Fraternal Fiestas in the Philippines

From 15-17 April 2023, Minister General Br Massimo Fusarelli and Definitor General for Asia-Oceania Br John Wong visited the Province of San Pedro Bautista in the Philippines, which is also responsible for Foundations in Myanmar and in Sri Lanka.

Catholicism was brought to the Philippines by Spanish missionaries, among whom was San Pedro Bautista who was eventually martyred in Nagasaki, in Japan. In 2020, the friars' Sanctuary of San Pedro Bautista next the Provincial House in San Francisco del Monte, Quezon City (Metro Manila), which is where the saint lived as a missionary in the Philippines, was accorded the status of a Minor Basilica. The friars also provide pastoral care in two separate Sanctuaries dedicated to St Anthony.

This visit by Br Massimo and Br John to Manila coincided with a series of fraternal celebrations of the Order, including the National Elective Chapter of the Order of Franciscans Secular, the meeting of Poor Clare abbesses of the Philippines, and a gathering with the annual renewal of vows of the professed friars of the Province. The 3-day visit culminated in the joyous celebration of the Solemn Profession of Vows by seven young friars, presided by the Minister General.

During their visit in Manila, the Minister and Definitor General also had meetings with the Provincial Definitory, Major Secretaries, the Formation Council, members of the Inter-Franciscan family, and all the brothers in Initial Formation. 

In addition, there was a communal celebration in the Kasama Inserted community, which is one of the two friaries in Manila where formators and friars in initial formation live in slums among the urban poor.

The Province of San Pedro Bautista is also preparing to celebrate with the brothers of the entity that was founded by them in the south of the Philippines, for their official establishment of the latter on 22 April 2023 as the new Province of San Antonio de Padua in Visayas-Mindanao.

Br John Wong
Definitor General for Asia-Oceania