PRAYER (Secular Franciscan Order USA)
The mystery that changed everything
For the Christian, what is the singular event that changed history or rather, reality itself? The event that made us who we are – believers in the Lord? One can argue that it is the Resurrection of Jesus. In fact, had the resurrection not taken place, Jesus would have just been one of the many Jewish reformers of his time, destined to be forgotten. The resurrection proved that Jesus was no ordinary man.
The New Testament was written in light of the Resurrection. The Resurrection was the key in re-interpreting everything written in the Old Testament and in deciphering the identity of Jesus. Who was this special person? And how special was he?
Only Jesus rose from the dead, never to die again. Reflection on his life, words and actions, sparked by the Resurrection, led the apostles and early church to declare that Jesus was both human and divine, i.e. God emptied himself to assume our human nature in the person of Jesus Christ through the Incarnation. It was precisely Jesus’ divine nature that enabled him to preach the way he did, heal the way he did, and rise the way he did. Seen from this angle, the Resurrection becomes the evidence and fruit of the Incarnation.
Understanding the Incarnation this way also helps us come to terms with the troubling question: did Jesus have to suffer such a cruel death in order to save us? In a fallen, sinful world, yes. As Jesus himself said, he was destined to be rejected, killed and then rise on the third day (Luke 9:22, Mark 8:31, Matthew 17:22-23), thereby proving his divinity and prompting belief in him.
This uniqueness – Jesus’ ability to hold in perfect union both human and divine natures –allows our communion with God (i.e. salvation) to take place. It is not so much being united with him or to him, as being united in him.
In a sense, we can confidently say that through the Incarnation, God has opened the way for man to be saved – and there is but one way, through Jesus! Being the only means by which the divine and human can co-exist in perfect harmony, Jesus proclaims emphatically, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
So, coming back to the original question: What is the singular event that changed history or rather, reality itself? Could it be the Incarnation instead? I invite you to ponder on its significance and pray that we will increasingly treasure and accept the longing of God to truly unite us in him.
Friar David Au OFM
Drawing inspiration from the way St Francis lived his life
Growing up, I had a beautifully illustrated pocket-sized book about St Francis and his ability to talk to animals. The stories of St Francis have continued being familiar to me – from witnessing the Franciscan Friars in action in my church, to watching my mother paint her portrait series of St Francis.
The story of St Francis asking for the Stigmata has always haunted me. How could anyone ever wish something so brutal upon themselves? This manifested itself when I was approached to design an image for the Franciscan Young Adults jamboree event with the theme of “Wounds to New Life”. I awoke one night with the final image that sought to incorporate joy from such sorrow.
When Friar Derrick Yap asked me to design the artwork for the Franciscan Calendar, I reacquainted myself with St Francis’ stories. I realised that my mother’s images were the ones that had inspired me to want to know more about St Francis. I began to look at other artists’ interpretations, not solely of Francis’ stories, but echoes of it: other saints in prayer, a girl with a wolf, figures in embrace. It is not alone that I was able to come up with these images. I was not developing something from scratch but entering into a kind of meditative dialogue with those who had painted before me, seeking to imbue my own work with that same spirit of life we all share, just as St Francis lived his.
Reflecting on these other images, the ideas flowed very naturally. Each version of my illustrations took less than five minutes but developing them into the artwork for the calendar was a slow refinement of my personal style, guided by the very stories that have stayed with me through my formative years.
Ashley Jane Leow
Postulant Exposure in Indonesia
During the seminary semester break from 4 June to 18 July, my fellow postulants –
Samuel Bernadi Hartanoeh and Jason Ng – and I went to Indonesia for our Exposure trip. In our six weeks with the Franciscan Friars in Flores, we gained an insight into the lives of the local people and the missionary work of the friars including their application of Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC).
In Pagal, we stayed with the friars of the Franciscan Friary for the Postulancy Programmes and immersed ourselves in their eco-pastoral work. The friar, who was our host and guide, oversees the vegetable and animal farms. They grow several kinds of lettuce and chye sim as well as rice. They also rear pigs and goats. What struck us most was how nothing went to waste. Vegetables that cannot be sold are fed to the pigs. Pig manure is collected and converted into biogas, which is used for cooking, reducing dependence on conventional gas. This was a simple yet powerful reminder of how creativity and care for creation can go hand in hand. We also saw how the friars collaborate with the local farmers to grow crops.
In Tentang, we stayed with the friars of St Anthony Friary, who run the Parish of St Francis of Assisi. There we learned about the friars’ efforts in the micro, small and medium economy sectors in their collaboration with the farmers and the youth.
One inspiring project was the production and sale of ground ginger. The farmers harvest different types of ginger, including turmeric and temulawak. The ginger is cut, dried and ground into powder, then packaged for sale in a building that was built by the friars. This simple idea promotes local produce and provides the village with a source of income. While we were there, the friars received halal certification for the sale and consumption of the ginger products. We can testify that the ginger drink is refreshing and delicious, especially after a hard day’s work.
