Since my Solemn Profession on 17 September 2024, I have been going to Johor Bahru on weekends. While I continue my studies at St Francis Xavier Seminary and remain a member of the Greccio Friary community, as part of my ministry, I serve the Bahasa Malaysia community of St Joseph Church in Johor Bahru.
It has been a life-giving experience to serve this community, most of whom are from Sabah and Sarawak, and I am grateful to Fr Matthew Bun, parish priest of St Joseph Church, Plentong, for welcoming me into his parish. I have been involved with the choir, participated in the Basic Ecclesial Community, held retreats for communion ministers, accompanied the young adult community, and joined in the Parish and Melaka-Johor Diocese Harvest Festival celebration, which is a celebration of culture, nature, humanity and faith as part of integral ecology.
If there is one thing God has invited me to respond to in my ministry this year, it is the ministry of presence. In giving formation, sharing sessions and retreats, I find myself focusing on the importance of being present and deepening our relationship with God. In this digital and demanding age, we need to hear the true voice of God so that we can stay grounded in Him.
This call is not only for the people to whom I minister. It is also an invitation for me. I find myself often sitting with God in the adoration room, saying “Dear Lord, what do You want me to share?”.
What gives me hope in my ministry is seeing that conversations about faith, vocation, family and ministry are still relevant. These deeper conversations are when the promise of Jesus in Matthew 18:20 – “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” – comes alive.
In response to the Malaysian Brothers Gathering in January 2025, I try to be with the St James of the Marches community in Johor Bahru on weekends. I am blessed to spend time with Friar Sixtus Peter, who serves at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Johor, and Friar Claurence Motoyou, who serves at the Church of the Immaculate Conception.
Whether it is joining them for prayers and meals, or accompanying Friar Sixtus for Mass or ministries, these are for me ways of supporting the community and living out the ministry of presence. In all of this, I can hear God’s voice clearly saying, “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” (Matthew 18:20).
As I go about my studies and ministry, I am thankful to my mentor, Friar Gerard Victor, for helping me to stay grounded, and reminding me to maintain balance as a friar, between studies, ministry and prayer life.
Editorial Note from the Custody of St. Anthony – Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei
We are pleased to share this joyful news from the OFM Province of San Pedro Bautista, Philippines. Among the seventeen brothers admitted to the novitiate is Br. Maximillian Alexson Anak Michael Keriben, OFM, a member of our Custody. He is currently in the Philippines for his novitiate year with the wider Franciscan community. Let us continue to keep him and all the novices in our prayers.
Friar Maximillian receiving his novitiate habit.
Liliw, Laguna – May 29, 2025 — In a solemn and grace-filled liturgical rite, seventeen young novitiateofficially received into the religious life as novices during the Rite of Initiation at the Juan de Plasencia Novitiate House. The sacred ceremony, conducted during Midday Prayer, was presided over by Br. Lino Gregorio V. Redoblado, OFM, Minister Provincial.
As a visible sign of their commitment, the brothers were vested in the habit of probation, marking their formal entry into the Franciscan Order. With the blessing of the habit, they embraced a life dedicated to prayer, fraternity, and service, following in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi.
Upon the conclusion of the rite, Br. Lino entrusted the newly received novices to the guidance and formation of their novice master, Br. Mark Angelo Vito, OFM, who will oversee their spiritual and communal growth throughout their novitiate year.
The Province rejoices in this momentous occasion and offers fervent prayers that these seventeen brothers may persevere in their vocation, advancing in faith and devotion as they embark on their journey within the consecrated life.
Province of San Pedro Bautista – Philippines
Br. Joery P. Abayon, OFMnov
Br. Ronaldo M. Arevalo, OFMnov
Br. Justine Don R. Cartaño, OFMnov
Br. Jewel Ysmile L De Leon, OFMnov
Br. Julius Cesar C. Macalit, OFMnov
Br. Ralph Harvey A. Malaga, OFMnov
Br. JC C. Quirong, OFMnov
Br. Renz Adrian G. Ronda, OFMnov
Br. Alfiyando Syahnafi, OFMnov
Foundation of St. Francis of Assisi – Myanmar
Br. Charles Ko Ko My Myint, OFMnov
Br. David Pau Sian Muan, OFMnov
Br. John Paul Salai Inngar Kyaw, OFMnov
Br. Pius Salai Zaw Paing, OFMnov
Br. John Thang Kap Tuang, OFMnov
Br. James Thang San Mung, OFMnov
Br. Columban Mung Hkai Yaw, OFMnov
Custody of St Anthony Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei
Br. Maximillian Alexson Anak Michael Keriben, OFMnov
Greetings from Rome. For the last year or so, I have been in Italy, in school once again! Since October 2024, I have been studying Franciscan Spirituality at the Pontifical University of St Anthony (better known as the Antonianum). It has been an eye-opening journey and once again, I am astonished at God’s blessings for me in this new phase of my vocation.
