Upper photo: Family photo of Sr Rose Mary of the Blessed Sacrament when she was young (standing on the left). With her parents sitting on the left and right end. Photos below: (left) Photo taken before entering into Carmelite Monastery. ( Right) Photo taken at her first profession on 13 May 1962.
By Catherine Wan
May 17 2022
KOTA KINABALU – Mother Prioress of the Carmelite Monastery of Our Lady of Mt Carmel and St Therese of Child Jesus, Mother Rose Mary of the Blessed Sacrament, OCD marked her Diamond Jubilee during Mass 13 May 2022.
The Diamond Jubilee Mass was presided by Archbishop John Wong and concelebrated by Fr Mattheus Luta, Fr Cosmas Lee, Fr Gilbert Marcus, Fr Thomas Madanan, assisted by Deacon Sylvester Wong.
The relaxation of SOP on May 1 made it possible for more than 100 people to be present for her joyous and memorable occasion, which included her siblings and relatives, friends and the OCDS (Secular Carmelites) community.
The first and second readings of the Mass were read by her brother and niece, Paul Lee and Jacinta Liew, while the prayers of the faithful by her niece, Bernadette Liew, and the offertory by her niece and grandnieces. The Gospel was proclaimed by Deacon Sylvester Wong.
The prelate in his homily recalled the day (13 May) 60 years ago (1962), a young lady at the age of 23 had made her profession/promise to God who has gifted her with grace to dedicate her whole life to Him and to the service of the Church.
As this religious vocation is a gift of God, explained the prelate, in which the sacrifices made in the long hours of prayers and praise to God and for His people, in the forgetfulness of self and in the use of God‘s given talents in the community are services rendered to God and His people, the Jubilarian has no regrets in a life totally given in the freedom of poverty, chastity and obedience.
The prelate underlined God’s faithfulness to His promises to Mother Rose Mary by looking into her past faith journey beginning with her baptism when she was called by God to be part of His family; at her First Holy Communion when she received the Bread of Life for the first time; at her Confirmation when she received the fullness of the Holy Spirit and made a soldier of Christ or witness.
He also pointed out that the jubilarian has lived her promise to God as she laid down her life to entrust her heart, life, and her future to Christ in religious life. In this way, she becomes ‘another Christ’ who alone knows what it is like to lose one’s life and to find it again. This new life is a rich experience – living life in love and service.
The prelate concluded that the celebration of the event was a celebration of Love and appreciation of the gift of Mother Rose Mary for her dedicated life of service to the Lord.
After the homily, Mother Rose Mary renewed her religious vows and handed the Formula to the celebrant who placed it on the altar.
Intercession for the congregation to live life ‘hid with Christ in God’ more intensely in the service of the Church, and various other intentions for the community, the Church and all mankind were prayed.
A highlight of the celebration was the Carmelite religious leading the congregation to sing the Mass in Latin from the Diamond Jubilee Mass booklet.
Souvenir cards bearing the picture of Child Jesus holding out His Sacred Heart were distributed to everyone before the Mass.
After Mass, chairperson of OCDS, Celestine Jinu on behalf of the jubilarian thanked the prelate and all the priests and deacon for celebrating the Thanksgiving Mass, and invited all present to a breakfast fellowship.
Archbishop Wong also expressed his appreciation to Mother Prioress for her service and prayers for the local church in Sabah.
While the fellowship was going on, the prelate, priests, deacon and the laity took turn to congratulate the jubilarian in person at the parlour.
