On the morning of 25 April 2023, Friar Massimo Fusarelli ofm, Minister General of the Order of Friars Minor (Franciscans) officially declared the autonomy of the Custody of St Anthony (Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei), previously dependent upon the Province of the Holy Spirit (Australia-New Zealand).
Minister General of the Order , Friar Massimo (centre) and Definitor General Friar John Wong (left)
The fraternal celebration was also graced by the participation of Definitor General (Asia-Oceania) Friar John Wong, himself the previous Custos of the Custody. The Mother Province in Australia-New Zealand was also well-represented by the presence of the Minister Provincial Friar Phillip Miscamble, who was the entity’s first Custos, together with the current Provincial Definitors and previous Ministers Provincial. It was truly a celebration of the sacrificial efforts of the many friars that contributed to the growth and maturation of our brotherhood here in this part of the world.
Derrick, the first Custos of the Autonomous Custody. Receiving a medal of the Stigmata of St Francis of Assisi John & Massimo assuring Derrick of their prayers and support.
The decree of erection of the Autonomous Custody pronounced at the beginning of a Custody Assembly held in St Clare Hall on our Bukit Batok Complex. The appointments of the leadership team of the newly Autonomous Custody was also read out, with Friar Derrick Yap as Custos, Friar Michael D’Cruz as Vicar, and Friars Vernon Chua, Esmond Chua, David Au and Aiden Peter as Custody Councillors. During this Assembly, the Custody’s journey was reviewed and its future trajectory envisioned in the presence of Minister General and Definitor General for the zone.
Taking OathVicar Michael Cruz taking an oath. Newly appointed custody councillors Blessing of the Image of the Patron Saints of the Custody Custos Derrick receiving a medal of the Stigmata of St Francis of Assisi The official seal of St Anthony Custody
The Evening Eucharist celebration of the Custody’s Autonomy was presided by the Minister General at the Church of St Mary of the Angels in Bukit Batok, Singapore. Many Religious, parishioners of St Mary of the Angels, benefactors and friends were present to rejoice with us. After the rousing homily, Friar Nelson Evarinus was admitted to the Ministry of Acolyte and all the Solemnly Professed present recommitted their vows as a symbol of their dedication to the Franciscan Gospel way of life and of becoming contemplative fraternities in mission.
Friar Nelson is admitted to the Ministry of AcolyteThe launching of ‘St Anthony’s Touch’Friar Don Don to support the mission in St Ann’s Church, Kuching, Sarawak.
As a concrete expression of the Custody’s ongoing commitment to the Poor and Marginalised, as well as for Mission and Evangelisation Efforts, the Custody launched ‘St Anthony’s Touch’, a fund specially reserved for initiatives in these areas. A cheque of MYR50,000 (approximately EUR10,000) was presented to Friar Don Don Ramerez, the Rector of St Ann Mission (Kuching) to support the mission parish’s effort to build houses for poor families in the villages they pastorally care for.
After the Mass, the Minister General blessed a statue of St Anthony preaching to the Fishes at the Piazza of the Bukit Batok parish and friary, symbolising the intentional commitment of the frairs of the Custody to be ‘Fishers of Men’. The souvenirs for the occasion consists of two pairs of chopsticks, a rich symbol to remind us, like the functions of chopsticks, to hold gratitude in our hearts, to feedGod’s people, and to lift each other up.
Blessing of the statue of St AnthonyFishers of Men Souvenir
The Minister General also took time to have separate personal encounters with individual groups to dialogue and deepen his understanding of the Custody – with all the brothers in Initial Formation, with the Custody Council and individual consultations with the Provincial and Custos.
Dialogue with the brothers in Initial Formation. Brs Massimo and John with two Postulants, two Novices and three Post Novices.
Following this celebration, Br Massimo and Br John will be accompanied by Br Derrick to Sabah (Malaysia) for a visit to the newest mission of the Custody in Kota Kinabalu, where the Custody’s presence was only recently established. The Minister General will meet and dialogue with the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception (FSIC) and with some of the almost 600 the members of the Order of Franciscans Secular in Sabah.
Minister General with Il Cantico Community, Kota Kinabalu Sabah. Dialogue with FSIC and OFS membersA courtesy visit to the Archbishop of Kota Kinabalu, John Wong by the OFM Definitor General John Wong, OFM Minister General Massimo and the friars of Il Cantico friary.
The Minister General and Definitor General will also have a personal meeting with the Archbishop of Kota Kinabalu. Archbishop John Wong and the Definitor General happen to have the same name, which often causes humorous confusion in the local Church!
