At Mass on St John of the Cross Feast, Dec 14 2020, presided by Archbishop John Wong, concelebrated by Fr Mattheus Luta, Fr Cosmas Lee and Fr David Sham. The altar was specially decorated with roses print altar cloth from Spain which was hand-painted by Mother Consuelo herself, former Mother Prioress for the Carmelite Sisters.
By Catherine Wan
Dec 17 2020
KOTA KINABALU – Not even the pandemic could hinder the Carmelite community from celebrating their triple joys on the occasion of the Feast of St John of the Cross Dec 14.
Joining Archbishop John Wong, who presided the Mass, were Carmelite chaplain Fr Mattheus Luta, Fr Cosmas Lee, Fr David Sham and 30 other members of the Carmelite community.
The triple joys of celebration comprised the Feast day of St John of the Cross, who is the Father of the Discalced Carmelite Order, the 90th Anniversary of the Foundation of the Monastery of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St Therese of the Child Jesus (1930-2020) and the 60th anniversary of the missionary service of Mother Consuelo of Jesus, OCD.
The prelate confessed his unworthiness to give any testimony of the three events as they were before his time.
Nevertheless, speaking directly to Mother Consuelo from the prophet Isaiah, he affirmed her of her religious vocation “I have chosen you to go…” and “Do not be afraid, for I will be with you all the days of your life…”.
Mother Consuelo left Spain at the age of 32 on 19 March 1960 and arrived in Kota Kinabalu (then Jesselton) to join the KK Carmelite Monastery on 12 April 1960. She has served as Mother Prioress for the Carmelite Community for more than 20 years until 2014. At 93, Mother Consuelo is still keeping strong in body, mind and spirit.
Archbishop Wong added, like St John of the Cross in his profound experience of the darkness of the soul, Mother Consuelo sees only the light of Christ inspiring her to serve faithfully the Church of Sabah.
The KK Carmelite Monastery has been serving the Church for 90 years as a witness to God’s faithful Love for us. As the Carmelite community celebrates its 90th Anniversary of the Foundation of the Monastery, they are grateful to God for the gift of past Mothers and Sisters who have journeyed with them, as well as for the gift of new vocations. Currently, they have seven young sisters undergoing their formation.
The ideals of the Carmelite religious are: a) to give glory to God and to save many souls, b) to pray for the holiness of priests, and c) to give young women the opportunity to experience the Spirit of Carmel.
As a way of preparation for the feast day, the community prayed the Novena to St John of the Cross.
After Mass, the OCDS president Celestine Jinu invited all to join the breakfast fellowship outside the chapel. The anniversary cake was cut by the prelate on behalf of the Carmelite community.
