KK religious celebrate WDCL at Potuki

PENAMPANG – Kota Kinabalu Archdiocese celebrated World Day for Consecrated Life (WDCL)  quietly on 2 Feb 2017, Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, at the Woori Jib St Francis Xavier Home run by the Korean Clerical Society of the Most Holy Trinity of Mirinae (SST) at Kg Potuki here.

The annual observance, organised by the Council of Religious headed by Pauline Sister Christine Henry Sundin, took place at the covered open hall.

Archbishop John Wong presided over the Mass which was concelebrated with Father Wilfred Atin, Father Thomas Madanan, and the three Korean priests Father Leo Choi, Father Lawrence Kim and Father Andrew Kim.

Around 200  faithful turned up for the celebration including around 60 men and women religious, members of secular orders, seminarians and lay people.

In his homily, and later in his impromptu address to the religious after Mass, the prelate (citing Pope Francis) touched on the event as an encounter with the Lord, which he hoped they had prepared themselves well through the preceding triduum of prayer at the Carmelite Chapel Karamunsing.  He also assured them of his prayers.

He then reminded them that this event is an outflow of the liturgical celebration – Presentation of the Lord – the faithfulness of the Lord in coming to meet his people in the temple.  He remarked that he was happy to see familiar faces, several of whom have celebrated their silver, ruby, golden or even diamond anniversaries of religious professions.

The renewal of consecration by the religious present took place after the homily.  The prelate accepted it and gave his blessing.

In her address, Sr Christine touched a bit on the WDCL history and thanked all those present for their participation, the Korean community in particular, for hosting the event.

After the Mass, all the people adjourned for a simple reception at the dining hall and on the outside grounds.

In the archdiocese, there are currently four men religious institutes (La Salle Brothers, Gabrielite Brothers, Marist Brothers. Holy Trinity Clerical Society) and four women congregations (Carmelite Nuns, Daughters of St Paul, Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, and the Religious of the Good Shepherd).  The three secular institutes are the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites, Ordo Francisanus Saecularis, and Institute of Our Lady of the Annunciation.