While we learned practical things about farming, sustainability and creative economics, what struck us most was the spirit of the friars and the people. We witnessed the simplicity of their life, their creativity in overcoming challenges, and their strong sense of community and fraternity. This reminded us that being a friar is not only about doing, but also about being present with others and with God. This exposure experience also taught us gratitude – to be grateful for what we have, the food we eat, for clean water, for relationships, and even for challenges that stretch us beyond our comfort zones.
We returned to Singapore with full hearts, bringing with us memories of Flores and the amazing example of friars who live justly, and work and care for creation. We hope to carry forward these values in our own formation and future ministry.
Daniel Xavier
Our friaries in Kuching and Kota Kinabalu
In this issue, we conclude our series on the communities in our Custody of St Anthony (Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei) with our two communities on the island of Borneo– St Francis of Assisi Friary in Kuching and Il Cantico Friary in Kota Kinabalu.
Kuching: St Francis of Assisi Friary
Our Kuching community comprises Friars Don Don Ramerez, Joseph Lee and Nelson Evarinus. Their main ministry is the pastoral care of the Parish of St Ann, Kota Padawan, which covers a large area from Kota Padawan (10th Mile Kuching-Serian Road) along Jalan Borneo Heights up to the border with Kalimantan, Indonesia. It has more than 26,000 parishioners spread out in 52 kampungs and 9 tamans (housing estates).
Sunday Masses are celebrated in five locations – the Church of St Ann; Sub-Parish of St Michael, Teng Bukap; Sub-Parish of St Mary Magdalene, Kampung Jambu; Sub-Parish of St Peter, Kampung Simpok; and Sub-Parish of St Maximillian Kolbe, Kampung Bayur.
On weekdays, Mass, along with Lauds/Morning Office, is celebrated at the Church of St Ann Chapel at 6.55am. In the kampungs, weekday Mass is celebrated at 7pm, depending on the monthly Priests Travel Roster. Sunday Masses in Mandarin are celebrated at 4pm at St Ann Chapel, and at 7pm at Tapah Catholic Community Centre, Tapah Village.
Friar Nelson also serves in the Archdiocesan Creation and Justice ministry while Friar Don Don is part of the Vocation Team. He also gives seminars and is in the ministry of Deliverance and Exorcism.
As a community, we celebrate Mass in the Friary Chapel on Mondays, followed by breakfast. On Tuesdays to Saturdays, one friar presides at the morning Mass at St Ann Chapel, while the other two friars meet for Lauds in the Friary Chapel. Vespers, when possible, is at 5pm after which each friar prepares for the evening Mass in the kampungs, as rostered.
Due to the numerous kampungs, we do not have a weekly Day of Recreation, but we take every opportunity to have a community meal together. For example, after the monthly Archdiocesan Day of Recollection and Meeting at Stutong Centre, we have dinner together before returning to the friary.
Overall, it is a meaningful ministry, ministering to the numerous parishioners of simple faith, full of enthusiasm and collaboration.
Friar Joseph Lee, Guardian
Kota Kinabalu: Il Cantico Friary
The Franciscan presence in the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, was formally established in September 2022, and like a small seed newly planted in soil, it is slowly taking root to grow and bear fruit for the people of God.
The three friars in the young community of Il Cantico Friary are Friars Gerald Terence, Moses Yap and Cruzender Alex.
Friar Cruzender has been in Kota Kinabalu the longest, arriving in 2021 to do his master’s degree at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS). Alongside his studies, he had pastoral responsibilities at St Michael Parish, Penampang.
One of the early challenges he encountered was celebrating Mass in Kadazan, which he says is a pastoral necessity as it allows the friars to serve the local faithful more deeply in their own language and cultural context. He is also the National Spiritual Assistant for the Order of Franciscan Secular (OFS) for East Malaysia and, since 2024, Spiritual Advisor to several parish committees.
Friar Gerald arrived in 2024 and is Assistant Parish Priest in both St Michael Parish and St Augustine Parish, Kinarut. He also accompanies several ministries – Youth Ministry, Women’s League Apostolate, Creation and Justice Ministry, and Bible Apostolate – and gives talks, seminars, recollections and retreats.
Friar Moses is the newest member of the community. He arrived in Kota Kinabalu from Johor Bahru in February and began assisting with Masses at Sacred Heart Cathedral in March. He celebrates Masses in English and Mandarin since his Bahasa Malaysia is weak. On weekends, he also celebrates Mass at the Church of Mary Immaculate at Bukit Padang and at the Carmelite Chapel.
In the seven months he has been here, Friar Moses says he has discovered that there is a great pastoral need – faith formation to deepen knowledge of the faith and guidance to deepen prayer life and build a stronger relationship with God.
The three friars are learning to live together as a community. Friar Gerald said, “My prayer is that our Il Cantico Community will continue to grow in fraternity, rooted in simplicity and joy, so that together we can truly be a Franciscan presence in the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu.”
