By Beatlvina Bianus
KENINGAU — The Poor Clare sisters are adding two more people to their community while their monastery is still being built. On July 26, Christillah Lazarus from Kg Penampang Baru, Ulu Kimanis, Papar, was admitted as an aspirant, and Sr Mary Epiphania of Misericordea, OSC, from Kg Rancangan Belia, Sook, made her first vow.
The Order of St Clare Sisters was formally accepted into the Diocese of Keningau on Sep 12, 2019, and it progressively expanded thanks to vocations from the local church.
The Rite of Profession and Acceptance was officiated by Bishop Cornelius Piong during the Eucharistic celebration at Tatal Retret House. He was assisted by Friar Cosmas Francis, OFM, and witnessed by family members, relatives, and the local Catholic community.
The seed of vocation to the religious life in Sr Mary Epiphania of Misericordea, OSC, started to take root owing of the early visit of the then Fr Cornelius Piong to her family home. As a young girl, she nurtured her vocation by actively participating in church youth activities including choir and carolling. Sr Mary acknowledged that her desire to serve God and the Church was sparked by the priest’s visit. In 2021, she began her formation with the Poor Clare sisters.
Bishop Cornelius Piong pointed out in his homily that the seed of a vocation begins with guidance by parents to their children, educating the children of what they hear and see, especially in the current digital age. In conjunction with the feast day of St Joachim and St Anna, the prelate underlined that above all, parents must guide their children to love and embrace God in their lives. “Let us pray together for Sr Mary Epiphania of Misericordea, OSC, to remain strong in answering her call and to make her perpetual vow in the next three or four years.”
