The Lord said to His first followers: “Come, follow me” (Mark 1:17) It was an invitation

to partake in a lifetime adventure. It was an invitation to blaze a trail of holiness. And I, 2000 years
later, invited to walk upon the same trail, following Jesus the way Saint Francis of Assisi
journeyed.
“Blessed Francis said “learn from me because I was a true disciple of Jesus Christ.” He
was not a forgetful listener of the Word of God, instead he puts it into practice (Sermon 59 Of our
holy father Francis). The Lord also brought me on a similar journey. He invited me to listen to His
voice and calling me today to set for a journey to the world, to the Church and to the Order. He
exhorted me to discern which path to take and to renew my love for Him. Each person and
everything He has created encouraged me to learn from His good examples. He urged me to go
forth and undertake the work to which he calls me today.
Every person has been given a vocation by God. It is the particular role of God’s
Providence that each one of us has been given benefit for ourselves and for the world we live in.
Like my experience, I felt blessed when I was called to join the Mission Franciscan Foundation in
Thailand then was sent to the Philippines for studies and formation for my future ministry. Hence,
in the near future, the world I lived in will also benefit in the way of life I will live and in the
witnessing that I will do.
Franciscan formation is based upon a personal encounter with the Lord and begins with the
call of God and the individual’s decision to walk with Saint Francis in the footsteps of the poor
and crucified Christ as His disciple under the action of the Holy Spirit. “Ongoing formation then
enables the friar minor to assume a contemplative attitude capable of listening to God” (RFF 111).
Hence, the formation team in the Philippines particularly in the Province of san Pedro Bautista
also builds a program for the formandee in this way. Today, I am already in the post novitiate
phase of formation. This phase is also called temporary profession. It is a period usually from a
minimum of three and a maximum of nine years in which one integrates his Franciscan call into
the consecrated life of the Order of Friars Minor. Being fully formed in the Franciscan way of life
is a multi-step process, one that lasts a lifetime! A commitment to this formation in every phase of
life calls forth and strengthens our Christian and religious identity as Franciscan friars.
“The past is prologue. God is calling us to somewhere new, a place we do not yet
recognize.” - (Fr. Jose Carballo, OFM Former Minister General, 119th successor of St. Francis of
Assisi)
The first time when I was informed that I will go to the Philippines to continue my
formation was little bit of anxiety. I worried about the society, language and weather. Although it
is not far from Vietnam or Thailand, Philippines is actually a place that I just heard from the
brothers in my country but I have never been. It is only in the internet that I see the Philippines but
have never seen in the reality. However, despite of these anxieties, I trusted God and totally
followed the decision of the formation team. Traversing this new journey of mine is full of mystery.
Still, I believed that God has a better plan for me in this place. Thus, I am deeply convinced that
He already prepared this beautiful place where I can encounter Him more closely.
 Going through the different stages of formation; in novitiate and 2 years since I made my
first vows, I can confidently say that: "God is good all the time". Even facing with changeless,
difficulties in life, this formation, with the help of formators, and with my brothers I have grown
up spiritually and physically. Indeed, God called me when I am in my ‘comfort zone’ and led me
to a place where I am like a ‘gold refined in a fiery furnace.’ One thing I learned in this journey is
that God do not give a challenge that no one can accomplish. And most importantly, God do not
give a journey that He is not present at all. What I mean here is that God called me, sent me and
most importantly he accompanied me in this journey. God did not abandon me. Instead, he is on
my side all the days of my life, ‘from the rising of the sun to its setting.’ Trusting in Him is
important! Like me a foreigner in the Philippines who knows nothing about the said place but I
trusted God with all my heart. And now I can truly say that whatever happens and wherever the
Order sent me, ‘I am confident and unafraid’ for the ‘Lord hears me whenever I call Him.’
Now, to those who wanted to answer the call of the Lord in your hearts, I invite you to
‘Come’, ‘See’ and ‘Discern’ for yourself the sublime master piece that God has made for you. Do
not be afraid, ‘take up your cross and follow me.’ The Lord gave me brothers, as Francis said, then
be a gift then for me and for the community!