Hail Holy Queen – The Friar’s Act
The St Mary’s Music Ministry and the Franciscan Friars have teamed up to bring a little something special to our Feast Day offering. First it was the Nuns, and now the Friars!
Their rendition brings back a little bit of nostalgia and a whole of contagious singing and fun!
Join them and share as they celebrate the Feast of St Mary of the Angels together! Inspired by Sister Act from the 90s, the Friars and the Music Ministry have created a wonderful and absolutely memorable version of Hail Holy Queen!
Mary’s Maternal Mediation
St Anthony even exclaimed: “Through you, Paradise has entered our world!” St Anthony found great delight and strength in invoking the “sweet name of Mary”, the “New Eve” and “Star of the Sea”, and his devoted imitation of the poor, humble Virgin in her poverty, littleness and purity of heart was such that his holy life became the very presence of Mary in the world.
And in the light of his being like Mary, who “always had her mind raised straight up to God in the contemplation of heavenly things”, it is no wonder we have the delightful account of St Anthony holding and adoring the Child Jesus in his arms.
May we learn from St Anthony, in the words of St John Paul II, that “devotion to Mary, by highlighting the human dimension of the Incarnation, helps us better to discern the face of a God who shares the joys and sufferings of humanity, the ‘God-with-us’ whom she conceived as man in her most pure womb, gave birth to, cared for and followed with unspeakable love from his days in Nazareth and Bethlehem to those of the cross and resurrection”.
FRANCISCAN PRAYER
Mary, our Queen, Holy Mother of God,we beg you to hear our prayer.
Make our hearts overflow with divine grace and resplendent with heavenly wisdom. Render them strong with your might and rich in virtue.
Pour down upon us the gift of mercy so that we may obtain the pardon of our sins.
Help us to live in such a way as to merit the glory and bliss of heaven.
May this be granted us by your Son Jesus who has exalted you above the angels, has crowned you as Queen, and has seated you with him forever on his refulgent throne. Amen.
A prayer of St Anthony of Padua, whose feast we celebrate on 13 June, after the Marion month of May when devotions are made in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Celebrating the Elderly on the Feast of St Ann and St Joachim
One of the significant celebrations in our Custody is the Feast of St Ann and St Joachim which falls on 26 July. This is because the friars have been serving in the parish of St Ann in Kuching, Sarawak since 2001. Under her patronage, the parish has grown from a small mission outpost to a vibrant parish.
Friars Don Don and David currently serving in St Ann Parish. 
Statue of St Ann and Child Mary at the entrance of St Ann’s Church.
Although dampened by COVID restrictions, the feast day this year is uniquely special because Pope Francis recently declared 25 July 2021 (fourth Sunday of July) the first World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. This is in no way a coincidence as St Ann and St Joachim are the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and grandparents of our Lord Jesus.
According to tradition, St Ann was an old woman when she conceived Mary immaculately in her womb. The years of shame and hardship that both of them endured as a barren couple turned to unsurpassed joy at the gift of a child, who would one day bear within herself the Messiah. This beautiful miracle attests to the fact that God can work through anyone He chooses.
From this elderly couple and indeed many others in Scripture (eg Abraham and Sarah, Zechariah and Elizabeth), God raises our hope and cements our belief that all of us are part of the body of Christ, each with a valuable and indispensable role.
In his message for this first celebration, Pope Francis reminds the elderly of their role, saying :
“Think about it: what is our vocation today, at our age? To preserve our roots, to pass on the faith to the young and to care for the little ones. Never forget this.”
– Pope Francis
Indeed, it is from the elderly that we inherit our faith, customs and traditions, from whom we learn the virtue of humility as we acknowledge the wisdom they have gained through years of life experience.
At the same time, the elderly need our special care and attention – more so in this time of social isolation. Who can bring them consolation from God, who assures us with these last words of the Gospel of Matthew – “I am with you always” (Matt 28:20)? Yes, the young, and the not so young!
As Pope Francis says in his message, “May every grandfather, every grandmother, every older person, especially those among us who are most alone, receive the visit of an angel!” Each of us can be that angel, but so too can parishes, and perhaps especially a Sarawakian parish under the patronage of the grandmother of Jesus.
Friar David Au OFM
Wishes & Greetings from His Grace Archbishop of Kuching Simon Poh, the Franciscan Friars and St Ann’s parishioners of Kota Padawan, Malaysia on St Ann’s Feast Day!
Sister Moon (Cake) 2021
Share in Our Mid-Autumn Celebration and Support Our Mission!
In collaboration with Gin Thye and Guan Chong Bee Enterprise, our Franciscan Store is offering you an exquisite selection of Pax et Bonum traditional mooncakes and premium Chinese teas.
Pre-orders only. Limited quantities available.
Place your order here by 8 August, 2021.
Collection from Aug 14-15, 2021 at St Anthony Friary, 5 Bukit Batok East Avenue 2, 659918, Singapore.
All profit and any donation will be channeled to our registered charity, The Order of Friars Minor (S) Ltd.