From December 16-22, 2022, Friar Maximilianus SEMBIRING, Vice-Secretary of the General Secretariat for Formation (SGF) carried out a formation visit to the Custody of St. Francis Anthony Fasani in Vietnam. Friar Maximilianus was warmly welcomed and his formation visit was a blessing for the friars since the young Custody has made formation one of its highest priorities.

Friar Maximilianus spoke to friars at every level and stage of formation about Franciscan Discipleship; the document had been recently revised at the request of the 2019 General Chapter. During the first part of his visit, Friar Maximilianus gave a presentation to eighteen postulants and their formators at the Annunciation of the B.V.M. Friary in Củ Chi, Hồ Chí Minh City, Vietnam. Next, he visited the St. Anthony Friary in Hồ Chí Minh City where he spoke to twenty-five student friars, their seminary formators and the Guardian. Later, he conducted an online presentation with eight novices and their novitiate formators. During the second part of his visit, he gave presentations to two other groups. The first group was comprised of formators. The second group was comprised of administrative members of the Custody.
As traditional each Christmas, on December 21, the postulants and post-novitiate friars visited orphanages and nursing homes near the two friaries in Hồ Chí Minh City. The visits were full of peace and joy. The friars and postulants sang Christmas carols to the orphans and the elderly and handed out Christmas gifts as well. Friar Maximilianus accompanied the friars on these visits. He enjoyed spending time with them and with the people they visited. After the charitable visits, all of the friars gathered at the Annunciation Friary for a fraternal evening and to express their gratitude to Friar Maximilianus for sharing his knowledge and experience through his practical and profound presentations on formation.

Friar Joseph NGUYỄN (Chính Luận), Custodial Secretary