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.
L-R: Friars Byron Chamann and John Wong from the General Curia with Friars Angelito Cortez, Benedict Chu, Albinus Ekka, Elson Singzon, Elimark Cruz, Francesco Li, Derrick Yap, Lucio Park, and Antonio Kim in the St Anthony Friary chapel.
Representatives from the communication offices within the Franciscan Conference of Asia and Oceania (FCAO) gathered in Singapore in April to discuss how they can become a network of communicators serving the Franciscan mission.
From 7 to 10 April, the 16 participants – attending in person and virtually – discussed topics including brand identity and messaging, the use of social media for entity and personal communication, collaborating on FCAO communications, and the use of artificial intelligence (AI).
The meeting, held at St Anthony Friary, began with each friar sharing the communications work of his entity and the challenges faced. Several common challenges emerged, including limited resources, multilingual work, internal coordination and digital presence. The discussion that followed revealed potential synergies that could be achieved through cooperation and collaboration.
In the afternoon, consultant Karen Goh led a workshop on brand identity and messaging. She outlined criteria for defining and communicating an organisation’s identity effectively across different channels and contexts, stressing that clarity and consistency are essential for building trust and upholding the mission. In an exercise she facilitated, the group developed a set of draft key messages to describe FCAO and its common projects.
On 8 April, the assembly examined in depth the document “Incipe Iterum” through a dialogue aimed at discerning criteria for an authentically evangelising digital presence. During his presentation, Friar Byron Chamann emphasised that these guidelines approved at the Order level were a framework of reference and asked each entity to develop its own protocols, sensitive to local culture and regulations, including working in teams that include lay experts. He also asked that they consider integrating digital formation into their formation programmes.
The following day, the group discussed collaboration between the FCAO and the General Curia’s Communications Office, proposing concrete measures to strengthen the exchange of news, photographs and resources between entities and conferences. Led by Friar Byron, the discussion highlighted the importance of institutional communications, the need for verification of sources and coordination with superiors, as well as the importance of strengthening links and references to the Order’s official channels.
In the afternoon, Friar Angelito Cortez spoke of the need for collaboration among the communications offices within FCAO, pointing out that the Franciscan digital presence is weakened when voices are fragmented and capabilities are uneven across entities. He proposed moving from simple cooperation to deeper collaboration, with clear projects and shared criteria, and encouraged stronger networking, including the improvement of common platforms and channels of exchange.
On the final day, Friar John Sekar led a discussion on the use of AI in journalism and social media. He highlighted that alongside the opportunities AI offers for daily work are ethical risks such as disinformation, the erosion of critical thinking, the protection of privacy and image rights, and the ecological impact of technology. He urged the promotion of responsible and transparent use in the service of truth and the common good.
The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue strengthening the FCAO network of Franciscan communicators, to share resources in a coordinated manner, and to foster a form of communication that, with sobriety and hope, reflects the fraternity and mission of the Friars Minor within local Churches and in the care of our common home.
The name alone sets the tone for a relaxed, hassle and pressure-free evening. “Chill out with the Friars” is held at St Anthony Friary in Bukit Batok every two months. Young men aged 18 to 35 are invited to come, listen and learn from the friars of the Custody of St Anthony (Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei).
The format is simple, allowing the young men to meet and explore without pressure the faces that make up the Custody. The evening begins at 6pm with a simple one-dish meal I prepare with the help of other friars. Over dinner, the young men get to speak with the friars informally about their ministry or responsibilities.
They also get to meet other young men on the same journey of exploring their vocation. They may even recognise some of them from other vocation events of the Archdiocese or other religious Orders.
That is fine and it is great that these young men have the freedom to explore and discover their true calling and the particular charism that suits their own life experience and personality. My own take on discernment is to have the capacity to choose. This freedom to choose implies choices that the young men allow themselves to consider and not be closed off to any promptings. Freedom of choice must be paramount if we are to respect the young men and what God has put into their hearts; not what we would like to put into their hearts!
The casual setting over dinner gives way to a slightly more formal presentation by one of the friars sharing his ministry or vocation story. There is time for questions and other friars may also respond to the easy, free flow questioning.
The presentation topics vary and on other months, the focus could be, for example, on Franciscan Spirituality. For any young man who chooses to explore a Franciscan consecrated life vocation, it is essential that the person of St Francis and his vision of ecclesial life and spirituality inform his discernment. These evenings may be a primer to Franciscan Spirituality which they can read about on the Internet or in books.
The evening closes with Night Prayer at 9pm in the friary chapel. The Office of Compline from the Divine Office is celebrated and our friars in formation introduce our guests to the experience of Choral Prayer.
The programme ends here since these chill outs are typically held on Sunday evenings and some might have an early start the next day. However, those who wish to continue conversing are welcome to adjourn to our dining room for a cup of coffee or tea.
