The OFS brothers and sisters of Asia and Oceania, after the postponed Congress in 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic, finally have the joy of coming together with the emerging fraternity of Malaysia to celebrate the joy of belonging to the Franciscan family. The Congress was held at Gaya Centre Hotel in the city of Kota Kinabalu in Sabah – Malaysia – from 23-29 October 2025. 72 brothers and sisters from Australia, China, Korea, India, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, New Zealand, Timor Leste, Taiwan, Singapore, the Philippines, and Vietnam participated.
The Congress was officially opened by the celebration of the Holy Mass presided over by the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu, Most Rev. John Wong, who, in his homily, reminded the participants about the theme of the Congress, “Go and Repair my Church,” by telling them that it is important to invert this, beginning with ‘Church’– as a community of believers that need constant conversion – ‘repairing’ – oneself through repentance, then ‘Go’ and share what you have received from the Lord.
At the end of the Holy Mass, the participants had a group photo, followed by the presentation of the General Minister, Tibor Kauser, OFS, who emphasized the idea of how to repair the Church: “Repair a fraternal life within self and others – but avoid repairing what is not even broken.” He then spoke about “The role of the OFS fraternal animator for YouFra” and “The sense of belonging and responsibility in OFS and YouFra.”
Then many topics were presented during the week. Br. Stefan Acatrinei, OFMConv, spoke on the “Canticle of Creatures,” and Br. Pedro Zitha, OFM, presented on “Servant Leadership; Spiritual Assistance and JPIC; and JPIC Spirituality.” The following day, there was a presentation by Mark Aimazan, YouFra Coordinator for Asia-Oceania and Africa, on the “Role of OFS and Sense of Belonging and Co-responsibility in OFS and YouFra; YouFra Activities in the Philipines, Vietnam, Taiwan,” as well as “Vocation Development and Communications; Vocation Promotion in Different National Fraternities.”
On the last day 29 October, there was the wrap up and the participants nominated Vietnam and South Korea to be the next hosting countries in 2028, followed by the closing Holy Mass celebrated by Msgr. Nicholas Stephen. This was then followed by the farewell message and thanks from the Minister General Tibor Kauser, OFS and the departure of all participants.
Following the Custody Chapter of 2025 and the election of the new leadership team for the new term (2025-2028), the following composition of Communities and Ministries are herewith published. These appointments to communities and ministries will take effect from 1 January 2026.
The Tau Cross is one of the most recognisable symbols of the Franciscan family. It looks like the letter “T” and has deep biblical and spiritual meaning. Its history goes back to the Old Testament, where in the Book of Ezekiel, God commanded a mark to be placed on the foreheads of those who remained faithful to Him. This mark, written as the Hebrew letter tau (ת), became a sign of protection and faithfulness. Later, early Christians saw the Tau as a symbol of the cross of Christ, a reminder of salvation through His love.
For St. Francis of Assisi, the Tau was not just a letter or a shape. It was a living sign of his conversion and mission. In the early 13th century, Pope Innocent III used the Tau in his preaching, calling people to repentance and renewal of heart. Francis, who was deeply moved by this message, adopted the Tau as his personal symbol. He would often sign his letters with it and mark it on the walls of places where he stayed. To him, the Tau represented a commitment to live the Gospel fully, to embrace the cross, and to follow Christ with humility and joy.
The “Chartula of Assisi” is a precious 1224 parchment note handwritten by St. Francis of Assisi, containing his “Praises of God Most High” on one side and his “Blessing of Brother Leo” on the other. It is one of the only two known surviving writings in St. Francis’s own hand. The document is a testament to his spiritual experience, his relationship with God, and his deep friendship with Brother Leo.
The Tau also connects closely with the sacred experience of St. Francis at Mount La Verna. It was there, while in deep prayer and contemplation, that Francis received the stigmata, the wounds of Christ on his own body. In his prayer before the experience, he cried out, “Who are You, O God, and who am I?” This simple but powerful question reveals his deep humility and desire to know God more intimately. It is a prayer of someone who recognises his smallness before the greatness of divine love. On La Verna, Francis was united more closely to Christ’s suffering and love through the cross.
