Singapore Franciscans Mark St. Francis’ 800th Anniversary with Drama, Testimonies

Franciscans in Singapore marked the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi through a dramatic presentation of key moments in his life and testimonies from members of the Franciscan family on October 3.

Friars, sisters and lay Franciscans gathered at the Church of St. Mary of the Angels in Bukit Batok, a residential area in western Singapore, for the celebration themed “From God, through God, to God.”

The parish is served by Franciscan friars of the Custody of St. Anthony, whose territory includes Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei.

The celebration formed part of the Franciscan Centenary, a four-year commemoration marked by five celebrations involving Franciscan friars, sisters, Poor Clares and Secular Franciscans.

The dramatic presentation, based on the Testament of St. Francis written toward the end of his life, portrayed several significant moments in his journey. It was performed beside a replica of the Portiuncula, the small chapel near Assisi where Francis died in 1226.

The presentation depicted Francis embracing a leper, hearing the call at San Damiano to repair the Church, welcoming Clare and his first companions, meeting the Sultan during the Crusades and accepting death as “Sister Death.”

The scenes were interwoven with testimonies from members of the wider Franciscan family, connecting the experiences of St. Francis with their own ministries and vocation.

A Franciscan Missionary of Mary spoke about her congregation’s ministry among people affected by leprosy in Asia and other parts of the world. She also shared her experience serving at Kakuma refugee camp in northwestern Kenya.

A sister of the Franciscan Missionaries of the Divine Motherhood spoke about bringing Holy Communion to older people in their homes and rehabilitation centers.

“While I may think I'm bringing Jesus to them, they are also bringing me back to Jesus,” she said.

A postulant who had spent almost a year with the friars described living with eight friars at different stages of religious life.

“The Lord calls, the Lord leads, and the good Lord provides,” he said.

Fr. John Paul, who said he had lived in fraternity for 43 years, reflected on Francis’ teaching on “perfect joy.” He acknowledged that community life can bring both consolation and hurt and encouraged the Franciscan community to respond to wounds with peace rather than retaliation.

“When fraternity wounds us, let us not give up on fraternity,” he said.

Janet, who made her profession as a Secular Franciscan in 2007, explained that members of the lay Franciscan order continue to live in their homes and work in their professions while following the Franciscan way of life.

She said the order has more than 300,000 members worldwide, including about 50 to 60 in Singapore, of whom 41 are professed.

“It is not joining an organisation, but it is really God calling us to this way of life,” she said.

The evening concluded with the singing of the “Canticle of the Creatures,” St. Francis’ hymn of praise for creation, followed by the Gospel account of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples and the blessing contained in Francis’ Testament.

The parish’s jubilee program will continue on October 16 and 17 with “TO GAZE: St. Clare of Assisi,” a production focusing on the life of St. Clare, Francis’ companion and founder of the Poor Clares.