January 23, 2025
“The Lord gave me brothers” is a phrase that St. Francis of Assisi used in his Testament (1226) to describe the gift of each brother to the Order and to one another. For the Capuchin Custody of Malaysia-Singapore, these inspiring words were taken up to be the main theme for the 7th Elective Custodial Chapter. The brothers assembled for the Chapter in Gethsemany Friary, Cheras, Selangor for a period of three days, spanning from January 21st to January 23rd. The previous Elective Chapter was convened three years ago, which is a term’s worth or a Triennium. At the end of each term, as is customary, the brothers are to elect among themselves three Perpetually Professed members of the Custody who will be willing to take up the ministerial office of Custos, First Councilor and Second Councilor respectively. As such, the Chapter provides the avenue for the brotherhood to manifest its nature as brothers given in service of one another, so as to better serve the Church at large.
The 7th Elective Chapter was officially commenced with a Solemn Opening Liturgy at the Friary Chapel, after which the brothers processed to the St. Lawrence of Brindisi Hall, adjacent to the Friary. Br. Edgar S. Martinez, OFMCap, Provincial Minister of the Capuchin Province of the Philippines convoked and presided over the entire Chapter, offering guidance where needs be. Reports from the different Fraternities in the Custody, on Formation and Vocation as well as Finance were among the agenda covered for the first day. Other matters which fit apart from the main agendas were designated for discussion on the second day of the Chapter.
The Election Proper which took place on the third day was the much-anticipated moment in the Chapter. Moved by the Holy Spirit and having cast their votes in a series of ballots, the brotherhood elected Br. Gilbert James, OFMCap to the office of Custos, Br. Michael Raymond, OFMCap as First Councilor and Br. Paul Cheong, OFMCap as Second Councilor. The newly-elected ministers accepted the brothers’ vote of confidence, and promised to carry this role of service with the help of God and the brothers’ generous cooperation in the new triennium. Later that noon, the Custos and his Councilors celebrated the Mass of the Holy Spirit with the brothers at the Chapel of Gethsemany Friary.
Trusting that it is God Who leads through elected persons, the brothers express their heartfelt gratitude to Br. Valentine Gompok, OFMCap and his Councilors who ministered to the brothers and steered the Custody in the previous term. Looking back and learning from the experiences of the past, there is much to be thankful for. Envisioning forward with hope and firm confidence in God, with Mary, our Mother, and with the help of the numerous saints in the Order who have gone ahead, the Capuchin Custody of Malaysia-Singapore breathes optimistically for the future. As the Elective Chapter concluded, to each brother, may it be heard again these words of our Seraphic Father, “I have done what was mine to do, may God show you yours.” Amen.
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