Meetings, meetings, meetings. Some of us are in so many meetings. We preside at some and at others we try to participate, the key word being “try”. Sometimes we ask ourselves why we are at these meetings and how we can contribute to the greater good.
I was recently in Manila for the Franciscan Conference of Asia and Oceania (FCAO) meeting of about 100 friars mainly from Asia. This meeting was historic not just because of the sheer number of friars present. This was also the f irst time that Asian friars were gathered to collaborate in the areas of Formation and Studies (FS), Mission and Evangelisation (ME), and Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC).
Each Asian entity sent four representatives. Representing our Custody were myself as Custos (Minister), Friar Joseph Nasanathan (Secretary of FS), Friar Robin Toha (Secretary of ME) and Friar Cosmas Francis (Animator of JPIC). Two more friars from our Custody were present: Friar John Paul Tan (Meeting Moderator) and Friar John Wong (General Definitor for Asia). Though we come from a tiny part of Asia, we were very well-represented!
There was such an amazing buzz of energy at this meeting. Friars spontaneously exchanged stories about their life, community and ministry. Some exchanged numbers as well! There were many resolutions to be voted upon and implemented. As the newly elected President of South Asia, Australia and Oceania Conference (SAAOC), I coordinated with Friar Lino Gregory, President of East Asia Conference, on how best to assign friars to each of these resolutions with a stipulated timeline for reporting and implementation.
At last year’s FCAO meeting, I volunteered to spearhead the creation of a formator’s course for Asia. With the grace of God and help from many generous people, this came to fruition within a year.
I must admit that developing this formator’s course was very time consuming, but the providence of God never fails us. I began with no programme, no trainers, no participants, no funding, and no administration, but step by step, ideas started to form, and things started to come together, and the right people started to appear. This experience is yet another demonstration to me that when God desires something, he will provide. I just have to be his instrument and trust.
It is with trust and faith that I sent Friar David Au for studies in Franciscan Spirituality and the Diploma in Formation at the Franciscan University of Antonianum in Rome. My hope is that more friars from the Custody can benefit from some time immersed in Franciscan Spirituality, not just intellectually but affectively. This wholistic and integrated experience is what makes us Franciscans human and real, authentic and creative.
I trust that you, our friends and benefactors, will continue to pray for us and support our many endeavours to impact lives and to bring more people to the beauty and mystery of God’s love!
“Today the weak link is the pedagogy and not the theology”. This quote from “The Sentiments of the Son: A formation journey in consecrated life” by Amadeo Cencini is so true today. As Cencini says, we struggle with the transmission and reception (pedagogy) of the wisdom of the Church (theology).
What is the point of having a beautiful collection of teachings when it is not embodied and passed on intellectually and affectively? This is the purpose of the Asian Franciscan Formators Training (AFFT) programme which launched on 11 March 2024, says Friar Derrick Yap, the programme’s designer and coordinator.
He shared that the acronym AFFT is intended to sound like affect (Latin: affectus), to reflect the emphasis on affectivity, the importance of the heart and our emotions in the formative process.
The programme is modelled on the Diploma in Formation for Consecrated Life at the Franciscan University of Antonianum in Rome, but it includes elements of interculturality within the Asian context, appreciation of generational awareness (Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, etc), the ubiquity of technology in our modern world, safeguarding principles and policies. There are 16 modules.
Although the AFFT is primarily conducted online, there are two residency programmes – in Manila in June and in Singapore in November – to immerse in modules that require in-person instruction, such as Emphatic Listening, Group Dynamics and Psychology of Institutions, and Franciscan Formative Approach.
For the first run, eight OFM friars are enrolled – two each from the Philippines and Malaysia, and one each from Indonesia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Vietnam. The hope is that potential formators from the entire Franciscan Family will participate in future runs. Minister General Friar Massimo Fusarelli and Asian Definitor Friar John Wong popped into the first Zoom tutorial to meet and encourage the participants.
Already the participants are seeing benefits from the programme.
“The AFFT has been enlightening. I already feel equipped with insights from our speakers that will not only enhance my role as a formator but also deepen my understanding of Franciscan values,” said Friar Francis Moneda from Cebu Province.
For Friar Aiden Peter Jr, the course has been a transformative journey. “One lesson resonates deeply: the significance of adult pedagogy in Franciscan formation elucidated by Friar Augustinus Nggame from Indonesia. His teachings illuminated the formator’s role not merely as an educator, but as a facilitator of life, engaging in the divine act of creation,” he said.
