OCD candidate makes Temporary Profession despite MCO

KOTA KINABALU (CS) – Despite the partial MCO-5, the Rite of Temporary Profession was conducted by Carmelite Chaplain Fr Mattheus Luta for Sr Mary Sylvia of Divine Mercy, who entered the cloistered monastery on 1 June 2018, at the Carmel Monastery May 11.

Sr Sylvia responded with great joy to the enquiry by the celebrant, and requested for the Merciful Love of God, the poverty of the Order and the companionship of the Discalced Carmelite Order.

Fr Luta encouraged the candidate to “love till it hurts in community life as Jesus has loved us till death”. He also exhorted the community to love courageously as Christ loves.

The newly professed received a copy of the Rule and Constitutions of the Order after making her Temporary Vows of obedience, chastity and poverty before the Prioress. 

The rite of Simple Profession concluded with General Intercessions, in which the love of prayer, spirit of penance and zeal of apostolate were prayed for the newly professed.

Sr Sylvia, 42, who hailed from Kota Marudu, is the second child of a brood of 10. She delayed her response to the religious vocation until her younger siblings could be independent.  Her elder sister, Sr Mary Shirley has entered the same monastery earlier in 2000. At present, there are 21 OCD (Discalced Carmelites) sisters in the cloistered community with two postulants and five simple professed. – Catherine Wan