In conjunction with the declaration of the Autonomous Custody of St Anthony (Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei), The Genesis Special Edition 2023 commemorates many friars of different background and origin who have laid the foundation in Singapore and making the dream come true for the locals in Singapore and Malaysia.
Our deepest gratitude and appreciation to all friars and friends who have been part of the formation of the Custody.
On April 17th, 2023, I renewed my Temporary Vows for the third time in Indonesia’s Francis Friary Chapel in Jakarta. It dawned on me that I had the experience of renewing my vows in the hands of three Provincial Ministers and my Custos to date. From my first profession of vows in the Philippines to my subsequent two renewals in Singapore and now in Indonesia.
Friar Marvin renewing his Temporary Vows for another year in the hands of Friar Mikael Peruhe OFM, the Minister Provincial of St Michael the Archangel, Indonesia.
This year, I find myself in my Franciscan year. God has led me to Indonesia to strengthen the connections between St. Anthony Custody of Malaysia-Singapore and St. Michael the Archangel Province of Indonesia. But the main reason I am here is to learn more about Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation and Eco-Pastoral, both in the fieldwork and in structured administration.
While being away from my brothers in the St. Anthony Custody of Malaysia-Singapore, I believe that God has prepared a unique path for me to experience Him. This path may be less traveled, but I trust that it is the right one for me. In every journey, be it healing from past wounds, restoring our hearts, or facing challenges in life, I believe that God is with me every step of the way.
Friar Marvin signing the documents of his renewal of vows with a Solemn Professed Friar as witness.
At times, my focus may shift, and I may feel discouraged, but I know that the choice to follow this path is mine. This opportunity has taught me to step out of my comfort zone, encounter new things, and deepen my Franciscan spirituality as an Itinerant, much like Saint Francis of Assisi. He always praised the Lord in his journey and encounters with people.
In my encounters with the friars and people of Indonesia, I aspire not only to appreciate the differences and similarities in culture and language but also to allow God to guide me to see what He wants me to see and be what He wants me to be. Despite my weaknesses, I bear witness to how beautiful the world is made for all of us.
As I made my Third Renewal of Vows, I trust in God the Father to continue giving me the strength to see the world through the eyes of His Son, Christ Jesus.
– Friar Marvin Voo, OFM
A group photo with the friars at Francis Friary Chapel, Jakarta Indonesia.
Pada tangal 17 April 2023, saya memperbaharui Kaul Sementara untuk ketiga kalinya di Kapel Biara Fransiskus Jakarta, Indonesia. Saya menyadari bahwa saya telah memperbaharui kaul dalam tangan tiga Pelayan Provinsi serta Kustos. Berawal dari Kaul Pertama di Filipina, pembaharuan di Singapura dan kini di Indonesia.
Friar Marvin memperbaharui Kaul Sementara untuk setahun di dalam tangan Friar Mikael Peruhe OFM, Pelayan Provinsi St. Mikhael Malaikat Agung Indonesia.
Pada tahun ini, saya menjalani tahun Fransiskan. Saya meyakini bahwa Allah sendiri yang membawa saya ke Indonesia untuk mempererat hubungan antara Kustodi St. Anthony Malaysia-Singapura dan Provinsi St. Mikhael Malaikat Agung Indonesia. Selain itu, Saya juga belajar lebih banyak mengenai Komisi Keadilan, Perdamaian dan Keutuhan ciptaan serta Ekopastoral, baik dalam kerja lapangan maupun dalam hal tata administrasi.
Meskipun berada jauh dari saudara-saudara di Kustodi St. Anthony Malaysia-Singapura, saya percaya bahwa Allah telah menyiapkan jalan yang unik bagi saya untuk mengalamiNya. Jalan ini mungkin kurang dilalui, tetapi saya percaya bahwa jalan ini adalah jalan yang tepat bagi saya. Setiap perjalanan, baik itu penyembuhan dari luka batin, pemurnian hati, atau menghadapi tantangan hidup, saya percaya bahwa Allah selalu bersama saya.
Terkadang, fokus saya mungkin berubah dan mungkin merasa putus asa, tetapi saya sadar bahwa pilihan untuk mengikuti jalan ini adalah pilihan saya. Kesempatan ini telah mengajarkan saya untuk keluar dari zon selesa, mengalami hal-hal baru, dan memperdalam spiritualitas Fransiskan saya sebagai seorang musafir dan perantau (Itinerant), seperti Santo Fransiskus dari Asisi. Dia selalu memuji Tuhan dalam perjalanannya dan dalam perjumpaan dengan setiap orang.
Dalam pertemuan saya dengan para saudara fransiskan dan orang-orang di Indonesia, saya diteguhkan tidak hanya untuk menghargai perbedaan, persamaan budaya ataupun bahasa, tetapi juga membiarkan Allah membimbing saya untuk melihat apa yang Dia ingin saya lihat serta menjadi seperti apa yang Dia inginkan. Walaupun memiliki kelemahan, saya menjadi saksi tentang betapa indahnya dunia yang diciptakan bagi kita.
Ketika memperbaharui kaul Ketiga, saya percaya pada Allah Bapa yang terus memberi saya kekuatan untuk melihat dunia melalui mata PutraNya, Yesus Kristus.
– Friar Marvin Voo, OFM
A group photo with the friars at Francis Friary Chapel, Jakarta Indonesia.
In the first official biography of St Francis of Assisi, the author Thomas of Celano, one of the Saint’s first companions, wrote:
“Once while he (Francis) was staying near the town of Greccio, a certain brother brought him a live rabbit caught in a trap. Seeing it, the most blessed man was moved with tenderness. ‘Brother rabbit,’ he said, ‘Come to me. Why did you let yourself get caught?’ As soon as the brother holding it let go, the rabbit, without any prompting, took shelter with the most holy man, as in a most secure place, resting in his bosom. After it had rested there for a little while, the holy father, caressing it with motherly affection, let it go, so that now free it would return to the woods. As often as it was put on the ground, it rushed back to the holy man’s lap, so he told the brothers to carry it away to the nearby forest. Something similar happened with another little rabbit, a wild one, when he was on the island in the Lake of Perugia.”
Life of St Francis, Chapter XXI
There are numerous stories of how Francis extended the same loving care towards birds, fish and even earthworms, and how he praised the Creator through all created things. It is no wonder that Pope John Paul II named Francis of Assisi the Patron Saint of Ecology on 29 November 1979.
The story of Francis and the rabbit gives us an example of how we can live the reality of fraternity with every person and all creatures:
1. Be moved with tenderness: The brother who brought the rabbit saw the creature as food. Francis saw it not as a thing, but as a brother.
2. Welcome others into your life: We live in a world of fear, and people try to protect themselves because they have been hurt and threatened in many ways. Francis was so secure in himself and so welcoming in his love for all, that the rabbit instinctively knew it could run to him and find refuge.
3. Do not cling to anything or anyone: The rabbit wanted to stay with Francis, and Francis might have been tempted to keep the rabbit as a pet. But he knew that wild rabbits are meant to be free, and he found his own freedom in letting go.
4. Don’t stop at one act of generosity: As Thomas of Celano wrote, “A similar thing happened with another little rabbit, a wild one, when he was on the island in the Lake of Perugia.”
