The first three Conventual Franciscan missionaries in Sumatra set out from Italy and arrived in the country on February 6, 1968.

After spending a few months learning Indonesian, the national language, they officially founded a mission in the Delitua area on October 31, 1968. Today, it serves as the Custodial curia.
Throughout 2018, the friars of the Custody of Indonesia celebrated this jubilee with various activities and events. Notable among these were the assemblies of the guardians and pastors, spiritual retreats, a scientific study on the life of the Conventuals, with data from both the friars and the people collected through questionnaires provided by the Faculty of Psychology of the Atmajaya-Jakarta Catholic University. The research results were presented, reflected upon and discussed by the friars during their 2018 Fraternal Assembly.
On December 30, 2018, the jubilee culminated with festivities in Delitua. Participants in the celebration included the Minister General, Friar Marco TASCA; the Assistant General for the FAMC (Federation of Asian Minor Conventuals) Friar Benedetto BAEK; Friars Valerio FOLLI and Germano TOGNETTI, who represented the Mother Province, the Italian Province of St. Anthony of Padua (Northern Italy); Friars Carmelo COMINA and Salvatore SABATO, former missionaries who returned to their homeland; and Mrs. Vitalia MURRU, the sister of Friar Antonio MURRU, one of the first missionaries in Indonesia. Also present were friars from the Custody and some 7,500 faithful from all of the areas where our confreres work.
The Mass that day was celebrated by the Most Reverend Anicetus SINAGA, OFM Cap., Bishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Medan together with the Most Reverend Kornelus SIPAYUNG, OFM Cap., Bishop of Medan and the Most Reverend Josef SUWATAN, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Manado and member of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart.
After Mass, a monument called the “Missionary Cross” was inaugurated, with the blessing and signatures of the Bishop Emeritus of Medan, the Minister General and the Provincial Custos. Lastly, three gray doves were released in front of the Grotto of the Madonna, located on the friary compound.
The celebration ended with speeches, lunch, some musical presentations, ethnic dances and various games.

From the Custody