Cebu, PHILIPPINES — From May 30 to July 25, the city of Cebu is hosting the 2026 edition of the Inter-Franciscan Course for Missionaries working in Asia. This important training initiative brings together 15 participating friars: 5 Friars Minor, 5 Conventuals, and 5 Capuchins.
Despite some initial logistical difficulties related to obtaining visas, which kept us preoccupied right up until the last minute, the group finally came together. It is a highly multicultural assembly, comprising six Vietnamese friars (four Friars Minor and two Conventuals), four Indian friars (three Conventuals and one Capuchin), two Indonesian friars (Capuchins), two Filipino friars (one Friar Minor and one Capuchin), and one Sri Lankan friar (Capuchin).
The Capuchin contingent consists of five missionaries: Br. Bruce Norman Paul David Baclor (Philippines), Br. Jerrin Joby (India), Br. James Jeric Quintas (Sri Lanka), Br. Diego Viktorianus (Indonesia), and Br. Benedetto Benno (Indonesia). Accompanying them as the Capuchin facilitator is Br. Praveen Stephen Dsouza, a missionary in the Nagaland-Manipur Delegation in India, who had already participated in the previous course in Cebu in 2023.
The Capuchin contribution also extends to instructors, with two experts: Br. Justino Sánchez Durán, former General Treasurer, for the training week on “Mission and Economics,” and Br. Luca Stefano, currently engaged in interreligious dialogue in the United Arab Emirates, for the week on “Mission and Dialogue.”
The First Steps: Brotherhood and Innovation
The friars were welcomed at the Redemptorist retreat house beginning on May 28. The official beginning of the course took place on Sunday, May 31—the Solemnity of the Holy Trinity—with a solemn Eucharistic celebration and a festive welcome dinner featuring traditional songs and dances from their respective countries.
The first week focused on introducing the course structure and focusing on integration. During the personal introductions, many participants shared videos and multimedia materials about their backgrounds. This highlighted a true revolution in communication among the younger generations. Further confirmation of the importance of digital media came from our facilitator, Br. Stephen, an expert in communication, who created a well-produced welcome video that included a message from our General Minister with English subtitles.
On Wednesday, June 3, the ceremony of inauguration and inter-Franciscan commitment took place, prepared and presided over jointly by the three Secretaries General for Evangelization and Mission, to highlight the collaboration among the branches of the Order; this was followed by a photo session. The following days featured presentations on the Franciscan presence in Asia, which sparked great interest among the fifteen participants, as well as the commencement of the work of the three commissions (liturgy, communication, and social issues).
The overall impression after the first few days is extremely positive. The group is young, highly motivated, and possesses strong skills in facilitation, communication, and leadership, and has shown a willingness to engage with the course’s activities.
Each week, a professor will visit to cover the established topics, and to encourage further in-depth exploration on these subjects. Saturdays will be dedicated to field trips and practical applications.