By Sisters of St Francis of Sarawak (SSFS)
KUCHING — In her letter to the Mother General dated 19 November 1961 for admission to the Congregation then known as the Little Sisters of St Francis of Sarawak, young Martina Ubong Mapit stated, “I will try my very best to do whatever you ask of me by the help of God’s grace.” She was the first Kenyah girl from Long San Baram to join the Sarawak Franciscan Sisters and served the Congregation, Church and the people of God passionately for approximately 60 years.
Sr Emily Martina Ubong Mapit’s encoffin on 5 January 2024 at Home of Santa Clara, Funeral Mass at St Joseph’s Cathedral, and Interment at Catholic Cemetery Mile 7.5 Kuching were live-streamed for the benefit of her family and friends, especially in the Baram region.
Kuching Archbishop Simon Poh in his homily, acknowledged the virtues and good works of Sr Emily. He quoted our Heavenly Father’s promise for His faithful servant.
Martina Ubong was filled with immense joy and hope when she entered the Postulate together with her two other companions at Convent of Mary Immaculate, Padungan on 21 January 1962.
Seven months later (22 August 1962), she received the religious habit as well as the new name Sister Emily. She underwent her religious formation at the Novitiate and made her First Profession on 23 August 1964. She was blessed to have started the General Nursing Course at the esteemed Sarawak General Hospital, Kuching on 1 February 1965. She completed and passed her examination on 5 August 1968, obtaining her State Registered Nurse certificate in September 1968. Following this, she did a Midwifery course successfully and graduated in December 1969.
On 10 August 1969, Sr Emily professed her final vows.
On 10 January 1970, five months after her Perpetual Profession, she was appointed to Bau, residing at St Rita’s Convent. St Rita’s Clinic had just been officially declared open and blessed by Fr Louis Schwabl MHM, the then Rector of Bau Catholic Mission. Sr Emily was the pioneer Nurse-in-charge of the Maternity Clinic and Out-patient / Mobile Dispensary for 11 years. Following regular schedules, she also served at Tiang Bekap Penrissen, Tapah and Gerung. She helped out with the relief medical services at Bunan Gega on Mondays during the absence of the other Nursing Sisters.
She was transferred to Bunan Gega from 27 September 1981 to 26 September 1984 (first round) when she committedly carried out her medical mission. From 27 September 1984 to 1 January 1987 (second round), besides serving at Bunan Gega, Sr Emily carried out relief nursing and medical duties in St Marian’s Maternity Home, Serian.
From 2 January 1987 to 30 November 1991 she was the Community animator at St Martha’s Convent, Bunan Gega and at the same time she managed the duties of the Travelling Clinics. She was also involved in faith formation and giving religious instruction to the adults and in schools. In her pastoral outreach she visited the elderly and sick in their homes, often travelling from kampong to kampong on foot. She was instrumental in helping the needy poor children obtain assistance from the Catholic Welfare Services (CWS).
Following her new appointment to Long San, Sr Emily left Bunan Gega and effective 6 December 1991, she took over from the newly-elected SSFS Superior General Sr Flora Tingang as nurse-in-charge of the Clinic. She was very zealous in pastoral outreach visiting the sick and elderly in the longhouses.
She served in Long San until 31 May 1998 (around seven years). From June 1998 to December 2008, Sr Emily returned to Serian where she was the Community Animator at St Joseph’s Convent. She took care of the little ones in the Convent Nursery. Her other ministries included taking care of the residents in the Shelter Home, giving religious instruction in Sunday School and giving Family Planning talks to adults in the kampong.
She was posted to Miri in January 2009 and was there till December 2014. She was the Sister-in-charge of the Convent and from December 2012 to 2014, she was the matron of the Miri Home For the Aged Centre.
She was transferred back to Serian, but her mental health was beginning to decline so she retired partially and was just doing light jobs in the house. From 3 August 2020 to 9 January 2023, she was stationed in Bau Convent where she was taken care of by the Community. Thereafter, she was moved to Home of Santa Clara as she was diagnosed with Advanced Dementia. She was due to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of her Religious Profession in 2024. However, our Divine Master tenderly called her to rest eternally on 2 January, 9.34 am at the Home of Santa Clara.
We pray that the angels and the heavenly host will lead Sr Emily Martina Ubong Mapit into Paradise where HE abides.
