Start looking to someone

It is time to stop looking for something and start looking to someone – Jesus of Nazareth.

I, Friar Jason Raj OFM Cap a parishioner from the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Butterworth, Penang Malaysia. I was born on the 13th of June. The first time I think of becoming a Capuchin was when I saw a brown habit capuchin priest who was celebrating my uncle’s wedding mass for the first time in my parish. I was struck with his habit. Why brown habit? Maybe he looks like St. Anthony of Padua. That’s my inspiration and I wanted to be like him in the future and my vocation journey begins. Simplicity and humility is the main reason for my attraction to being a Capuchin. I knew God has a great plan for me. But what? Persistence in discernment and prayer is a great tool or sign for me in searching for my vocation finally. I answered God’s call in the Franciscan Capuchin way of life and continued my postulancy program up to the next level of my formation to the novitiate in the Philippines. I arrived in the Philippines on 12th March 2012. This was my first time coming here. It was not easy to leave my family, friends, and country to come here. For me, everything seems different in this foreign country such as food, climate, culture, language, and lifestyle. I was vested with the capuchin habit and did my novitiate there. I did my first profession. After my profession, I did my first post-novitiate program and prepared to be installed as Acolyte and Lector ministries together my four years post-novitiate program and prepared for the final profession. My final profession took place in my home parish in Penang Malaysia. Three days after my final profession, I came back again to the Philippines to continue my studies in philosophical and now theological studies. As a Capuchin friar for more than ten years, I am joyful being in the Capuchin life in simple ways in spite of many difficulties and challenges. To those who are interested in our Capuchin way of life, “It is time to stop looking for something and start looking to someone – Jesus of Nazareth. For more than two thousand years he has been performing miracles in the lives of ordinary men and women. Now he wants to perform miracles in you and through you. Are you ready? Come and see our life!