First Ongoing Formation for Guardians

MINGLANILLA, CEBU — The Province of San Antonio de Padua (Philippines) successfully conducted a two-day Guardians’ course from August 19–21, 2026, at the Franciscan Retirement Home in Minglanilla, Cebu. Initiated by the Provincial Definitory in collaboration with Br. Randy Rendora, OFM, the new On-Going Formation moderator, this seminar marks the official commencement of a specialized series dedicated to the continuous formation of friary guardians across the province. The intensive program aimed to equip guardians with the essential knowledge and practical skills required to effectively animate, guide, and support their respective local fraternities. Over the two-day period, participants engaged with a comprehensive program covering key administrative, spiritual, and communal topics:

• The Ministry of Guardians According to the Guardian’s Manual
• Orientation on the Provincial Statutes
• Orientation on the Provincial Financial Manual
• Presentation of the Guidelines for Drafting the Annual Project of Life
• Synodal Preparation for the General Chapter
• Orientation on the New Evangelization 2027

To ensure the technical and canonical concepts remained highly relevant and deeply practical to daily fraternal life, the schedule integrated interactive workshops and open forums between major presentations. These open-ended sessions allowed guardians to share concrete personal experiences, voice common challenges, and collectively address the modern problems encountered in local leadership. It is openly acknowledged that the ministry of guardians within the Franciscan brotherhood is inherently challenging. However, the Province emphasized a foundational trust in the capacity of each individual friar, reminding participants that guardianship is an active participation in the movement of the Holy Spirit within the fraternity.

The entire course proved to be a deeply spirit-filled experience, beautifully capped off on the afternoon of August 21 with a joyful and engaging encounter with Br. John Wong, OFM, the Definitor General for Asia-Oceania, who came to visit some friaries in our Province and in the North.