In this part of the world, where there is a great diversity of cultures, religions and even degrees of affluence, the brothers of this newly Autonomous Custody are called to reach out to every persona and all creatures, just as St Francis did, as well as following the beautiful examples of their patron St Anthony of Padua and co-patron Blessed Gabriele Allegra.
On April 17th, 2023, I renewed my Temporary Vows for the third time in Indonesia’s Francis Friary Chapel in Jakarta. It dawned on me that I had the experience of renewing my vows in the hands of three Provincial Ministers and my Custos to date. From my first profession of vows in the Philippines to my subsequent two renewals in Singapore and now in Indonesia.
Friar Marvin renewing his Temporary Vows for another year in the hands of Friar Mikael Peruhe OFM, the Minister Provincial of St Michael the Archangel, Indonesia.
This year, I find myself in my Franciscan year. God has led me to Indonesia to strengthen the connections between St. Anthony Custody of Malaysia-Singapore and St. Michael the Archangel Province of Indonesia. But the main reason I am here is to learn more about Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation and Eco-Pastoral, both in the fieldwork and in structured administration.
While being away from my brothers in the St. Anthony Custody of Malaysia-Singapore, I believe that God has prepared a unique path for me to experience Him. This path may be less traveled, but I trust that it is the right one for me. In every journey, be it healing from past wounds, restoring our hearts, or facing challenges in life, I believe that God is with me every step of the way.
Friar Marvin signing the documents of his renewal of vows with a Solemn Professed Friar as witness.
At times, my focus may shift, and I may feel discouraged, but I know that the choice to follow this path is mine. This opportunity has taught me to step out of my comfort zone, encounter new things, and deepen my Franciscan spirituality as an Itinerant, much like Saint Francis of Assisi. He always praised the Lord in his journey and encounters with people.
In my encounters with the friars and people of Indonesia, I aspire not only to appreciate the differences and similarities in culture and language but also to allow God to guide me to see what He wants me to see and be what He wants me to be. Despite my weaknesses, I bear witness to how beautiful the world is made for all of us.
As I made my Third Renewal of Vows, I trust in God the Father to continue giving me the strength to see the world through the eyes of His Son, Christ Jesus.
– Friar Marvin Voo, OFM
A group photo with the friars at Francis Friary Chapel, Jakarta Indonesia.
Pada tangal 17 April 2023, saya memperbaharui Kaul Sementara untuk ketiga kalinya di Kapel Biara Fransiskus Jakarta, Indonesia. Saya menyadari bahwa saya telah memperbaharui kaul dalam tangan tiga Pelayan Provinsi serta Kustos. Berawal dari Kaul Pertama di Filipina, pembaharuan di Singapura dan kini di Indonesia.
Friar Marvin memperbaharui Kaul Sementara untuk setahun di dalam tangan Friar Mikael Peruhe OFM, Pelayan Provinsi St. Mikhael Malaikat Agung Indonesia.
Pada tahun ini, saya menjalani tahun Fransiskan. Saya meyakini bahwa Allah sendiri yang membawa saya ke Indonesia untuk mempererat hubungan antara Kustodi St. Anthony Malaysia-Singapura dan Provinsi St. Mikhael Malaikat Agung Indonesia. Selain itu, Saya juga belajar lebih banyak mengenai Komisi Keadilan, Perdamaian dan Keutuhan ciptaan serta Ekopastoral, baik dalam kerja lapangan maupun dalam hal tata administrasi.
Meskipun berada jauh dari saudara-saudara di Kustodi St. Anthony Malaysia-Singapura, saya percaya bahwa Allah telah menyiapkan jalan yang unik bagi saya untuk mengalamiNya. Jalan ini mungkin kurang dilalui, tetapi saya percaya bahwa jalan ini adalah jalan yang tepat bagi saya. Setiap perjalanan, baik itu penyembuhan dari luka batin, pemurnian hati, atau menghadapi tantangan hidup, saya percaya bahwa Allah selalu bersama saya.
Terkadang, fokus saya mungkin berubah dan mungkin merasa putus asa, tetapi saya sadar bahwa pilihan untuk mengikuti jalan ini adalah pilihan saya. Kesempatan ini telah mengajarkan saya untuk keluar dari zon selesa, mengalami hal-hal baru, dan memperdalam spiritualitas Fransiskan saya sebagai seorang musafir dan perantau (Itinerant), seperti Santo Fransiskus dari Asisi. Dia selalu memuji Tuhan dalam perjalanannya dan dalam perjumpaan dengan setiap orang.
Dalam pertemuan saya dengan para saudara fransiskan dan orang-orang di Indonesia, saya diteguhkan tidak hanya untuk menghargai perbedaan, persamaan budaya ataupun bahasa, tetapi juga membiarkan Allah membimbing saya untuk melihat apa yang Dia ingin saya lihat serta menjadi seperti apa yang Dia inginkan. Walaupun memiliki kelemahan, saya menjadi saksi tentang betapa indahnya dunia yang diciptakan bagi kita.
