In this issue, we feature our Custody’s two communities in Peninsular Malaysia – St James of the Marches Friary in Johor and St Peter of Alcantara Friary in Penang.
Johor: St James of the Marches Friary
The St James of the Marches Friary is in a diverse Johor Bahru neighbourhood of Malay, Chinese, and Indian families, and the friars live simply among the people, following the Franciscan spirit of service and fraternity.
The friary is named after St James of the Marches, an Italian Franciscan friar who lived from 1391 to 1476. He is often depicted holding a chalice with a snake escaping from it, a reference to an attempt by heretics to poison him. His commitment to preaching and defending the faith, and his life of dedication, are a source of inspiration for the friars.
Until February 2025, the community consisted of three friars: Friar Moses Yap, who served as guardian of the house, Friar Claurence Motoyou, and Friar Sixtus Peter. The friars are engaged in various pastoral and social ministries in Johor Bahru.
Friar Moses served as the parish priest of the Church of St Joseph in Plentong from 2021 to 2024. He was also the spiritual director of the Legion of Mary and the Bishop’s Delegate for the Office of New Evangelisation. In February, as he marked his silver jubilee, he moved to the San Damiano community in Singapore for a sabbatical year.
Friar Claurence is parish priest of the Church of Mary Immaculate. He works closely with the migrant community and is a board member for mission schools in Johor Bahru. He also works with Villa Poulos, a home that provides care and shelter for underprivileged children.
Friar Sixtus is assistant parish priest at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He is the Bishop’s Delegate for the Office of Social Communication, managing the diocese’s website, media channels, and digital platforms. He is also vice-chairperson of the Episcopal Regional Commission of Social Communication for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei. In addition, he is a member of our Custody’s Development Office, assisting with social media content and the Franciscan calendar.
The St James of the Marches Friary is a place of prayer and service, where the friars continue their ministry in a simple and humble way, reaching out to those in need and contributing to the wider Church community.
Friar Sixtus Peter OFM
Penang: St Peter of Alcantara Friary
The Franciscan friary in Penang was established in 2017 as a place of prayer, fraternity, and formation. Named after St Peter of Alcantara, a 16th-century Franciscan, the friary serves as a formation house for Malaysians discerning the call to join the Order of Friars Minor.
St Peter of Alcantara was renowned for his deep spirituality, austere way of life, and commitment to reform within the Franciscan Order. A contemporary of St Ignatius of Loyola and St John of the Cross, he was a guiding figure in the spiritual lives of many, including St Teresa of Avila, whom he encouraged in her Carmelite reform. His unwavering dedication to prayer, humility, and penance are core values we strive to live by in our friary.
On a lighter note, the initials of St Peter of Alcantara (SPA) seem fitting for a friary on an island known for its sun, sea, and sand! Just as a spa offers refreshment and renewal, we hope that all who encounter us will experience the warmth, peace, and joy of Christ.
St Francis of Assisi said, “The Lord gave me brothers”, and our community of three solemnly professed friars—two from East Malaysia and one from Peninsular Malaysia—finds joy in living and serving together as brothers. Each friar brings unique talents that enrich our fraternity, from preparing home-cooked meals (Friar Cosmas Francis) to beautifying our friary (Friar Crispus Mosinoh) and reaching out to others with simplicity and joy (Friar Esmond Chua).
Our friars engage in varied ministries within the Diocese of Penang. We oversee the care of Risen Christ Catholic Church in Air Itam and provide Mass in English, Malay, and Mandarin across the island and the mainland, including celebrating weekly Mass at Mt Miriam Cancer Hospital.
We support the bishop in matters related to Religious communities, and we collaborate with fellow Religious in diocesan initiatives. We also provide spiritual direction to seminarians.
Additionally, we serve in several roles at the Custody level—Vocations, Development Office, Formation, and JPIC (Justice, Peace, Integrity, and Care for Creation).
There is always much more to be done, and we ask that you pray for us—for our friars, those we serve, and for more vocations to the Franciscan way of life.
Friar Esmond Chua OFM
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