Friar Max professing his first vows in the hands of Friar Derrick Yap in the Minor Basilica ofSan Pedro Bautista, Manila.
I was born and raised in Sarawak, Malaysia, and I belong to the Bidayuh indigenous community, historically known as the Land Dayaks. But my vocation has led me far from home. I recently professed my first vows as a Franciscan friar after completing my novitiate in Manila and am now in Singapore for my philosophy studies.
Looking back, my novitiate year was a profound milestone in my formation journey. It was filled with challenges, moments of joy, and deep self-reflection, experiences that shaped my identity as a Franciscan. The journey was not always easy, but it strengthened my commitment to live a life rooted in prayer, contemplation, and trust in God, even in moments of weakness and uncertainty.
The year was my first prolonged separation from my family and homeland. It was an emotionally taxing period dominated by persistent existential questions. Upon my late-night arrival in the Philippines on 4 January 2025, I was filled with anxiety and questions about whether I should continue into the novitiate or return home. Even now, some of those questions remain, but I have never doubted that God has accompanied me throughout this journey. Though I cannot always understand His plans, I trust that His providence works for my ultimate good and that the experiences will bear witness to His grace in the future.
On 29 May 2025, I was formally admitted into the Juan de Plasencia Novitiate House in Liliw, Laguna. Receiving the Franciscan habit was a deeply moving moment. It marked a new identity and a visible commitment to live the Gospel in the spirit of St Francis.
Novitiate life follows a simple rhythm of prayer, study, manual work, and community life. Our days begin with meditation, Morning Prayer, and Mass, followed by household duties, classes, and communal prayer throughout the day. We also garden, exercise, and share meals and conversations as brothers.
While the routine appears repetitive, each day offers new opportunities to grow in fraternity, humility, and faith. I felt immensely blessed to be with brothers from different countries and cultures, allowing me to learn from them and share our knowledge.
The most difficult part of my novitiate year was missing my family and friends, yearning for life in the outside world, adapting to community life, and, above all, confronting my own weaknesses. I have come to realise that religious life is demanding, and the path of a Franciscan friar perhaps even more so. I ask myself: What kind of Franciscan do I aspire to be? How can I remain vulnerable and available to my fraternity and to myself? How do I sustain a spirit of humility in my daily life as a friar?
St Francis was no stranger to intense internal struggle, and I see my own experience mirrored in his as I strive to follow his example. Each day demands deep continuous contemplation. I am profoundly grateful that my novitiate year was so richly anchored in self-reflection, and that the classes in Franciscanism and human formation fortified me as I prepared for my first profession of vows.
On 28 May 2026, after completing my novitiate, I professed my first vows. It was a day of immense joy and gratitude to God. Yet I know this is only the beginning. As St Francis reminded his brothers, “Let us begin, for up to now we have done little or nothing.” With hope and trust in God’s grace, I look forward to continuing this journey of following Christ as a Franciscan friar. May God bless us all. Amen.
Solemnity of St Anthony of Padua with Procession at Church of St Mary of the Angels, Singapore.
New birth, new forays, new vision – all these bring hope to take the next step, to do the next right thing (to borrow a line from Frozen 2). In recent weeks, we have had several moments of joy in the life of our Custody.
On 28 May 2026, Friar Maximillian Alexson from Sarawak professed his first vows after completing his novitiate year in Manila. The following day, three Singaporean postulants – Daniel Xavier, Jason Ng and Samuel Tan – were invested as novices alongside postulants from the Philippines and Myanmar in the same friary. I went to Manila to rejoice with them and to visit the Novice Director. Step by step, these young brothers continue their journey of discernment and growth into the men God is calling them to be.
Our Custody also has two friars pursuing further studies in Italy. Friar Gerald Tan left for Italy on 22 May and is now studying Italian in Florence. In Rome, Friar David Au successfully defended his thesis on 10 June and obtained his Licentiate in Spirituality at the Pontificia Università Antonianum. He will remain there for another year to undertake a formators’ training course. I thank you, our readers and benefactors, for your generous and steady support of our Franciscan life and mission, which makes the ongoing formation of our brothers possible.
At last year’s Custody Chapter, we agreed to strengthen collaboration and to celebrate the Tuesday St Anthony Devotion as a Custody. St Anthony is our Custody’s co-patron, and this devotion is close to our hearts. We warmly invite you to join us for this devotion every Tuesday at 6:30pm at the Church of St Mary of the Angels.
At the end of May, our own brother, Friar John Wong, Definitor General for Asia, came for a post-Chapter visitation. He met with the Custody Council, visited our communities, and followed up on matters that had surfaced during the Chapter. Together we travelled to Kota Kinabalu in June, where we reconnected with our brother friars and many old friends – benefactors, collaborators, architects, priests, and religious. It was a meaningful time of connection and alignment with our Franciscan life and mission in Malaysia and Singapore, within the Asia-Oceania region, and across the wider Franciscan world.
In the last two weeks of June, I returned to Manila for the in-person residency of the Asian Franciscan Formators Training (AFFT) for which I am the co-ordinator. This third cycle includes Franciscan sisters for the first time, bringing together a group of seven friars and five sisters from across Asia. From the very first day, the Franciscan spirit fostered openness and unity. I was deeply encouraged by their enthusiasm and desire to grow as authentic religious and capable formators and accompanists.
From Manila, I went to Bogor, Indonesia for the Franciscan Conference of Asia-Oceania (FCAO) meeting, held from 28 June to 3 July 2026. We reviewed the resolutions from our previous meeting in Manila and continued planning shared initiatives such as AFFT. I was re-elected President of the South Asia, Australia, and Oceania Conference, and Friar Robin Toha was re-appointed Secretary.
Among the key resolutions at the meeting were: (a) strengthening collaboration in formation and studies through AFFT, ongoing formation exchanges, online Italian courses, and missionary preparation; (b) advancing JPIC initiatives including the Asia network and training for young friars; (c) encouraging creative new forms of presence to be relevant in our culture and context; and (d) strengthening safeguarding efforts through the Tutela Asia network.
Yet beyond the formal discussions, the most precious moments were the informal fraternal encounters, where we simply shared life as brothers in the spirit of St Francis.
We remain deeply grateful for your prayers and generous support. As we celebrate the Jubilee of St Francis this year, may we grow ever deeper in our love of God, neighbour, and all creation.
In anticipation of the Feast of St Clare of Assisi on 11 August, FriarMichael Goh offers this song of praise to Clare, founder of the PoorClares and the first woman to compose a monastic rule.
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.
