The friars of the Provincial Custody of the Immaculate Conception and Bl. Bonaventure of Potenza in the Philippines recently concluded the second part of their Ordinary Custodial Chapter at St. Joseph Friary in Tagaytay City, the Philippines. The Capitular sessions were held April 7-10, 2026, and concluded on April 11 with a fraternal gathering, aimed at strengthening the bonds of fellowship.”
The meeting brought together thirty-two Capitulars of the Custody and was graced by the presence of the Assistant General for the Federation of Asian Minor Conventuals (FAMC), Friar Giuseppe Myoungjin PARK.
The Capitulars considered fourteen motions that will guide the life of the Custody over the next four years, including a petition seeking the Custody’s elevation to a Province at the next General Chapter. Twelve of these motions were approved, reflecting the friars’ common discernment and their commitment to strengthening the mission of the Custody.
Elections were also held for the Guardians of the friaries. Friar Romulo N. (Gerardo) LOFRANCO was elected Guardian of St. Maximilian Friary in Parañaque; Friar John Nathan MAAGMA was elected Guardian of St. Augustine Friary in Parañaque; Friar Mariel (Luis A.) SANTOS was elected Guardian of St. Francis of Assisi Friary in Binangonan, Rizal Province; Friar Jeronimo JACOBO was elected Guardian of St. Anthony of Padua Friary in Dolores, Eastern Samar Province; and Friar Jose Christopher G. (Dominic) LIM was elected Guardian of Immaculata Friary in Novaliches, Quezon City. In addition, Friar Miguel (Jose Willy M.) SUMAGAYSAY, a religious brother, was postulated as the Guardian of the St. Joseph Friary in Tagaytay City, Cavite Province.
In the area of formation, Friar Romulo N. (Gerard) LOFRANCO was elected Formator of the Post-Novitiate, Friar Daniel (Disraeli B.) SUGATAN was elected Novice Master, and Friar Bernard (Angelito N.) ANUTA was elected Formator of the Postulancy Program. Friar Odorico (Michael Amiano) LAORENO was confirmed in his office as Director of Vocation Ministry. The Directors of the Custodial Commissions were likewise elected: Friar Alfonsus (Dante D.) PANALIGAN was elected Director of the Formation Commission, Friar Paulus SABATER was elected Director of the Worship Commission, Friar John Vianney (Alvin B.) ACOSTA was elected Director of the Patrimony Commission, and Friar Nicholas Dheles (Edilberto M.) SOLIS was elected Director of the Commission for Pastoral Ministry and Apostolate.
New Pastors were also appointed to the parishes entrusted to the Custody. Friar John Nathan MAAGMA was designated Pastor of St. Augustine Parish Church in Parañaque; Friar Mariel (Luis A.) SANTOS was designated Pastor of San Francisco ng Assisi Parish Church in Binangonan, Rizal Province; Friar Jose Christopher G. (Dominic) LIM was designated Pastor of St. Maximilian Parish Church in Quezon City; and Friar Nicholas Dheles (Edilberto M.) SOLIS was designated Pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish in San Juan (Lapog), Ilocos Sur Province. For the Mission in Nenita, Northern Samar Province, Friar Joachim (Ralph C.) PAZ was designated as the Friar-in-Charge.
The friars expressed confidence in the future of the Custody, aware of their mission to foster fraternity and service among the Filipino faithful. They also reaffirmed their readiness to carry out their ministry wherever the presence of Filipino Conventuals is needed, embodying the Franciscan spirit of simplicity, fraternity, and missionary zeal.
Friar Raphael (Kenneth Rey E.) YSULAN, Chapter Secretary