Friar Bernat Anthony from Sri Lanka is grateful for the opportunity to participate. “It (has) helped me to understand the most challenging and delicate part of the ministry of formator is to be a patient and discerning guide to those entrusted to my care,” he said.
On 6 April 2024, members of Fraternitas, the Franciscan youth and young adult ministry, had the privilege of having a conversation with Friar Massimo Fusarelli, Minister General of the Order of Friars Minor. Also present were friars from the General Definitory, the Order’s governing body.
The dialogue was a bridge between generations. As Friar Massimo said, he aspires to visit the different provinces and custodies, and be touched by the diverse realities of the Order across the globe. The dialogue in Singapore was one of his engagements with the next generation of believers.
In the spirit of synodality, the dialogue provided a platform for the youth to express their hopes, dreams and concerns regarding the Church and its role in their lives. Each question revealed their longing for understanding and spiritual growth. The topics ranged from discernment of God’s will to overseas mission and outreach to finding meaning in suffering with joy. There was a palpable sense of trust and openness as the young people felt embraced by a leadership willing to listen and learn.
Reflecting on the dialogue, Therese Soh, 25, shared, “I was struck by how personable and down to earth the Minister General was.
He answered all our questions in a good-humoured way and was easy-going, attentive, and friendly. I was heartened to hear the Minister General share about how he, as a young person, was inspired to embrace Franciscan spirituality and join the Order. To me, his sharing highlights the importance of formation of the youth, so that they may be nurtured into men and women after God’s heart.”
The dialogue between the youth of Fraternitas and Friar Massimo Fusarelli was a testament to the transformative power of authentic encounter and genuine dialogue within the Church. It was a reminder that by listening and learning from one another, we create space for the Holy Spirit to move in our midst and guide us ever closer to the realisation of God’s kingdom on earth.
Through the dialogue, a vision for the Church as a place where young people can first encounter Christ, have their faith stirred, and build Christ-centred friendships emerged.
“Renewing Our Common Vision as Lay Friars in a Fractured World: Franciscan Contemplatives Formed for Pastoral Ministry and Evangelisation” is the discerned theme and orientation for the 15 lay brothers from the South Asia, Australia and Oceania Conference (SAAOC) gathered at the La Salle House in Singapore. The entities represented: Australia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia-Singapore, Sri Lanka, Timor Leste and West Papua.
Br Massimo Fusarelli, Minister General, wrote a very encouraging letter to all gathered, inviting them to deepen their identity as brothers and minors and to also be very daring to welcome back the completeness of our vocation.
The 3 full days of presentation and fraternal sharings were focused on contemplation on the life of Lay Brothers; thoughts and ideas about Formation and finally on pastoral ministry and evangelisation matters. Throughout the week, Br David Leary facilitated the process of mutual deep listening, honest articulation of experiences and insights, and made sure that every voice in the room is heard.
From the richness of the discussions emerged several recommendations for the International Gathering to consider and these revolve around the structure and process of initial and ongoing formation that is essentially Franciscan but also human in its psychological and professional aspects. The recommendations also expressed the pressing need for intentional discernment to the lay brothers’ vocation and the appropriate accompaniment by formators and entity leaders.
To balance the serious work, event organiser Br Vernon Chua ensured that there were also recreational activities like visiting the various communities in Singapore and also touring some of the local attractions like Gardens by the Bay, not forgetting to enjoy a sumptuous seafood dinner by the beach, complete with tasting the famous Singapore Chilli Crab!
All in all, the participants sincerely felt that they had a week of directed fruitful discussion and life-giving fraternal experience.
From April 7 to 13, the General Definitorium and the General Offices of Formation and Studies, Missions and Evangelization, and Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation met with the brothers of the entities of the Franciscan Conference of Asia and Oceania (FCAO). The event was hosted by the Province of San Pedro Bautista at Manila (Philippines).
After the first day, the meeting proceeded, alternating plenary moments, thematic meetings, formal and cultural visits to Manila and its surroundings.
In his message entitled, “Living and Bearing Witness to the Gospel in Pluralism”, addressed to the representatives of the Conference, the Minister General, Br. Massimo Fusarelli, underlined how Christians are a minority in those places, and the Franciscans even more so. “We have the opportunity of being pilgrims and foreigners in this world, serving the Lord in poverty and humility (RB 6, 2). Following the Lord Jesus in his abasement as brothers and minors today, I believe, can mean becoming capable of remaining open, listening and communicating with many, without pretensions,” the Minister said, recalling also how the life of the Friars Minor in Asia and Oceania is characterized by a vast range of realities. Many brothers, in fact, are engaged in ordinary pastoral work, as well as in works of charity, education and social assistance, trying to respond to the needs of the population. And all this invites the Order to respond as brothers and minors in a synodal manner, just as Pope Francis invites us to do in his encyclical Fratelli tutti.
