On July 22-26, 2024, the Provincial Custody of St. Francis Anthony Fasani in Vietnam hosted the 2024 Annual Meeting of the Federation of Asian Minor Conventuals (FAMC). The meeting was held at the Annunciation Friary in Hồ Chí Minh City, Vietnam.
This was the first time since the pandemic that all of the Provincials, Custodes, and Delegates of the Federation were able to attend. Those attending included the Vicar General, Friar Jan MACIEJOWSKI; the Assistant General for the FAMC Federation, Friar Benedetto Seung-jae BAEK; and eleven members of the Federation.
On the first day, the National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) in Vietnam, Father Jerome NGUYỄN (Đình Công), gave a lecture on: “The Catholic Church in Vietnam – Opportunities, Challenges and Hopes.”
On the second day, Friar Maximilianus Kalef SEMBIRING was elected FAMC Vice-President and Friar Patrick VARGHESE (KANNADAN) was elected FAMC Secretary. Afterwards, reports were presented on each Jurisdiction in the Federation.
On the third day, the FAMC Assistant General, Friar Benedetto Seung-jae BAEK, presented the questionnaire for the 2025 Ordinary General Chapter. Some clarifications were made and Friar Benedetto asked for additional contributions from the Jurisdictions. The Vicar General, Friar Jan MACIEJOWSKI, speaking on behalf of the Minister General, Friar Carlos A. TROVARELLI, informed the friars about some important topics, including the 2025 Jubilee Year. Friar Michael EARALY discussed the details of the recent meeting of the General Definitory with the Presidents of the Federations. The Most Reverend Joseph NGUYỄN (Tấn Tước), Bishop of Phú Cường, Vietnam, visited the friary and had lunch with the friars and the postulants.
On the fourth day, the friars went on an outing.
On the last day, the Custos of the General Custody of the Sacred Convent of St. Francis in Italy (Assisi), Friar Marco MORONI, talked about the ministries of the friars of the Custody of Assisi, where the venerable remains of our holy founder St. Francis have reposed for centuries. During the final session, the FAMC Federation members discussed and proposed some common formation and mission initiatives. The members will meet again online before the end of the year.
Friar Emmanuel GIVA
Photos: Friar Benedetto BAEK
