From left: Sr Melania, Sr Cabrinie and Sr Erna
By Sr Lilian Unsoh
June 7 2022
THREE novices of the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception made their first profession of religious vows, after completing a two-year formation in the Novitiate.
Novice Cabrinie Martin from St Pius Bundu Tuhan, novice Melania Mernah Timun, from St Francis Xavier Keningau, and novice Erna James from St Pius Bundu Tuhan asked to be professed.
With the approval of the Mother General and her Council and after Canonical Examination by KK prelate, Archbishop John Wong, they were professed with the Rite of First Profession May 14 at the Convent of St Mary of the Angels, Novitiate, Purak Papar.
The rite of First Profession includes the calling of the candidate, the examination of the candidate, the profession to live the three evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty and obedience. Before Mother General and in the presence of the Archbishop, they professed to live the vows for a year.
After pronouncing their vows, they changed into the habit of the congregation, signifying their new status as a temporary professed sister in the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception. They are now known as Sr Mary Cabrinie Martin, Sr Mary Melania Mernah Timun, and Sr Mary Erna James.
After putting on the habit, the Archbishop presented them with the rule and Life of the congregation.
The Eucharistic Celebration, with the rite of the First Profession, was presided by the Archbishop, and concelebrated by two other priests from Papar parish and assisted by a deacon.
The celebration was attended by the FSIC Sisters and members of the family of the Sisters who took the first Profession.
In his homily, Archbishop Wong urged the newly professed Sisters to know the difference between doing the work of God and working for God.
He said working for God has the tendency to work for reward. He said we should be doing God’s work just like the early Christians who devoted themselves to two things – “prayer and to the service of God” (Acts 6:4).
He continued, our first vocation is “prayer” – communion with the Father. When we are in communion with the Father, we would know what He wants of us.
The second is “the service of the Word”- the Eucharist, where we receive the Word, and gradually, this Word will be part of us, and becomes the centre of our life. Hence, we are doing the service to the Word.
To the newly professed Sisters, Mother General Sr Frances Mani recalled them to what they have learned about Synodality from the recent Synod Process, and reminded them the importance of good relationship, dialogue, communication and listening to one another.
She also reminded them of the theme they had chosen, “I am with you always, yes to the end of time” Mt 28:20, and assured them that Jesus has promised to be with them all the time.
Mother General thanked the parents for consenting to offer their daughters for God’s work and assured them that they would be blessed abundantly for their generosity.
She then announced the posting for the newly professed Sisters – Sr Cabrinie would be assigned to the Convent of the Immaculate Conception, Toboh Tambunan, while Sr Melania would serve in St Maria Goretti Convent, Binaong Keningau, and Sr Erna posted to St Rose Convent, Kota Marudu.
Mother Frances concluded by asking those present to continue to pray for the newly professed Sisters.
