By Herald News
CHERAS — The Church of St Francis of Assisi was filled with joy and thanksgiving as members of the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) from the different fraternities gathered for a significant double celebration, the Rite of Admission and the Rite of Permanent Profession on April 18.
The celebration began with the announcement of candidates by Local Minister, Mario Richard Peter OFS, and Formator, Margaret Cecilia OFS, who also serves as Vice Minister. Four members were presented for Permanent Profession, followed by five candidates seeking admission into the Order.
The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Fr Gilbert James, OFMCap, Custos of the Custody of Malaysia-Singapore. In his homily, he offered a reflection drawn from the Gospel account of Jesus walking on water and the first reading of the early Church’s appointment of deacons to serve at table.
Addressing both those entering formation and those making lifelong profession, Fr Gilbert described the OFS vocation as a radical call to live the Gospel secundum formam Sancti Francisci — according to the form (Rule) of St Francis of Assisi. He reminded the assembly that this commitment is not an escape from the world, but a deeper immersion into it through faith and witness.
“To you being admitted today: do not be afraid. Jesus comes to you in the storm of your life,” he said, reflecting on the Gospel scene of the disciples in the boat. “Your admission is not a graduation, but the moment you invite the Lord to be the captain of your storm.”
To those making their Permanent Profession, he emphasised perseverance amid life’s challenges. “Your final promise is not a guarantee of calm seas,” he said, “but a declaration of trust: even in the storm, I know Your voice.”
Drawing from the Acts of the Apostles, he connected the institution of the first deacons with the Franciscan identity of service. He highlighted how Secular Franciscans are called to serve at the “tables of daily life” — in the family, workplace, among the poor, and within parish communities — echoing the Franciscan call to be minores, the “lesser ones” in humble service.
He further underscored the centrality of the Eucharist in Franciscan spirituality. “The boat is the Church, the sea is the world, and the shore is the Kingdom,” he said. “Every time you receive the Eucharist, you are strengthened to walk through the troubled waters of life with Christ.”
This celebration was particularly meaningful as some of the candidates had journeyed through their formation during the challenging period of the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating perseverance and fidelity despite difficulties.
At the conclusion of the celebration, the newly professed members and candidates formally signed the fraternity register together with the Local Minister and the Custos, marking their commitment and entry into the life of the Order. The joyous occasion continued with a time of fellowship, as all present were invited to gather in fraternity and thanksgiving.
The liturgy concluded with prayers to Mary, Our Lady of the Angels, entrusting the newly admitted and professed members to her maternal intercession and the continued guidance of the Risen Christ.
The occasion marked a renewed commitment among Secular Franciscans to live out their vocation as lay men and women deeply rooted in the Gospel, witnessing peace, humility, and fraternity in everyday life.
The fraternity also expressed hope that more faithful will be inspired to embrace the Franciscan way of life, as these members boldly said “yes” to following the path of St Francis in today’s world.
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