By Fr Nicholas Hoh, OCD
SELANGOR – In 2025, the Holy See has designated a number of Jubilee days to recognise and celebrate different groups of people and various ministries in the Church.
On Oct 4, around 40 persons representing the various religious congregations serving in the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur, came together for a jubilee celebration for consecrated life. As stated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) 915-930, consecrated life is the permanent state of life in which a person deepens their baptismal consecration through the profession of the three evangelical counsels: poverty, chastity and obedience.
The jubilee was held at the Church of St Francis of Assisi, coinciding with the parish feast day triduum. It was also in recognition of St Francis of Assisi, one of the most important figures that continues to inspire consecrated life in Malaysia and throughout the world. Celebrated in the context of the year-long Jubilee of Hope, the goal of this jubilee was to remind and challenge religious to be bearers of hope in their lives, communities, and ministries.
The jubilee celebrations began with a talk by Fr Richard Anthonysamy SJ, titled Treasure in earthen vessels, which juxtaposed the vulnerability and fragility of each person called to consecrated life, with the treasure entrusted to each religious by Jesus Christ, namely the Gospel. Fr Richard shared that while each religious must face many struggles and challenges in his vocation, these situations can be treated as opportunities where God continues to mould and transform each religious so that they increasingly reflect the face of Christ in the world. After the talk, the religious were asked to reflect on how they can continue to look at present challenges with hope, and themselves be bearers of hope to those they encounter.
The jubilee celebrations continued in the evening with the Eucharistic celebration presided over by Fr David Reegon OFM, Cap, who began his homily by stating that everyone seeks joy but often do not find it. This was a question that was also addressed to St Francis, who found joy not in material riches and fame, but in a life that was surrendered totally to the Lord. St Francis represents the ideal for each person called to consecrated life, who bears witness to the spirit of renunciation and poverty of the Beatitudes. Fr David concluded by quoting St Augustine: “our hearts are restless until they rest in you, O Lord”, as a reminder to religious that joy comes through a life lived in union with God and in giving one’s life in service of the Lord.
After Mass, the religious and parishioners were treated to a thanksgiving dinner, celebrating the Silver Jubilee of three religious, namely Fr David, Sr Elizabeth Jothee FSP and Sr Theresa Petrus FSIC. In their thanksgiving speeches, the three jubilarians expressed gratitude to the good foundation in the faith they had received from their families. They also acknowledged the many wonderful people they had encountered along their vocation journey, who continue to challenge and inspire them towards a deeper commitment of their religious consecration. Finally, the jubilarians also acknowledged the gift of God’s grace in sustaining them throughout the past 25 years of their religious consecration. – Herald Malaysia
