventeen brothers admitted to the novitiate is Br. Maximillian Alexson Anak Michael Keriben, OFM, a member of our Custody. He is currently in the Philippines for his novitiate year with the wider Franciscan community. Let us continue to keep him and all the novices in our prayers.
Friar Maximillian receiving his novitiate habit.
Liliw, Laguna – May 29, 2025 — In a solemn and grace-filled liturgical rite, seventeen young novitiateofficially received into the religious life as novices during the Rite of Initiation at the Juan de Plasencia Novitiate House. The sacred ceremony, conducted during Midday Prayer, was presided over by Br. Lino Gregorio V. Redoblado, OFM, Minister Provincial.
As a visible sign of their commitment, the brothers were vested in the habit of probation, marking their formal entry into the Franciscan Order. With the blessing of the habit, they embraced a life dedicated to prayer, fraternity, and service, following in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi.
Upon the conclusion of the rite, Br. Lino entrusted the newly received novices to the guidance and formation of their novice master, Br. Mark Angelo Vito, OFM, who will oversee their spiritual and communal growth throughout their novitiate year.
The Province rejoices in this momentous occasion and offers fervent prayers that these seventeen brothers may persevere in their vocation, advancing in faith and devotion as they embark on their journey within the consecrated life.
Province of San Pedro Bautista – Philippines
- Br. Joery P. Abayon, OFMnov
- Br. Ronaldo M. Arevalo, OFMnov
- Br. Justine Don R. Cartaño, OFMnov
- Br. Jewel Ysmile L De Leon, OFMnov
- Br. Julius Cesar C. Macalit, OFMnov
- Br. Ralph Harvey A. Malaga, OFMnov
- Br. JC C. Quirong, OFMnov
- Br. Renz Adrian G. Ronda, OFMnov
- Br. Alfiyando Syahnafi, OFMnov
Foundation of St. Francis of Assisi – Myanmar
- Br. Charles Ko Ko My Myint, OFMnov
- Br. David Pau Sian Muan, OFMnov
- Br. John Paul Salai Inngar Kyaw, OFMnov
- Br. Pius Salai Zaw Paing, OFMnov
- Br. John Thang Kap Tuang, OFMnov
- Br. James Thang San Mung, OFMnov
- Br. Columban Mung Hkai Yaw, OFMnov
Custody of St Anthony Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei
- Br. Maximillian Alexson Anak Michael Keriben, OFMnov
Source : Franciscan Communications
BE SATISFIED WITH ME
Give Yourself Wholly!
As we draw closer to the Feast of St Anthony of Padua on 13 June, we are invited to enter more deeply into his spirituality, and to journey with him in prayer and reflection.
A famous line from his early preaching is “Give yourself wholly to God, who gave Himself wholly for you.”
St Anthony lived this message. He was born into a wealthy family but, like St Francis, he gave up everything to follow Jesus. He became a Franciscan friar, living a simple life of prayer, service, and preaching. He used all his gifts to serve others and to teach them about God’s love. Through his gift in preaching, he shared God’s message of love with those who came to listen, to give them hope.
Many of us struggle with prayer, feeling too busy to pray, too distracted to reflect, and too overwhelmed to give ourselves freely. Today’s culture often celebrates self-centeredness disguised as self-care, and productivity as the highest virtue. In this fast-paced environment, it is easy to give God only what is left of our time and attention. But Anthony’s spirituality reminds us that we are called to give not just a part, but our whole selves to God. It reminds us to carve out time for God, to choose silence over noise, and to live not just for ourselves, but in the service of others and for the glory of God.
Giving ourselves wholly to God today means making space each day for prayer, for Scripture, for acts of kindness. It means resisting the temptation to be consumed by our schedules and screens. It means trusting that God knows what is best for us, even when we do not understand.
So, as St Anthony’s feast day draws near, let us take time to reflect: Am I giving my whole self to God, or am I only giving what is easy or convenient? Am I truly too busy to spend time with God?
St Anthony shows us that when we give ourselves to God, we gain peace, purpose, and joy. Let us follow Anthony not just in devotion or as a helper in our needs, but as a spiritual companion who leads us closer to Christ, where true peace and joy reside.
Friar Jorgerson Japar OFM