Pauline Cooperators close centenary celebration with renewal of pledge

KOTA KINABALU – Eleven members of the Association of Pauline Cooperators closed their centenary celebration with a renewal of their pledge at the chapel of the Sacred Heart Cathedral here on 2 July 2018.

The renewal of the pledge took place after Communion preceded by the recitation of the centenary prayer of the Pauline Cooperators by everyone.

In his homily, Archbishop John Wong said he had often been inspired by St Paul’s zeal after his conversion – a “180-degree turn, not 360-degree” – when he was a seminarian and challenged those gathered to live out the call to holiness in today’s world (Pope Francis’ Gaudete et Laetitia).

Around 80 people joined the Pauline Family – Daughters of St Paul, Institute of Our Lady of the Annunciation, Association of Pauline Cooperators – at the closing centenary Mass followed by a fellowship meal at the parish canteen.

Joining Abp Wong at the altar was Msgr Nicholas Ong of Sandakan Diocese.

The lay association was founded by Blessed James Alberione in Italy on 30 June 1917.  It spread its wings to Sabah in 1992.  Four members and three collaborators attended the international congress held in Rome in May 2018, the culmination of the yearlong (2017-2018) commemoration of the centenary.