Br. Nikola Kozina e Br. Baptist D’Souza, respectively Director and Vice Director of the Development Office, presented the objectives and the services which the office offers, providing practical advice on project proposals. The presentation of Br. Albert Schmucki, Director of the Office for the Protection of Minors and Vulnerable Adults, aroused much interest among the assembled brothers, given the priority that the Order is giving to this topic.
The representative of the General Secretariats of Formation and Studies and of Mission and Evangelization met with their counterparts, sharing lights and shadows, challenges and strengths, various proposals to discuss, enrich and incorporate into the listing of resolutions which the FCAO will have to take into consideration. The same occurred for the JPIC offices.
The General Definitors had discussions with the Asiatic entities, addressing their concerns and recognizing the salient points raised by their ministers. In the meeting they also saw important documents such as resolutions, recommendations, and declarations. These documents were based on in-depth discussions during the secretaries’ and facilitators’ breakout sessions.
The brothers of the General Curia had the opportunity to visit some places of the cultural heritage of the Philippines, such as the historic Intramuros enclave of Manila, the cathedral of the city, the sanctuary of the parish of S. Antonio in Forbes Park, the recently built parish of Santa Chiara d’Assisi in Navotas-Malabon, the sanctuary of Nostra Signora degli Abbandonati. The group also visited a so-called “insertion community”, a new concept of formation in which the brothers live and work with the poor while pursuing their theological studies.
Friar Gerald Tan giving Ms Shivaun Goh, 23, from the Church of Saint Anthony a haircut. Photo: Friar Gerald Tan.
My name is Friar Gerald Tan OFM, and I am one of a handful of lay friars in the Franciscan order in Singapore.
In 2020, the year I made my solemn profession of religious vows, I discerned that the Lord was not calling me to the priestly ministry – in other words, not to become an ordained friar – at least, in this foreseeable season in my life as a fully-fledged Franciscan friar.
Choosing the path of becoming a non-ordained religious – what we call a lay friar or Franciscan brother – came to me as a surprise. It was as though the Lord threw a spanner in the works!
Earlier on my discernment journey, although I had been aware of the option of not moving into the ordained state in religious life, I did not understand why anyone would make such a decision and miss out on the “full package” of being ordained.
Being ordained a priest always seemed to be the default choice, since those who are not ordained undertake the same duration of seminary studies as those on the path to ordination.
Others felt it was a waste not to go “all the way”. At first, I believed this too, thinking ordination was the only option. I also feared that if I did not get ordained, I would be seen as lousier, lesser, or in the Singapore lingo, “CMI” (cannot make it).
But closer to my solemn profession, I realised that these “scripts” and socio-cultural beliefs were not at the core of my discernment. This was not about missing out, but instead, about a deep and personal call from the Lord Jesus, and through deeply knowing myself in responding to that call.
Later on, in my journey of formation and discernment, I realised that becoming a priest was just one of the expressions of ministry to God’s people as a Franciscan friar, as there are many other ways that a religious can be called to serve God’s people based on their personal gifts, talents, qualifications, and the needs of the community.
One key question I asked myself during my discernment was, “Do I have the stirring and desire to administer the sacraments?” To be honest, I did not.
I did, however, feel a growing desire to accompany and journey with others through their faith and personal struggles, especially through spiritual direction and other forms of individual and group accompaniment.
This desire to be available to others led me to minister to God’s people, without being an ordained minister of the Church, in four ways.
The first was through being formally trained in the ministry of spiritual direction, which I undertook in 2022. I regularly meet young adults for monthly spiritual direction sessions, and also direct individuals in their personal or silent retreats.
Secondly, I was appointed the local vocation director for the Franciscan Friars in Singapore. This allows me to journey with young men and to help them listen to and discern God’s will and vocational call for them, be it to the Franciscan order, or otherwise.
Thirdly, my theological and spiritual direction training allowed the Lord to use me to journey with young Catholic couples preparing for marriage within the Church.
Finally, a unique way for me to minister to others was through hairstyling, after taking up haircutting courses for men and women.
The Lord inspired me to do this through a YouTube video documenting the ministry of a Friar-barber in America.
Applying this in the local context, I was able to merge the aspect of spiritual direction with the bond between hairstylist and regular patron.
This helped me to bring God into the everyday life of His people, providing a safe space and time for them to share whatever they wanted with me, while getting a nice haircut in the process!