Ketika memperbaharui kaul Ketiga, saya percaya pada Allah Bapa yang terus memberi saya kekuatan untuk melihat dunia melalui mata PutraNya, Yesus Kristus.
– Friar Marvin Voo, OFM
A group photo with the friars at Francis Friary Chapel, Jakarta Indonesia.
Friar Arul gives his session on the Rukun Negara during the CAC’ Staff Lenten Recollection
KOTA KINABALU – Delivering his sessions in a fluent malay, Friar Arul Maridass OFM guided the staff of Catholic Archdiocesan Centre for a half day Lenten Recollection, taking the theme ‘Jesus’ Experience in Our Ministries’.
Friar Arul, who is currently serving as assistant priest at St Joseph, Papar, said that for a person who had received baptism, he or she must have an experience ‘being’ with Jesus. Just like someone walking under a light where there should be a shadow of that person, likewise, that should be our life by which Jesus is inseparable with our Christian daily living.
Being a staff at the administration centre of the diocese is a privilege and also a vocation, said Friar Arul. “Out of thousands of catholics in the archdiocese, here you are, working for the Archdiocese. In deed it is a privilege, but above that, look at it as a vocation that you’re serving the catholic community through the specific job that you are entrusted with,” explained Friar Arul.
Expounding of the meaning of Rukun Negara by extrapolating it with biblical verses, Friar Arul said that the national principles have an implication which is applicable and necessary for Christian life. Giving an example on the first principle, ‘Faith to God’ (Kepercayaan kepada Tuhan), he said that being citizen of the country and also as Christians, daily lives is being defined from the implications based on the first principle.
The sessions was then followed by ‘washing of feet’ among the staff symbolising service to each other as a community within the CAC. The half day recollection then ended with a Eucharistic celebration.
We are blessed to have two new novices in 2023. On 14 January, Friar Peter Michael, Director of the Novitiate at St Anthony Friary, received Friars Jorgerson Japar and Nicholas Lee into the Novitiate programme.
From left : Novice Friar Jorgerson, Novice Master Friar Peter Michael, Novice Friar Nicholas
Novitiate is a sacred time during which the novices undergo an intense period of formation to know and experience the Franciscan way of life. It is a year for them to understand themselves, to form their minds and hearts more deeply in the spirit of St Francis, and to test their resolution and suitability for the life of a friar.
The novices begin their day with Morning Prayer and Mass at 7 am. They then attend classes on Franciscan Spirituality, Franciscan History, the Writings of St Francis and St Clare, and the Constitutions of the Order. At noon, they have Midday Prayer followed by lunch and then personal time. At 6 pm, they gather with the rest of the community for Evening Prayer followed by dinner and then Night Prayer at 8 pm.
Novices also have household chores. They cook for the community twice a week and do some cleaning and gardening. On Thursday mornings, they assist in teaching Catechism classes at St Anthony’s Primary School.
Please keep Jorgerson and Nicholas in your prayers as they continue on their Novitiate journey.
With the movement restrictions for Covid-19 lifted, the Franciscan Friars are delighted to be able to connect en masse and in person again.
On 28 February, the Devotion to St Anthony returned to the Church of St Mary of the Angels. Join us there at 7 pm on Tuesdays, after the evening Mass. The virtual shrine remains available for those of you who cannot get to church in time, or prefer to pray at your own time and in your own space.
Our Mother’s Day Concert returns too. Mothers hold a special place in the hearts of the Franciscan Friars. Through the motherhood of Mary, the Son of God became our brother. Through his mother Lady Pica, St Francis of Assisi learned how to love and be loved. St Francis asked his brother friars to care for one another as a mother cares for her son. Since then, mothers have been the major inspiration for most, if not all, friars in their journey and mission to love and serve God and one another.
Join us on 6 May at the Church of St Mary of the Angels as we friars give thanks for the gift of all mothers with a special tribute to Our Lady, the Mother of the Word Incarnate. The evening of prayer and celebration begins at 8 pm. Tickets will be available in April.
Before the concert, we have in April the Conference on Franciscan Spirituality where, as our Custos Friar Derrick Yap said, we hope to deepen our knowledge of Franciscan Spirituality, and so be recharged and renewed for mission and fraternal relations. The conference will be held over two days, and we will be taking it to three locations so that more people can attend. We hope to see you in Kota Kinabalu (12 and 13 April), Kuching (15 and 16 April) or Singapore (19 and 20 April). To find out more about the talks and how to register, visit franciscans.sg/ conference-on-franciscan-spirituality.
