Philippines: Franciscan Third Order of the Immaculate Holds First National Assembly in Cebu
The Franciscan Third Order of the Immaculate (FTOI) in the Philippines held its first-ever National Assembly under the theme, “One Community, in Solidarity, Walking with Mary towards Jesus, Our Hope and Our Salvation.”
The two-day gathering took place on January 15–16 at the Church of Mary Coredemptrix in Barangay San Jose, Cebu City, bringing together around 130 members from dioceses across the country.
The historic assembly was initiated by the local Franciscan Tertiaries of Cebu, led by Mrs. Lawrence Torralba. In an interview with Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), Torralba said preparations for the national gathering took several months and were already underway long before Pope Leo XIV proclaimed a Special Jubilee Year of Saint Francis, to be observed from January 10, 2026, to January 10, 2027.
After securing permission from the FI Superior with jurisdiction over the Franciscan Society in the Philippines, the Tertiaries formally organized the national assembly—its first since the association was established in the mid-1990s, according to Fr. Maximilian Maria Tremocha, FI, the vocation director.
Speaking to RVA on the sidelines of the gathering, Fr. Tremocha commended the members of the Third Order for their initiative, noting the significance of the assembly taking place during the Franciscan Jubilee Year.
“The Tertiaries have a profound responsibility within the Franciscan family because of their consecration to the Immaculate and their Marian spirituality,” he said.
Describing the event as timely, Fr. Tremocha added, “The national assembly is providential because we never knew that the Holy Father would declare a special Franciscan Jubilee Year.”
“The Jubilee Year of St. Francis gives us an opportunity to dig deeper into the roots of Franciscan spirituality. It is an impetus for us to know St. Francis better and to understand the relevance of his spirituality in our lives today,” he said.
Fr. Tremocha recalled the pivotal moment in 1204, when St. Francis of Assisi, while praying before the San Damiano Crucifix, heard Christ’s voice saying, “Rebuild my Church, which, as you see, is falling into ruin.”
Initially, St. Francis interpreted the command as a call to repair dilapidated church buildings. Over time, however, he came to understand it as a call for the spiritual renewal of the entire Church.
According to Fr. Tremocha, Franciscan spirituality has long served as an antidote to many social and moral challenges throughout history. He emphasized that the national assembly provides a vital opportunity for spiritual renewal among the Tertiaries, enabling them to participate in the ongoing mission to “rebuild the Church.”
“We cannot eradicate corruption and various forms of human injustice if we do not first rebuild the Church,” he stressed.
In his conference address, Fr. Martin M. Fonte, FI, highlighted the distinct identity of the Franciscan Tertiaries of the Immaculate as both Marian and Franciscan. He encouraged members to rediscover their unique charism and allow it to shape their mission.
“Our task,” he said, “is to rediscover who we are and to let that identity form our service in the Church and in the world.”
The inaugural national assembly marked a milestone for the Franciscan Third Order of the Immaculate in the Philippines, strengthening unity, deepening spiritual commitment, and renewing their shared mission of faith and service.