In February 2024, after having served in the parish in Kuching for six years, I went to Florence for a six-month course in Italian. I stayed with the Italian friars (at the Provincial Curia of Tuscany), where I not only learnt their language, but also their culture and way of expressing Franciscan life. One of the most beautiful things I took away from that experience was their emphasis on fraternal togetherness, so much so that we sat down for recreation over coffee and snacks after every meal!
When the university term began in October, I became part of an international community of approximately 100 student friars from more than 30 countries. Including the professors and staff, there are about 120 of us living at Antonianum now. This diverse atmosphere provides me with the opportunity to discover another friar’s background and story. I am truly thankful to the Lord for the brothers who form part of my journey now. Whenever I need a break from pasta and cheese, I invite some friars to dine at a superb Chinese restaurant nearby.
Going back to school has made me much more appreciative of the richness of our Franciscan intellectual tradition.
One of the most enlightening courses I have taken so far is on the writings of St Francis of Assisi. In total, 30 works are attributed to him (some written in his own hand, others he dictated, and many more which were collaborations). He wrote praises, prayers, letters, rules, admonitions, peppering them with the Scripture passages he loved so dearly. In all of them, we hear the authentic voice of Francis: his utter love and reverence for God and all creatures, his deep humility and impulse for mission. He was a man aflame with God’s word and love, so much so that he inspired and continues to inspire generations of Franciscans – religious and lay – to follow in the footsteps of Jesus.
Despite the many difficulties and challenges that threatened the Order from within and without, Francis continued to entrust his life to the Trinity, aided by the intercession of Mother Mary. His courageous example gives me reassurance that all is in the hands of God as I walk along the path of my religious calling.
I conclude my short sharing by humbly requesting you to pray for all of us here. May we grow wise and humble in the knowledge of God, as we proclaim his salvation to all.
ABOVE (left to right): Jason Ng, Mark Lee, Friar Aiden Peter, Daniel Frances, Samuel Tan. Photo taken during community recollection at MacRitchie Reservoir.
A new chapter has begun for four young men. In a simple rite held during Morning Prayer and Mass on 11 January 2025 in the chapel of St Anthony Friary, Singapore, they were received into the Postulancy Formation Programme of the Custody of St Anthony Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei.
The Postulancy programme is a vital part of the initial formation process during which candidates receive special accompaniment from the Postulant Master and the fraternity as they seek to answer the call to follow Christ in the spirit of St Francis of Assisi.
Each postulant brings a unique journey of faith to this new chapter of their lives.
Mark Lee, from St Louis, Kluang, Johor, is the second of three children. Faith has always been central to his life, shaping his desire to serve God and others. Before joining the Postulancy, he was a lecturer and was active in his parish, where he experienced the joy of walking with others in their spiritual journeys.
Jason Ng, an only child, grew up in the Church of St Mary of the Angels, where he was in the choir for many years. Before joining the Franciscans, he was a Laboratory Executive in a research lab. His vocation was shaped by his encounters with the friars, as well as his involvement in Fraternitas and Franciscan Young Adults, which deepened his love for the Franciscan way of life.
From St Joseph Church (Bukit Timah) comes Daniel Frances. He is from a family of five and is passionate about food, travelling, and caring for animals and plants. Before joining the friars, he was a social worker assisting families facing challenges. Seeing the joy of the friars in their service to others inspired him to explore Franciscan life more deeply.
Samuel Tan moved to Singapore from Bandung, Indonesia at 16, and worked in the financial industry before joining the Postulancy programme. He has a deep love for nature, through which he experiences God’s greatness—much like St Francis in the Canticle of the Sun. The strong sense of fraternity within the Franciscan community and St Francis’ deep love for peace drew him to this vocation, with the hope of becoming a channel of God’s peace to others.
