KOTA KINABALU — Thirty-seven-year-old Deacon Nalerin Erone bin Nahfirin was ordained as a Jesuit priest on July 31 at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart by Archbishop John Wong. The ordination took place on the feast day of St Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits.
Concelebrating with Archbishop John were Fr Francis Lim SJ, the Regional Superior of the Malaysia-Singapore Society of Jesus, Jesuit priests from Malaysia and Singapore, and clergy from the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu.
In his homily, Archbishop John reminded the newly ordained priest of his duty to serve Christ as Teacher, Priest, and Shepherd, helping to build and grow the Church into the people of God, a holy temple.
Reflecting on his journey, Fr Nalerin shared, “During the second week of my arrival at the cathedral here, Archbishop John and some priests asked me how I found my vocation. I realised that my vocation not only began in this archdiocese but also flourished here. Indeed, I was born and raised in this parish, and I was baptised here as a baby. Baptism is not merely a past event marking entry into the Christian community; it is a sacrament that continues to confer grace in the present.
“Indeed it has been 12 years since I joined the Jesuits. It’s a long journey but well worth it. As the Jesuits understand, ordination is not the beginning of a journey, nor the end of formation, but a continuous journey with the risen Lord.”
Fr Nalerin expressed gratitude to the Parish Pastoral Council of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Church of Mary Immaculate, and St Paul’s Dontozidon, for their efforts in making the celebration memorable.
Archbishop John, in his thanksgiving speech, emphasised the dual joy for the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu and the Jesuits of the Malaysia-Singapore region, celebrating one of their own committing his life to the Church and the Society of Jesus. The regional superior, Fr Francis at the thanksgiving dinner, expressed hope that Fr Nalerin would use the gift of the priesthood to further the work of the Lord and the Kingdom of God.
On August 1, Fr Nalerin celebrated his first Mass at the Church of Holy Nativity in Terawi.
Born in Kota Kinabalu, Fr Nalerin joined the Society of Jesus on June 22, 2012, and was ordained a deacon on February 4, 2023, in Madrid, Spain. In May of that year, he completed his theology formation at Universidad Pontificia Comillas in Madrid, where he is currently pursuing a licentiate in Sacred Theology (Spirituality).
He will serve at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart for two months before returning to Madrid to continue his studies.