We invite any young men who would like to know more about the Order of Friars Minor to take note of these upcoming dates for the rest of this year: 31 May, 26 July, 27 September, 22 November. Look out for the notices in our Facebook page.
Happy Easter! The Lord is truly Risen! Alleluia Alleluia!
The new life in Christ that we experience and enjoy is truly timeless, because Christ holds all things in being (cf. Col 1:17). Even in physical death, life with God never ends but deepens. “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit” (John 12:24). This scripture passage was used as the inspiration for the exposition and veneration of the sacred relics of St Francis from 22 February to 22 March 2026 in the Basilica of St Francis, Assisi. His life was a testimony to a radical following of Christ which required him to completely consecrate his entire person to the Lord. This authenticity continues to bear fruit today, evidenced by the hundreds of thousands of people who venerated his sacred remains. I was one of those who shuffled past Francis’ relics in an attempt to spiritually capture the spirit of “Il Poverello”, this poor man of Assisi.
We recall that 800 years ago, in 1226, in his most beloved chapel of St Mary of the Angels of the Porziuncola, St Francis serenely welcomed Death and addressed her as “Sister”. He saw death as a doorway to life with his Beloved God, a transit (“transitus” in Latin) from earthly life to heavenly life.
In this profound experience, St Francis invites us to confront our own transitus, to return to the embrace of our God and Father, origin and destination of our life. How do we consider our own transitus as God-led and as the moment of ultimate grace? In fact, I have just written a song that bubbled in my heart about this moment of our return to God, as our final “breathing back” to God.
On 22 February 2026, we held a one-day public veneration of the relics of St Francis in Singapore at San Damiano Franciscan Centre located behind the Church of St Mary of the Angels. Beside the relics of St Francis, we displayed the relics of the co-patrons of our Custody – St Anthony of Padua and Blessed Gabriel Allegra.
It was amazing and so edifying to see more than 1,300 people from all over Singapore come for holy veneration of these sacred relics. Some came alone, many came with family and friends, and I hope all experienced a sacred encounter with our God who continues to encounter us in a myriad of ways.
Just as God communicates his unending sacrificial love for us, we friars are called to be communicators and channels of God’s peace and love. From 7 to 10 April, the communication directors from Franciscan entities across Asia gathered in Singapore for a meeting of fraternal sharing and mutual learning. You can read about this meeting in the News section.
As I write this, we friars and our friars in formation have been practising hard for our annual Mother’s Day Concert on 1 May 2026. May I take this opportunity to thank all mothers and those who care for us in a maternal spirit for their love and care.
May you and your family continue to enjoy the new life of grace that our Risen Christ bestows upon us! And may we also labour together for the building of God’s Kingdom like St Francis did, so that all creation may experience the goodness and faithfulness of our loving God!
In Singapore, over 1,000 people came to venerate the relics of St Francis at the San Damiano Franciscan Centre.Franciscan relics of the Custody
The Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) within our Custody of St Anthony (Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei) elected new leadership teams in their Elective Chapters held in late March. Francis Park OFS, International Councillor for Asia-Oceania, presided at both Elective Chapters, with General Spiritual Assistant Friar Stefan Acatrinei OFM Conv as witness, reflecting the unity of the Secular Franciscan Order with the wider Franciscan family and the Church.
Singapore
In Singapore, 30 Secular Franciscans gathered at the Catholic Centre from 21 to 22 March 2026 for their National Elective Chapter. It was a weekend of beautiful and meaningful encounters with one another from different fraternities.
Before the Elective Chapter, we spent a day together looking back at the past three years – good times, difficult times but always times of striving to live the Gospel as St Francis did. We had seemed “tentative” at the last Elective Chapter in 2023. We were emerging from the Covid pandemic, so the mood was a little tense with a sense of not getting very far in all that we had done. It was truly, truly a case of “up to now, we have done NOTHING”.
However, the past three years saw us not just rearing our heads above water but bursting with newness and enthusiasm! God’s grace could not have been with us more than over the three years. He gave us 17 new members. This bountiful harvest has changed the profile of the OFS in Singapore quite markedly. We have become “younger”. Many of the new members come with the vitality of the younger. We thank God for this, and we look forward to a new phase of a mix of young and old, of new energy and old experience.
We spent valuable time in learning. We listened to stories of Francis – his fears, disappointments, his vulnerability, and that his total surrender was not a magical occasion but one that spanned years and shaped his approach to divinity.
We decided on the priorities for the next three years: formation, vocation promotion, JPIC and Youfra (Franciscan Youth).
We made fools of ourselves – gladly. We danced, we sang, we acted and most of all we laughed at and with each other.
