Why I Chose My Name – Catholic News Singapore

Why I Chose My Name – Catholic News Singapore

by | Nov 10, 2020 | Vocation

The young Fra John Paul Tan giving Holy Communion during the 1986 Papal Mass at the National Stadium. Photo: Marc Tan

Together with a group of youth who staged the musical “Poverello” in 1986, we stood in the rain as we welcomed Pope John Paul II into the National Stadium for a first-ever Papal visit to Singapore.

Many of us still alive have been privileged to witness the election of Karol Wojtyla to the Papacy and onto his canonisation. Having seen how he burst upon the world stage in his very unconventional choice of doing away with many papal accessories to his Dr Martens footwear, his time as Pope was marked by a deliberate evangelical effort to bring the faith to the far-flung corners of the globe.

Many have wondered if by any chance I was named after St John Paul II. Well, if truth be told, I was a convert in 1979 and chose the name after John Paul I. I was caught up with the gentle disposition of the new Pope and the smile he wore meant more than any volume of words. Karol Wojtyla, whose pontificate succeeded the short reign of John Paul I, also saw in him a special charisma, and so adopted the name of John Paul II.

Names in the Papacy are highly significant – both the Popes chose this double-barrelled name to denote the direction of their Papacy i.e. to fully implement the reforms of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965). Both Pope John XXIII and Pope Paul VI straddled the Council and were instrumental in the beginning and conclusion of Vatican II respectively.

Monsignor John Paul Tan, OFM

Catholic News Singapore

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.

Tuhan Beri Petunjuk? – Friar David Au, OFM

by | Jun 18, 2020 | Vocation

Tuhan Beri Petunjuk?

Bukankah kita seringkali dipenuhi dengan keraguan? Namun, iman kita mengatakan bahawa Tuhan senantiasa menyampaikan kehendak-Nya kepada kita. Pesanan Tuhan itu adalah konsisten, dan utuh. Kita tidak pernah bersendirian dalam perjalanan ini. Yesus memberikan kita Roh Kudus untuk memimpin kita dalam mengenali “tanda ” yang menunjukkan kita ke hala tuju yang benar. 

Saksikan renungan salah seorang friar yang terlibat dalam Promosi Panggilan. Friar David Au, OFM menggambarkan perjalanan beliau sebagai seorang Fransiskan.

Does God Send Signs? – Friar David Au, OFM

by | Jun 18, 2020 | Vocation

Does God send signs?

Don’t we all long for that kind of clarity? Nonetheless, our faith assures us that God is always communicating his will to us. God’s message is consistent, sure, and irrefutable. We are not alone on this journey; Jesus gives us the Holy Spirit to guide us on the way to read the “signs” that point us in the right direction. 

Check out this reflection by one of our friars involved in promoting vocations. Friar David Au, OFM describes his journey as a Franciscan friar.

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.

Three Men Welcomed Into Postulancy

Three Men Welcomed Into Postulancy

by | Feb 8, 2020 | Custody, Vocation

On 8th February 2020, we were blessed to have Julian Chua (from Church of St Mary of the Angels, Singapore), Sylvester Singh (from Church of Christ The King, Singapore), and Timothy Fong (from Sacred Heart Cathedral KK, Sabah) begin their Franciscan life in our Custody.

The new postulants were welcomed by the brothers at St. Anthony Friary Chapel in a simple but meaningful liturgy with brother Philip Miscamble, the Minister Provincial.

Under the direction of Friar John Soh, the three postulants will begin their journey as Franciscans. Apart from activities such as gardening, household chores, studies, and recreation in a typical day, they are also undergoing initiation year in the historical College General in Penang, studying subjects including Salvation History, Growth & Spirituality, Vatican II, Introduction to Liturgy, and Music. They are also involved with the apostolate for the blind.

From Left : Sylvester Singh, Julian Chua, Timothy Fong, Friar John Soh (Postulant Master)

When asked about their wishes in this journey, all three expressed a desire to follow Christ in the footsteps of St Francis of Assisi. “In my postulancy, I hope to flourish in living the gospel of Jesus Christ,” shared Br Timothy, “to be assisted in pondering the innermost roots of my vocation and to experience the Franciscan life step by step.” Br Julian, likewise, hopes “to be immersed in Franciscan community life, prayer, and ministry”, and adds that he seeks “to be guided in the preparation for religious life.” Br Sylvester hopes to deepen his love of Christ through a fraternal life of joy, prayer, and service with his fellow brothers. “I pray for the grace of openness to the Holy Spirit, our Teacher and Guide.”

Let us pray for our three new postulants in this stage of their discernment.