Dear Friars, Poor Clare Sisters, and Friends of the Franciscan Missions, we are pleased to announce that the 2026 Inter-Obediential Missionary Course for Franciscans in Asia has begun in Cebu City, the Philippines. The course takes place from May 31 to July 24, 2026, at the Redemptorist Holy Family Retreat House. The theme of the course is: “Sent as Pilgrims of Hope to Asia: Living the Franciscan Jubilee in Mission and Fraternity.”
The proposal to run this course for missionary friars serving in Asia was approved by the Ministers General of the three branches of the Franciscan First Order: Friar Massimo FUSARELLI, OFM; Friar Roberto GENUIN, OFM Cap.; and Friar Carlos Alberto TROVARELLI, OFM Conv. The course was prepared and organized by the Secretaries for Mission Animation: Friar Francisco GÓMEZ, OFM; Friar Mariosvaldo FLORENTINO, OFM Cap.; and Friar Dariusz MAZUREK, OFM Conv. Friar Dennis TAYO, OFM, serves as the principal on-site coordinator for the program.
Fifteen friars from the three branches of the Franciscan First Order are participating in the course. There are five from each Order. They are accompanied by four facilitators. The participants come from the Philippines, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, and Vietnam. Those from the Order of Friars Minor Conventual include Friars Dominic ĐINH (Công Chưởng), Peter NGUYỄN (Quốc Bảo), Jomins KUZHIKANNIYIL, Lazar Abi CHEERAN, and Tijo VELLACHALIL. Friar Uriel Santos is also participating as an animator.
There were two particularly significant events at the beginning of the course. One was the inaugural Mass, celebrated on May 31, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. The second took place on June 3, when the friars gathered in prayer to invoke the light of the Holy Spirit and open their hearts to fully embrace this time of missionary formation.
The course aims to deepen reflection on the reality in Asia for missionaries, from both anthropological and social perspectives, as well as within the life of the Church. The participants explore topics such as missiology, the history of evangelization in Asia, inculturation, interreligious and ecumenical dialogue, the economics of mission, synodality, emerging communication challenges, and the safeguarding of minors and vulnerable persons. An important part of the program also focuses on Franciscan missionary identity in light of the 800th anniversary of the Transitus of St. Francis.
The course lasts eight weeks and includes opportunities for community building, lectures, formation sessions, experiences within the local Church, and spiritual retreats focused on mission from a Franciscan perspective. This is the fifth year the course has been offered across different continents, continuing the long‑running initiative based in Brussels. Over the years, the course has been held twice in Uganda, once in Colombia, and now, for the second time, in the Philippines.
The participants’ stay at the Redemptorist Retreat House has been made possible by the Kirche in Not organization and its benefactors. We express our heartfelt gratitude for their generosity, which has allowed the friars to undertake this time of formation, prayer, and fraternal preparation for missionary service.
Please pray for the missionary friars taking part in this course and for all missionaries serving in Asia. Let us entrust them to the intercession of the saints and blesseds associated with missionary work in Asia, namely: St. Francis Xavier, St. Lawrence of Manila, St. Paul MIKI and Companions, St. Andrew DŨNG-LẠC and Companions, and St. Joseph VAZ. Thanks sincerely for every prayer you offer.
Friar Dariusz Robert MAZUREK, General Delegate for Mission Animation