Sanctuary of La Verna in Tuscany, Italy, where St. Francis of Assisi received the stigmata
For the Franciscans today, the Tau remains a powerful reminder of this heritage. It is a sign of belonging to the spirit of St. Francis, a call to conversion, and a visible expression of one’s desire to live the Gospel life. Many friars, sisters, and lay Franciscans wear the Tau around their necks as a sign of their commitment to peace, simplicity, and love for all creation. It is not a decoration but a declaration—a quiet witness that says, “The Tau is yours.”
When we wear the Tau today, we are reminded that it belongs not to us, but to God. It invites us to carry the cross in our daily lives with faith and joy. It challenges us to live with compassion, to forgive, to serve the poor, and to care for our common home. Like St. Francis, we too can ask, “Who are You, O God, and who am I?”—a question that keeps our hearts humble and open to God’s grace. The Tau, then, is more than a symbol. It is a way of life, a sign that we walk in the footsteps of Christ, just as St. Francis did.
Parishioners at Saint Anne’s Church were treated to cultural performances and delicacies from eight migrant communities in their parish canteen on Sunday, Sept 21, as part of a carnival to commemorate the 111th World Day of Migrants and Refugees.
Some 500 migrants and the local community participated in the festival co-organised by the Sengkang parish and the Archdiocesan Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants & Itinerant People (ACMI).
There, visitors savoured specialities such as the Filipino halo-halo dessert; tortilla de patatas – Spanish omelettes; and bánh mì, a Vietnamese baguette sandwich.
The actual World Day of Migrants and Refugees was celebrated in the wider Church on Oct 4-5 to coincide with the Jubilee of the Missionary World and of Migrants in Rome.
Celebrations at St Anne’s Church closed with a Mass concelebrated by Cardinal William Goh, Parish Priest Father Jovita Ho, and the chaplains of the migrant communities.
Missionaries of hope
Recalling Pope Leo XIV’s message for the World Day—that migrants are missionaries of hope—the Cardinal said the testimonies of migrants who persevered in faith despite difficult circumstances can inspire faith in local Singaporeans.
“Singaporeans tend to take life for granted and we do not appreciate what migrants have to go through,” said Cardinal Goh.
“It is not easy to settle in a new country with different customs and languages. It takes a lot of courage to leave your homeland to find a better life for your family and yourself,” he said to the 500 migrants at the Mass, many of whom were dressed in their traditional wear.
Cardinal Goh concluded his homily by encouraging locals and migrants to work together to evangelise.
“Many of your own countrymen are not Catholic,” he said to the migrants. “Bring them to church, take them out for dinner, establish friendships, and share your faith.”
Being family
In a speech at the end of the Mass, ACMI Chairperson Raymundo Yu said the organisation launched a Migrant Awareness Module earlier this year for teenagers undergoing catechism at four parishes—including St Anne’s Church—as part of their efforts to help local Catholics become “family” to migrants.
As part of the three-weekend programme, the youths learned about migrant communities in Singapore and how the Church teaches its faithful to treat migrants with dignity.
The youth also held charity car washes and music performances in their churches to raise funds to buy pillows, snacks, and gifts for migrant workers.
“Jesus showed us that life is meaningful when we care for our neighbours,” said Mr Yu. “Let us be witnesses to God’s compassion and to hope.”
A prayer notebook inspired by the Canticle of the Creatures
Inspired by the Canticle of the Creatures, “JOY for God: Journey of Yearning” has been published. This prayer notebook, with short texts, questions, and contemplative art, guides us to recognize God’s presence in our brother Sun and sister Moon, in the stars, in the wind, in water, in fire, and in our sister Mother Earth, until we learn to embrace – without fear – our sister Death, who reveals the essential and opens us to Life. The work is designed for prayer in retreat or on a journey, with family or parish, and arises from the desire to help us write our own “story with God,” starting from our received identity: being loved, called to peace, dialogue, and the care of our common home. For this reason, page after page, the “Praise be to you, my Lord” flows forth again as a humble and hopeful song for our time.
This book collects the writings and artwork of Br. Robin Toha, OFM, of the Custody of Saint Anthony (Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei), whose writings and meditations are inspired by the prayer and charism of the Friars Minor. From his fraternal and pastoral experience, Br. Robin offers a journey that helps us contemplate, give thanks, and reconcile, turning joy into a concrete service and beauty into a path to God.
