Fourth KK lass becomes full-fledged FSP

KOTA KINABALU – The Kota Kinabalu Catholic Community witnessed its fourth daughter becoming a full-fledged member of the Daughters of St Paul (FSP) on 20 June 2026 at the Sacred Heart Cathedral here. The other three Daughters are Srs Agnes Wong (1990), Anna Yap (1994) and Shirley Chong (2002).

The ceremony was presided by Archbishop John Wong and concelebrated with five priests: Msgr Nicholas Stephen, Fr Moses Yap ofm (who was also the Master of Ceremony), Fr Michael Modoit, Fr Jeffri Gumu and Fr Wilson Francis.

The Rite of Religious Profession took place after the Gospel proclamation.  It consisted of the following: the Calling or Request, homily, the examination on the candidate’s readiness to take on the final vows, the Litany of the Saints during which the candidate prostrated herself, the profession of the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience, the solemn blessing or consecration of the newly-professed, the signing of the profession document by the newly-professed, the provincial superior Sr Purificacion Barrientos, the two witnesses Sr Lourdes Bagalay and Sr Roseling Siaw.  Then both the provincial superior addressed the newly- professed followed by the presider.  As a sign of definitive acceptance into the religious family, the provincial superior pinned the corsage and welcomed her with a fraternal embrace.  This was followed by the warm embraces from her fellow Daughters of St Paul before the newly-professed went to greet her family members.  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 Aemy was sent to serve in the local Church of Bangkok, Thailand.  The Holy Bible was given to her as a symbol of the Pauline apostolate.  Then Sr Ma.Lourdes Bagalay, provincial councilor, read out the congratulatory message from the Superior General Sr Mari Lucia Kim which also welcomed her into the worldwide missionary institute.

A simple reception was held at the parish hall wherein there were speeches given by the newly-professed (who also sang her thanksgiving song after her speech), the provincial superior, parish priest Msgr Nicholas Stephen and Abp John Wong.  The cake-cutting ceremony was held before lunch was served and a short video of Sr Aemy’s vocational journey was played before the various presentations by different groups including the Pauline Family (Daughters of St Paul, Pauline Cooperators, Institute of Our Lady of the Annunciation).   

Among those present to witness the event were the newly-professed’s family members, relatives, friends, seminarians, representatives of the various religious institutes, and some parishioners.

Born in 1989 in Penampang, Sr Aemy was baptised together with her parents and two sisters during the Easter Vigil of 1999 at the Sacred Heart Cathedral Kota Kinabalu.  She formally entered the congregation of the Daughters of St Paul in 2014 in the Philippines, and made her first profession in 2019 in Lipa Philippines.  She went to Rome in 2025 to prepare for her final profession together with Sr Laurin Kowal who made her final profession on June 13 at St Louis Church Taiping. – Sr Anna Yap fsp