First Taiping lass becomes full-fledged FSP

TAIPING, Perak – The Taiping Catholic Community witnessed one of its daughters becoming a full-fledged member of the Daughters of St Paul (FSP) on 13 June 2026 at the Church of St Louis here.  It was an historic occasion as Sr Laurin Nantini Kowal took her final vows in her home parish.  The ceremony was presided by Cardinal Sebastian Francis and concelebrated with parish priest Msgr Stephen Liew and five other priests.  Deacon Rocky Loo proclaimed the Gospel. 

The Rite of Religious Profession took place after the Gospel proclamation.  Sr Lourdes Bagalay, Provincial Councillor, called the candidate by name.  The presider then asked the candidate what she wanted of God and of his Church.  After her response, the presider preached the homily based on the points taken from the introduction of the souvenir booklet and exhorted the candidate to be ready for what will happen in the journey ahead.  He then examined the candidate on her readiness to take the perpetual vows.  The Litany of the Saints followed during which the candidate prostrated herself.  After the Litany, Sr Lourdes Bagalay and Sr Elizabeth Jothee stood near the Provincial Superior Sr Purificacion Barrientos to act as witnesses while Sr Laurin read out the formula of profession she had written out beforehand.  The cardinal then prayed the solemn blessing over the neo-professed followed by the signing of the document and the address of the provincial superior who accepted the vows.  The neo-professed then went over to the provincial superior for her fraternal embrace.  This is the sign of definitive acceptance into the religious family. The Liturgy of the Eucharist followed.

The mandate (assignment of the neo-professed) was issued by the provincial superior after the post-Communion prayer.  This was the most awaited part of the ceremony: Sr Laurin was sent to serve in the local Church of Tacloban in central Visayas, Philippines.  The Holy Bible was given to her as a symbol of the Pauline apostolate.  The event ended with a simple reception at the parish hall after the speeches by the neo-professed and the provincial superior.

Among those present to witness the event were the neo-professed’s family members, relatives, friends, fellow Daughters of St. Paul, the Pauline Cooperators, Christopher and Connie Cheah of the Institute of the Holy Family.

Born in 1991 in Taiping, Sr Laurin joined the Daughters of St Paul in 2013 in the Philippines.  She made her first profession in 2019 in Lipa, Philippines.  She is the first vocation from Taiping but the second one from Perak.  The first vocation from Perak is Sr Elizabeth Jothee of Silibin who joined the congregation in 1995, made her first profession in 2000 and took her final vows in 2006. – Sr Anna Yap fsp