Guided by their formators (Cosmas Francis and myself), Mark, Jason, Daniel, and Samuel have embarked on a journey of formation, self-discovery, and deepening their baptismal commitment. Through personal and communal prayer, spiritual readings, development programmes, and seminary studies, they will be given the tools to embrace and embody the Franciscan values of fraternity and minority.
As they take these first steps, let us surround them with our prayers and ask the Lord to bless and guide them in their discernment. May their witness inspire others to listen to God’s voice and respond with courageous and generous hearts.
From February 17th to 22nd, 2025, at the San Damiano Integration House in Baguio City (Philippines), the postulants of the Philippine Provinces of San Pedro Bautista and St. Anthony of Padua, and those of the Custody of St. Anthony (Singapore-Malaysia-Brunei) and the St. Francis of Assisi Foundation (Myanmar), were involved in a joint Psycho-Spiritual Integration Program for postulants.
The program, promoted by Br. Chris Tibong, OFM (S. Pedro Bautista), aims to strengthen the bond between the postulants of the Entities involved, promote personal bonds between the participants and focus on the understanding of the human person through the Human, Christian and Franciscan dimensions.
In the human dimension, participants had the opportunity to revisit their inner childhood, focusing on their wounds and how they cope with past experiences. The goal was to support their journey towards inner healing and liberation.
A deep sense of prayer and devotion rooted in Franciscan spirituality was observed throughout the program. As our Seraphic Father St. Francis of Assisi said, “do not extinguish the spirit of prayer” was an integral part of the program.
The Franciscan dimension focused on the themes of fraternity and minority. The program reminded participants that the foundation of our vocation to fraternal life lies in opening ourselves to others, accepting ourselves, and engaging in dialogue with both ourselves and others.
It was this spirit of brotherhood that inspired the creation of a joint program, allowing participants to grow in the life of fraternity. The meeting was made possible through the collaboration between the Philippine Provinces, the St. Francis of Assisi Foundation in Myanmar, and the Custody of St. Anthony of Padua in Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei.
This program is a constant invitation to integrate the lessons into daily life, as participants embrace the Franciscan way of living.
Early in 2024, I made the decision to apply for my Solemn Profession, and a date was set. However, our ways are not God’s ways, and the original date was changed to 17 September, the Feast of the Stigmata of St Francis of Assisi. This year is the 800th anniversary of the event, and I believe this change of date was God’s intention, that the Holy Spirit guided the council members towards the decision. What made it even more special was that Pope Francis visited Singapore five days earlier.
I began postulancy in 2017 and looking back, I realise that the Franciscan way of being an itinerant has been very real. Each year, I moved to a different Franciscan community in Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia and East-Timor, often not knowing the actual destination and simply trusting in God’s guidance. I believe this captures the real meaning of the word “itinerant” from the Latin “iter”, which means “way” or “journey”. Through my encounters with the Lord in everyone and everything along the way, my life has been gradually transformed.
God has never given up on me, even though my prayers often sound like complaints: “Lord, help me! O Lord, why? Lord, what should I do next? Lord, I’m not sure. Should I stop here?”. He continues to guide me to this way of life and especially to the Franciscan mission.
For me, the Stigmata of St Francis occurred because of his deep connection with Christ. It symbolises a union and confirmation of a relationship between a human being and Christ Jesus, sharing in his suffering and love. It is not just about physical marks but also about experiencing the reality of his wounds. As St Bonaventure saw it, Francis became “another Christ” not only because of the stigmata but because of how he related to others and all creation. He became a person of mercy, reconciliation, and peace, allowing himself to be completely embraced by the compassionate love of the crucified Christ. For the sake of love, he held nothing back and gave everything to the One he loved (Ilia Delio, Franciscan Prayer).
Professing my vows confirms my response to God’s love and my desire to give my life fully to him in the Order of Friars Minor. My Solemn Profession is not just a public declaration of my commitment to live the evangelical vows of obedience, with nothing of my own, and chastity. These vows guide and remind me that my journey is about faithfully living out the Rule of the Friars Minor, following the poor and crucified Christ, and recognising God in my fraternity, in the people of God, and in God’s creation.
