Friar Marvin Making His First Profession

Friar Marvin Making His First Profession

by | Jul 11, 2020 | Custody, Vocation

On July 11, 2020, Friar Marvin Voo made his first profession into the Order of Friars Minor of the Custody of St Anthony Malaysia- Singapore-Brunei.

Receives the Friar Minor’s habit and cord with the three knots symbolises the three vows he temporarily professed which are to live all the days of his life in obedience, without anything of his own and in chastity.

The First Profession is the official entry into the Order of Friars Minor and it comes after a year of Postulancy and one year of Novitiate. Postulancy can be likened to a year of probation. During this time, the gradual transition of culture and intensification of fraternal living help to make clear a candidate’s personal and individual inspiration for being called to the life, spirit and mission of the Friars Minor. Novitiate is a time to consolidate and further clarify his vocation intentions as he prepares for the First Profession. During Novitiate, the candidate receives the Friar Minor’s habit and the cord without
any knot because he has not taken the vows of poverty, obedience and chastity. This was the path Marvin Voo took over the last few years.

The Provincial Minister of San Pedro Bautista Friar Cielito R. Almazon OFM received Marvin’s profession.

Friar Marvin made his First Profession at the Minor Basilica Santuario de San Pedro Bautista Parish, Quezon City, Philippines. The profession, made into the hands of the Provincial Minister, Friar Cielito R. Almazan OFM, was for 16 months. The next milestone in Friar Marvin’s journey would be the renewal of profession to be held on April 16 2021 (the traditional date of St Francis’ profession into the hands of the Pope), with the other friars in formation. At his profession, the newly-professed Marvin received his knotted cord.

The next day, he flew back to Malaysia and joined the community in Ayer Hitam, Penang.

The Penang Community comprises Friars Marvin, Oliver, Arul , Timothy (Postulant) and John Soh.

The Genesis – Part 1

by | Jul 4, 2020 | Custody

Early Beginnings of the Custody of St Anthony

Friar John Paul Tan, OFM examines how our Custody grew rapidly in the 1950’s, and how our simple brotherhood spread throughout Malaysia and Singapore.

The history of our Custody is very rich and spans over more than 50 years. It all began with Blessed Gabriele Allegra, OFM, who was best known for his important work of translating the Bible into Chinese.

Don’t miss the second part of The Genesis series! Continue your journey with us : The Genesis | Part 2 – History of The Custody of St Anthony (I)

Blessed Feast of St Anthony

Blessed Feast of St Anthony

by | Jun 12, 2020 | Custody, Spirituality

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

A blessed and joyous Feast Day of St Anthony to you!

To celebrate the feast of our Custody’s patron, we invite you to join us for the online Feast Day Mass of St Anthony here.

In addition, we are delighted to launch our updated website which features many new and exciting content, including reflections, Custody news and a brand-new virtual shrine in honour of St Anthony. You are most welcome to submit your petitions to our beloved brother and saint!

By improving our online presence, we hope to minister to you in a relevant, effective and meaningful way. Do check us out here at www.franciscans.sg  We have also prepared a special tribute to St Anthony (below) where Friar Derrick shares his love and connection to St Anthony in a new video.

May the Lord grant you blessings, peace and joy always! Alleluia!

Tweeting the Good News?

Tweeting the Good News?

by | Apr 2, 2020 | Custody

With dioceses around the nation suspending masses, sacraments, and other in-person worship services—as well as all public gatherings—for the foreseeable future as a result of the extraordinary measures government and health officials are implementing to reduce the spread of COVID-19, our brothers have resorted to an expanded and comprehensive digital outreach effort to stay connected in prayer and worship with families and friends.

Utilizing social media platforms – along with some creativity – the friars are now bringing prayer and worship, meditations and reflections, and faith-sharing directly into the homes of thousands of Catholics.

Connect with us through our Official Website, Youtube, Instagram and Facebook.

Four Friars For Solemn Profession

Four Friars For Solemn Profession

by | Feb 8, 2020 | Custody, Vocation

The Solemn Profession of Four Franciscan Friars.

Over a thousand people from Singapore and beyond, attended the solemn profession of Friars Robin Toha, Crispus Mosinoh, Sixtus Pitah and Gerald Tan, at the Church of St Mary of the Angels, Bukit Batok, on the 8th February 2020.

The solemn profession mass, presided by the Minister Provincial of Holy Spirit Province, Friar Phillip Miscamble, began with a procession: firstly, of the four friars accompanied by their parents, then followed by the other Franciscan friars and celebrants. Gracing the event with their presence were families from Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore, diocesan seminarians, religious congregations including the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception (FSIC), the Franciscan Missionaries of the Divine Motherhood (FMDM), the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary (FMM), the Redemptorists, Canossian Sisters, Infant Jesus Sisters, Gabrielite brothers, Good Shepherd sisters, Missionaries of Charity (MC) sisters, Carmelite friars, secular Franciscans and many others.

            What was unique about this solemn profession was the blessing of the four friars by their parents, a ceremony similarly found in an Indonesian traditional wedding. The Custos of the Custody of St. Anthony, Friar Derrick Yap thanked the congregation who came from near and far, in spite of the on-going threat of the CoVid-19 virus in Singapore.

            The four friars who just had taken their solemn profession will continue to stay at Greccio Friary, Chestnut Drive as they continue their studies at St Francis Xavier Major Seminary, Singapore. They are expected to conclude their seminary formation by 2021.

Finally, and most importantly, we thank the Lord for calling each one of us on the path of holiness and conversion. Whether as consecrated religious or not, may all of us be channels of peace and grace after the example of our beloved saint, St Francis of Assisi.