By Consecrated Religious Committee
KUCHING — The Religious and Lay Carmelites of the Archdiocese of Kuching gathered at the Carmelite Chapel on 1 February 2025 to celebrate the 29th World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life. The actual day should be on 2 February but was moved to 1 February in order to allow more participation from the groups who are involved with Sunday ministry.
The theme for this year’s celebration was, “Pilgrims of Hope on the Way of Peace”. Fr Andre Delimarta, SDB coordinated the sharing session by members from the different congregations. He posted three guiding questions for the participants to reflect. The following were the appointed representatives from the various congregations/orders to share their responses to the provided questions.
Br Engel Java, FMS shared on how their respective congregations/orders carried out their mission in the light of Pilgrims of Hope according to their charism.
Sr Catherine Uming, SSFS, Fr Andre Delimarta, SDB and Fr Pratap, CMF highlighted how their congregations/orders walked alongside the people and experienced poverty in the light of Pilgrims of Hope, collectively or individually.
Finally, Fr Joseph Lee, OFM shared how his local community carried out various actions in protecting the earth. The participants had a silent moment to reflect on all the insightful sharing that they had just heard.
The celebration continued with adoration before the Holy Mass presided by Archbishop Simon Poh.
In his homily, Archbishop reminded the participants that it is important to put their faith and trust in God, citing the example of Abraham. He encouraged the consecrated people to be the real Pilgrims of Hope during this Jubilee year in the Universal Church.
After the Mass, participants were treated to a potluck lunch prepared by the OCDS and the SSFS. It was a meaningful celebration for the consecrated persons in the Archdiocese of Kuching.