Then on Sunday we got down to the business of electing the National Council who would lead us into the new phase. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we elected Nicholas Aw (Secretary), Geraldine Lim (Formator), Jennifer Marie (Minister), Caroline David (Vice Minister), Viviane Kwong (Treasurer) and Cecilia Shin (Vocation Promotor). Friar Derrick Yap OFM remains our National Spiritual Assistant.
Janet Lim
Malaysia
The Emerging National Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order in Malaysia held its National Elective Chapter from 27 to 28 March at the Pace Bene FSIC Centre, Papar, Sabah. The gathering brought together 110 Secular Franciscans from across the country, including 58 capitulars entrusted with the responsibility of discerning and voting.
The Chapter was conducted in an atmosphere of prayer, fraternity, and spiritual discernment. The session began with the summoning of Chapter Secretaries, Lindey Easter Apolonius and Claude Olivia E Jakim, followed by an opening address by Chapter President Francis Park encouraging the fraternity to move forward with courage and hope. During the formal dissolution of the outgoing National Council, special recognition was given to Sister Marina Anjuman for her six years of dedicated service as National Minister.
We elected the new National Council, entrusted with guiding the fraternity for the next three-year term – Harry Lawrence Bangguan from the Fraternity of St John, Tuaran (National Minister), Mario Richard Peter from the Fraternity of St Francis of Assisi, Cheras (Vice Minister), Dympna Richard from the Fraternity of Holy Rosary, Limbahau (National Formator), Agatha Karen Diwol from the Fraternity of St Joseph, Papar (National Secretary), Julian Kuliling from the Fraternity of St Francis of Assisi, Cheras (National Treasurer) and Jennifer Ann Michael Savrimuthu from the Fraternity of St Francis of Assisi, Cheras (Language Expert for Bahasa and Tamil). Friar Cruzender Alex OFM and Friar Tony Bingkuan OFM remain their National Spiritual Assistants.
The Chapter was a platform for dialogue and forward planning. Three key priorities were identified to guide the National Fraternity over the next three years – establishing Regional Fraternities in West Malaysia and East Malaysia, submitting amended National Statutes, and strengthening local formators along with the overall formation programme. These priorities reflect a shared commitment to strengthening organisational structure, governance, and spiritual formation within the OFS in Malaysia.
In his speech, newly elected National Minister Harry Bangguan stressed the importance of unity and fidelity within the Order, urging all Secular Franciscans to live in obedience to their ministers in accordance with the Rule and Constitutions of the OFS.
As the Emerging National Fraternity of Malaysia continues its journey toward full establishment, this Chapter stands as a testament to the faith, commitment, and unity of its members. Guided by the Holy Spirit and inspired by the charism of St Francis of Assisi, the OFS in Malaysia looks forward to a future marked by growth, service, and deeper communion within the Church and society.
Pictured with the Salib from left are the Altar Servers, St Ann PPC Chairman Mr Judas Ligon, Fr Nelson Evarinus, Fr Don Don Ramerez, Fr Davie Entalai, St Stephen Bau PPC Chairman Mr David Disam. (Photo: St Ann Media)
KOTA PADAWAN — The handover of the Perjalanan Salib from St Ann’s Parish to St Stephen’s Parish, Bau took place on 21 February 2026 at a Mass celebrated by the rector of St Ann Fr Don Don Ramerez OFM, concelebrated by Fr Nelson Evarinus OFM and Fr Davie Entalai.
The Holy Mass began with the beating of the gong by the people from Kampung Sira under the Teng Bukap Zone as a sign of respect and gratitude. The opening song, “Yesus Kami Datang Pada-Mu”, was sung in conjunction with the Liturgy of Lent, reflecting the spirit of repentance and appreciation of faith. The Salib was brought in with great respect by youth representatives of St Ann’s Church.
Before the handover ceremony, a video montage of the journey of the Salib (Cross) to all zones under the umbrella of St Ann was shown. The montage showed the active participation of the faithful in each zone and became a symbol of unity and service spirit throughout the journey of the Salib.
The handover ceremony was officiated by the Chairman of the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) of St Ann, Mr Judas Ligon to the Chairman of the PPC of St Stephen Bau, Mr David Disam, accompanied by the PPC and youth from St Stephen Bau, witnessed by the Priests as a sign of unity and fellowship in the Church.
Also at the Mass were various Church ministries including youth, hospitality and the Women’s League of St Ann Church, as well as representatives of the faithful from St Stephen Bau. The celebration also became a space to appreciate cultural identity through expressions of gratitude for the presence and participation of the faithful from various backgrounds.
After the closing prayer, the Salib was brought out by the youth of St Stephen Bau and accompanied by the theme song of the journey of the Salib, “Bangkitlah”, as a symbol of the message and continuity of the mission of faith.
The handover of the Salib between the two parishes marks another historic moment in the brotherly relationship between the two parishes. It is hoped that the Salib will continue to be a sign of blessing, unity and strengthening of the faith of the people for the glory of God.
