The Minister General arrived on the evening of 20th July, Monday from Hong Kong with Xavier Yu, Definitor General for Asia and Jos¶ Cabarllo, Definitor General and Gen. Secretary for Formation and Studies. The visit also coincided with the meeting of the provincials of the Conference of South Asia, Australia and Oceania. The theme of the Conference meeting was on Formation and the delegates also present from the entities were the respective Secretaries of Formation and Studies. The next day began with morning prayer and a combined session between the Minister General and the Conference participants. During the second meeting between the Minister General and provincials, Br Giacomo spoke about his visit to China in great detail and gave the group a very lively account of his successful visit. He further stressed on the priorities which the general administration has undertaken for the six years of their term. These meetings took up the whole morning and afternoon of the first full day of his visit. An evening Eucharist was celebrated by Bro Giacomo for the participants of the Conference meeting which was followed by dinner in which the other members of the Custody of Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei were present and had an evening of social and relaxation. Wednesday morning, 22nd July was spent taking in the sights of Singapore and a visit to the Jurong Bird Park which has one of the biggest collection of birds from around the world. It has two walk-in aviaries which allow the visitors to view the birds at close range and yet allow the birds to live in as natural an environment as possible. The afternoon of Wednesday was put aside for a visit to St Anthony Friary where Bro Giacomo met up with the members of the Custody in an informal gathering. The meeting began with prayers prepared by the friars of the community and followed by the sharing of the Minister General.He spoke to the brothers on the need for a solid prayer life and one which will sustain them in the trials and crises of their vocation. He also spoke of the hopes and difficulties he encountered in his travels around the world and the hope for greater solidarity and cooperation among the international fraternity. Much more was discussed informally over 'high tea' which was prepared by the community which followed this meeting. The Minister General and his 'entourage' then left for Thailand on Thursday morning. Friar John-Paul Tan OFM Singapore 679330