The Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) within our Custody of St Anthony (Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei) elected new leadership teams in their Elective Chapters held in late March. Francis Park OFS, International Councillor for Asia-Oceania, presided at both Elective Chapters, with General Spiritual Assistant Friar Stefan Acatrinei OFM Conv as witness, reflecting the unity of the Secular Franciscan Order with the wider Franciscan family and the Church.
Singapore
In Singapore, 30 Secular Franciscans gathered at the Catholic Centre from 21 to 22 March 2026 for their National Elective Chapter. It was a weekend of beautiful and meaningful encounters with one another from different fraternities.
Before the Elective Chapter, we spent a day together looking back at the past three years – good times, difficult times but always times of striving to live the Gospel as St Francis did. We had seemed “tentative” at the last Elective Chapter in 2023. We were emerging from the Covid pandemic, so the mood was a little tense with a sense of not getting very far in all that we had done. It was truly, truly a case of “up to now, we have done NOTHING”.
However, the past three years saw us not just rearing our heads above water but bursting with newness and enthusiasm! God’s grace could not have been with us more than over the three years. He gave us 17 new members. This bountiful harvest has changed the profile of the OFS in Singapore quite markedly. We have become “younger”. Many of the new members come with the vitality of the younger. We thank God for this, and we look forward to a new phase of a mix of young and old, of new energy and old experience.
We spent valuable time in learning. We listened to stories of Francis – his fears, disappointments, his vulnerability, and that his total surrender was not a magical occasion but one that spanned years and shaped his approach to divinity.
We decided on the priorities for the next three years: formation, vocation promotion, JPIC and Youfra (Franciscan Youth).
We made fools of ourselves – gladly. We danced, we sang, we acted and most of all we laughed at and with each other.
Then on Sunday we got down to the business of electing the National Council who would lead us into the new phase. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we elected Nicholas Aw (Secretary), Geraldine Lim (Formator), Jennifer Marie (Minister), Caroline David (Vice Minister), Viviane Kwong (Treasurer) and Cecilia Shin (Vocation Promotor). Friar Derrick Yap OFM remains our National Spiritual Assistant.
Janet Lim
Malaysia
The Emerging National Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order in Malaysia held its National Elective Chapter from 27 to 28 March at the Pace Bene FSIC Centre, Papar, Sabah. The gathering brought together 110 Secular Franciscans from across the country, including 58 capitulars entrusted with the responsibility of discerning and voting.
The Chapter was conducted in an atmosphere of prayer, fraternity, and spiritual discernment. The session began with the summoning of Chapter Secretaries, Lindey Easter Apolonius and Claude Olivia E Jakim, followed by an opening address by Chapter President Francis Park encouraging the fraternity to move forward with courage and hope. During the formal dissolution of the outgoing National Council, special recognition was given to Sister Marina Anjuman for her six years of dedicated service as National Minister.
We elected the new National Council, entrusted with guiding the fraternity for the next three-year term – Harry Lawrence Bangguan from the Fraternity of St John, Tuaran (National Minister), Mario Richard Peter from the Fraternity of St Francis of Assisi, Cheras (Vice Minister), Dympna Richard from the Fraternity of Holy Rosary, Limbahau (National Formator), Agatha Karen Diwol from the Fraternity of St Joseph, Papar (National Secretary), Julian Kuliling from the Fraternity of St Francis of Assisi, Cheras (National Treasurer) and Jennifer Ann Michael Savrimuthu from the Fraternity of St Francis of Assisi, Cheras (Language Expert for Bahasa and Tamil). Friar Cruzender Alex OFM and Friar Tony Bingkuan OFM remain their National Spiritual Assistants.
The Chapter was a platform for dialogue and forward planning. Three key priorities were identified to guide the National Fraternity over the next three years – establishing Regional Fraternities in West Malaysia and East Malaysia, submitting amended National Statutes, and strengthening local formators along with the overall formation programme. These priorities reflect a shared commitment to strengthening organisational structure, governance, and spiritual formation within the OFS in Malaysia.
In his speech, newly elected National Minister Harry Bangguan stressed the importance of unity and fidelity within the Order, urging all Secular Franciscans to live in obedience to their ministers in accordance with the Rule and Constitutions of the OFS.
As the Emerging National Fraternity of Malaysia continues its journey toward full establishment, this Chapter stands as a testament to the faith, commitment, and unity of its members. Guided by the Holy Spirit and inspired by the charism of St Francis of Assisi, the OFS in Malaysia looks forward to a future marked by growth, service, and deeper communion within the Church and society.
Lindey Easter Apolonius
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