Fare thee well, Bro Dominic Francis OFM Cap

Nov 14, 2019

By Fr Michael Raymond OFM Cap
Bro Dominic Francis OFM Cap, the longest serving Malaysian Capuchin friar, passed away Oct 30 at the age of 83.

Born on March 12, 1936, in Penang, he later settled in Taiping. He entered the Capuchin Order in 1962, joining the community in Batu Arang. Later he was sent to India for formation.

He embraced the Capuchin way of life, making his first profession on June 7, 1964, and his solemn profession in 1971 at Monte Mariano, Mangalore, India.

He returned to Malaysia in 1972 to begin his life as a Capuchin brother at Gethsemani Friary, Cheras, and remained a friar for 55 years.

Living his vocation as a laybrother, he found fulfilment serving both the fraternity of brothers and the Church community. He was faithful to his call as a brother with all his capabilities, gifts and limitations. He was always at the service  of the fraternity, placing himself at the service of others. The initial part of his vocation was to assist and serve together with the friars from India in their mission, driving them to their pastoral ministries.

He assisted as the friar-in-charge of the St Francis of Assisi Kindergarten, Cheras, serving both as its Principal and driver for the kids and parishioners who needed his help.

A man for all seasons, he was the gardener, the handyman, the caretaker, protector and nurturer of the life of the fraternity and the parish community.

To the friars, he was always embraced as both Mother and Father, looking into their daily lives and seeing to the needs of the community in his own quiet and humble ways.

A man of few words, he served as the local superior for nine years, giving selflessly of himself in all community and fraternal activities.

He took all initiatives to establish  the three friaries of Gethsemani Friary, Cheras, St Pio Friary, Ulu Tiram and St Felix of Cantalice, Penang.

The fondest moments of his selfgiving nature was towards the Vietnamese refugees. It was during the period between the 1970s until the 1990s where he opened the doors of Gethsemani Friary to be a temporary settlement for the refugees.  He tirelessly looked into their welfare, liaising with the authorities for the needs and well-being of the Vietnamese refugees.

The legacy of this simple friar remains in the hearts of the friars of the Malaysian Custody and the many people whose lives he has touched with his simple life, kind words and his quiet presence.

In 2013, Bro Dominic became  a resident at the St Francis Xavier Home, Cheras, when he had several medical health issues. It was a time of much pain and silent suffering.

In the early morning of Oct 30, he surrendered to the Lord and embraced Sister Death. May his soul rest in peace.

His funeral was held at the Church of St Francis of Assisi (SFA) Oct 31 with Custos Fr Michael Teng OFM Cap the main celebrant.

Archbishop Julian Leow concelebrated with Cardinal Soter Fernandez and other priests from within and outside the diocese.

His legacy is also rooted and embedded in the hearts of SFA parishioners as he had served their needs with his listening ear.

He is remembered fondly by the catechism children then as the bearded brother. “Praise be my Lord, through our sister Bodily Death, from whom no living person can escape.”  (St Francis of Assisi).