MISSIONER NEWSLETTER – Spring 2026
Hang Tran, Cambodia
Thanksgiving blessing after Mass of the 8th Centenary of the Transitus of St. Francis (1226-2026) in Cambodia.
The Gospel of John 11:1-45 tells the story of Martha and Mary, who sent word to Jesus that their brother Lazarus was ill. Jesus did not come right away intentionally, but came after Lazarus had died.
Mary fell at Jesus’ feet and said to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”
Jesus knew in advance that “Lazarus is asleep” and was “going to awaken him.” Yet, seeing Mary and the Jews weeping, “he became perturbed and deeply troubled” and “ Jesus wept.”
Why?
A Cambodian funeral, where the cremation process takes place in front of the deceased’s house.
Perhaps Jesus was weeping, not for the temporarily dead Lazarus, but for the alive Mary, for her loss, for her feeling the finality of separation from a loved one by death. He was moved with compassion for her suffering.
Jesus was incarnate as human, to “be with” and in order to show us the way. In this instance, Jesus was teaching Mary, Martha and his disciples about the transition from life on earth through death to new life. That new life can not be explained yet, but required their leap of faith. Hence, Jesus raised the dead Lazarus – a miraculous sign – so that they “may believe.”
What happens after death is mysterious and many people have pondered this mystery for ages. Each culture, faith tradition or individual addresses these topics in different ways. It is unfathomable to say the least. In the rotation of seasons, death plays an essential role. If I am mindful of the numerous blessings received and believe Jesus is Emmanuel (God with us), then time and again I will perceive God’s infinite love and mercy for all.
Recently, the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor had a celebration of the 8th Centenary of the Transitus of Saint Francis (1226-2026) in Tuol Krosang, Cambodia. In 2010 the Province of St. Francis in Vietnam sent three missionary friars to establish the current mission in Cambodia. More history can be found here.
On March 5, 2026 Minister General Br. Massimo Fusarelli and Definitor General for Asia and Oceania Br. John Wong and Minister Provincial for Vietnam Br. John of God Nguyễn Phước, and the Vietnamese Friars in Cambodia have come together with approximately more than three hundred faithfuls to celebrate a Holy Mass for this anniversary in this Franciscan Jubilee Year.
Lord Jesus Christ,
thank you for the seed of eternal life
that you planted in Francis.
Thank you because that seed continues to grow,
from generation to generation.
May it bear fruit in each one of us:
mercy toward the poor,
love for you, crucified,
faithfulness to the Church,
love of the Eucharist,
brotherhood and sisterhood without power,
and the witness of peace.
Amen.*
Br. Massimo shared this prayer with the congregation, as a reminder to grow the seed of eternal life entrusted to each of us while living with the challenges on Earth.
Jesus told Martha: “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
If Jesus asked you this same question, what will you say to him?
*This prayer was originally published in “A Seed for Eternal Life.” This was the General Letter that opened the 8ᵗʰ Centenary of the Transitus of St. Francis.
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A Maryknoll lay missioner since 2013, Hang Tran works with young people living with disabilities at the Home of Hope in Chom Chao, Cambodia.
