Uploaded by Edson Paguntalan in Mill Hill Missionaries
This article was originally published in Suara Magazine Malaysia, Issue 11, by Fr Albert Jacobse, MHM.
After my ordination to the Priesthood on Jul 12, 1964, my 26 classmates and I were asked to gather at the foot of the imposing spiralling staircase at Mill Hill. It was there that our appointments for the various mission fields were read out. This official sending out was a significant spiritual and emotional experience, and I later realized that it was going to change my whole life as a human being and as a priest.
Who could have known that I would end up in Sarawak…
…spending most of my time in the interior with the people whom I came to love dearly over the years? Surely, God must have had a hand in all this; otherwise, there is no explanation. I have always been someone who loves to travel, explore, and come into contact with others. I didn’t mind roughing it, and here I was, blessed with the opportunity to help people who were very much removed from the so-called sophisticated world. As a missionary and priest, I could not have wished for more or better.
To try to be a beginning for others, to be a singer to the songless, a storyteller to the aimless and a befriender to the friendless. That is what I wanted to be. In other words, I wanted to bring the love of God closer to people who didn’t know Him yet. I soon realized that God was already in the hearts of these people long before the first missionaries arrived to serve them. They just didn’t know that God is loving and compassionate. In that sense, they were living in darkness, relying on various charms and spirits to guide them through life, often feeling afraid and anxious. Being able to help lift that fear from their hearts and give them hope and joy was an indescribable experience. It was by the grace of God that I could lend a helping hand in this.
After serving 35 years in the interior
I requested a transfer due to my advancing age and the physical challenges of the work. I found it difficult to continue doing the physical labour required, such as pulling boats over rapids. My request was granted in an unexpected way when I was appointed by Mill Hill to the diocese of Kuching, under the then Archbishop His Grace Bishop Peter Chung. I was warmly welcomed and appointed as an assistant at St Joseph’s Cathedral.
All the aspects of a comfortable life were there for the taking. 24-hour electricity, air conditioning, a good TV set, a lady to keep your room clean and do your laundry, the daily newspaper. So many things that I now take for granted were coming my way. For a period of 12 years, I was stationed in St. Joseph’s, and though during the first two months, I found it difficult to adjust myself to the situation, I soon got used to it all and have had a great time, mainly due to the friendly and warm welcome I got from all the parishioners. Absolutely great and it was with a big gratitude to all of them when I was told to move to the retirement home and leave my place in the Cathedral.
I felt as if I had fallen into a vacuum, with no parish and no parishioners anymore; what to do??? Just hanging around? I felt like I was not created for that. I was searching for ways to turn a bad situation into something more positive and useful. So, I took on the pastoral task of looking after the spirituality of pilgrims. Being with people makes my blood flow a bit faster, and I try to lend a helping hand wherever necessary, making life a bit more joyful for those who are down and out. Over a period of 13 years, I have been doing that with great satisfaction.
Being with pilgrims is not a one-way street.
Personally, I have learned a lot from being around pilgrims. They all have their own stories to tell, and I hope I can share my story with them so we can all become a little wiser and more patient with each other’s mannerisms and behaviours.
It’s heart-warming to witness a group of strangers bonding and becoming a close-knit family after traveling together for two weeks. As the time comes to bid farewell, it’s touching to see some tears shed.
I truly hope that my contribution, including this brief write-up, as well as my entire life, will help many of us recognize that being a missionary is our holy vocation, graced upon us by God. I believe that we all could bring peace, joy, and love to those around us.
In a short while, I will be celebrating 60 years in the priesthood. I can honestly say that I have been and still am enjoying my vocation. Thanks to the Good Lord and to all of you who have helped me in various ways to become who I am today.
May God bless you and protect you and keep you and your families in good health.
Praise the Lord! – Mill Hill Missionaries
