A Reflection on the Franciscan Vocation – Justin Lim, ofm

I have a dream…to go somewhere… and the Journey (of a thousand miles) begins with a small step…

I hear a voice… Restore my Church

Who will you serve? The master or the Servant? If it be the master then return…

In 2002, I joined the postulancy program. The years in formation are moments of Grace. The Call, the invitation ‘Come and See’
and to live the Franciscan journey and the dream does not end at solemn profession. It continues…

My journey is not one that I could control or predict for it is God who leads… It has brought me to Thailand, East and West
Malaysia, Australia, Cambodia, Brunei and finally Italy where during the 30 days retreat in Assisi in December 2007 in
preparation for solemn vows, God spoke… and I responded by writing my letter of application for solemn vows.

“This is what I want, this is what I wish

“What you behold
& this is what I long to do
May you always hold
With all my heart.”
May Christ fill your heart

With the Love of God

“There is only one thing I ask of the Lord…
For this I long…to live in the house of the Lord
All the days of my life” Ps 27
That you may be enlightened interiorly and
with Joy follow Christ all the days of your life”
What you have felt,

“The Dream of Jesus the Beggar which I had May you always feel…
sometime after my Baptism when I was eight makes What you have experienced
sense now. Three times in the dream I walked May it always remain with you…
away from the Beggar at the street only to return and Deep in your Heart.”
give all that I had - 50cents. At that moment, the face

of the Beggar transfigured and it was Jesus who looked up and smiled at me.”

I will always be grateful to my mother who brought me up in the Catholic Faith and supported me through her prayers and my
father who is not Catholic in allowing me to make this choice in life and my sister for her love and contribution to the family. My
past and present Spiritual directors Fr Terrence Pereira, Fr William Goh, Sr Colette OSC and Fr Anselm Pang OCD who
journeyed with me from simple vows to present. My friends from Christ the King church especially those from the youth group
Oasis and the young adult group. Leonard Lee who was the first to speak to me about Francis and Regina for recommending me
the Poverello musical CD’s which led me to the Franciscan Dream. My close friends Colin Teo and Patrick Tang and good friend
Eng Lock.

My brothers from the communities I lived with for showing me the way and being patient with me. My Postulancy Master Br
John Soh, Novice Master Fr Theophane Rush and Novitiate community (John Roberts, Carl Schafer, Campion Muray and Betty);
My retreat Master of my years Br Michael Goh and my present formator Clifford for sincerely helping me to see who I really am
and to work with me on the Franciscan Journey and Dream. My fellow brothers William and Derrick who were with me since the
beginning for accepting who I am and for being a brother to me.

Our Provincial Minister Paul Smith, council members and ex-provincial Stephen Bliss for their support and prayers and for
trusting and believing in us. Our General Minister, Br. José Rodríguez Carballo and definitor Ambrose Van Si for making time and
effort to be with us.

And all of you from St Mary of the Angels who have always supported the Friars as benefactors and being our friends. All
Benefactors and Friends. A personal thanks to my benefactor who had supported me the past couple of years and with prayers.

May God Bless you all. Pax et Bonum