On April 22, 2023, Minister General Br Massimo Fusarelli established the Custody of Saint Anthony of Padua as a new Province of San Antonio de Padua in the southern Philippines. In addition to the friars, this historic event was graced by the presence of Definitor General Br John Wong, Delegate General Br Marcelo Ghirlando, as well as Minister Provincials from Northern Philippines, Japan, and Vietnam.
During the inauguration mass of the first Provincial Chapter at the Franciscan Retirement Center in Minglanilla, Cebu City, the decree of erection was issued. The election of Br Renee C. Dean, OFM, as Minister Provincial, Br. Neil J. Badillo, OFM, as Vicar Provincial, and Br. Prisco A. Cajes, OFM, Br. Arturo C. Daquilanea, OFM, Br. Crisologo O. Dragon, OFM, and Fr. Christopher B. Villanueva, OFM as Councilors to complete the new Provincial Definitory. Then, as a Provincial Chapter, the friars reviewed and recommitted themselves to their approved mission, vision, priorities, and chapter resolutions from the 2022 Custodial Chapter.
The event was especially significant because it was the first visit of a Minister General of the Order to the entity and Br. Massimo’s first act of establishment of a Province in the world.
Before becoming a Province, the Custody of St. Anthony of Padua existed as an autonomous entity for sixteen years, with special focus on the service of dialogue. Currently, it consists of sixty-seven solemnly professed brothers, six friars in temporary profession, three novices, five postulants, and seven aspirants. There are nineteen communities across Visayas and Mindanao, including mission communities among Muslims, indigenous, and the poor.
The new Province is also preparing to begin a new mission community in Thailand.
In the Photos:
19/4 Liturgy of welcome for Br. Massimo and Br. John at the Custodial House in Cebu City
19/4 Dialogue with Custodial Council
19/4 Visit to Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral and Basilica Minore del Santo Niño
19/4 Courtesy visit to Archbishop of Cebu, Most Rev. Jose S. Palma, DD
20/4 Meetings and celebration with Poor Clare Sisters from monasteries in the Visayas and Mindanao, and with the members of Cebu Inter-Franciscan Family
21/4 Visit to San Vicente Ferrer Parish with Outreach Program, Dialogue with Parish Pastoral Ministry, and Novena Mass for the 47th Anniversary of the Parish
