By Catholic Sabah
KEPAYAN – The air was filled with a different vibe as the singing of Gloria in Latin echoed in St Thomas More Church, Kepayan during the Eucharistic celebration of the Final Profession of Sr Maria Sukacita Para Martir Bildram, from the Congregation of The Institute Servants of the Lord and The Virgin of Matara (SSVM), Apr 25. The angelic voice of the sisters brought back the air of the old Latin Mass, mirroring the richness in the Catholic tradition.
The Institute Servant of the Lord and the Virgin of Matara is a congregation founded by Fr Carlos Miguel Buela in 1988 at Argentina. The sisters also known by its Spanish name ‘ Servidoras’ professed four canonical vows namely chastity, poverty, obedience and Marian slavery and currently serving in 42 countries. Their coming to Sabah was to witness one of their members to publicly profess the final vow.
The solemn final profession Mass was presided by Archbishop John Wong as the local ordinary, accepting the vows professed by Sr Maria Sukacita Para Martir, on behalf of the Catholic Church. Also in attendance was Sr Mary Mater Compassionis Schmitz, Regional Superior who is currently residing at the Philippines.
Sr Maria Sukacita is the second nun from Sabah joining the SSVM sisters. The other is Sr Mary Joy of the Cross, who was originally from Tenom. Currently, there are six sisters from Malaysia in the SSVM congregation.
