Witnessing the First Profession of religious vow

How do you define beauty?

Some of us might say it’s the pleasing appearance, the physical attraction. Some say beauty comes from within the individual – inner beauty. Some of us recognise the beauty and awesomeness of Nature that is beyond words, which reflects the beauty of the Creator. Our Creator.

Whatever the definition of beauty is, I’ve seen the most beautiful “brides”, and no other brides or ladies in the Beauty Contests could ever replace that simplest yet unforgettable image imprinted in my mind recently.

On 7 March 2011, I was invited by the Sisters of St Francis of Sarawak (SSFS) to attend the First Profession of 3 novices (now junior sisters) in the convent. It was really a privilege for me as only the family members and close friends of the sisters were invited to witness the ceremony. The Mass was presided by our Archbishop John Ha and assisted by 5 other diocesan priests.

The Rite of First Profession began right after the homily. The novices were called forward; the Archbishop blessed the habits which were then handed to the novices and they left to get changed. As they returned, they were smiling from ear to ear! Then they made their profession. As I was watching them, I also felt touched and happy for the sisters, as if I was witnessing my own sister saying “yes” to her bridegroom in a wedding. The whole Rite concluded with the Archbishop blessing the crucifixes and presenting them to the newly professed sisters.

The Superior General handing over the blessed habit to the novice.

After Mass, everyone was invited for a sumptuous dinner at the hall. As I sat there alone enjoying my food (of all those present I only know some of the sisters and they were too busy attending to their guests, and I was also too shy to mix), I stole a few glances at the three newly professed sisters who were sitting with their family. Somehow, the three of them attracted me. They looked so different from the first time I met them when they were in their novice wear (I think they call it "the garb of probation"). The only word I had to describe how they looked at that point of time was "beautiful".

Really, they were simply beautiful. They didn’t put on any make-ups, nor did they have fancy hairstyles and heels and gowns; all they had were simple-looking white habits which also have their hair covered. There was no special adornment on them except for a plain-looking crucifix.

Posing with the three sisters, Sr Margaret, Sr Rose and Sr Mary Magdalene

They were certainly not the most attractive girls I’ve seen. But when they made their vows, at that very moment as they offered themselves body, heart and soul to the Lord, transformation took place. They chose to sacrifice themselves, surrendering everything they possess to embrace a humble lifestyle of “poverty, chastity and obedience,” with total submission to their Bridegroom in response to His call of Sacrificial Love. Through this act of consecration, they were embraced by Love in return; their hearts echoed with joy and peace, which was expressed through their beauty. That radiance I witnessed on their faces was just indescribable, so much so that I was gazing at them in awe! Seeing their beauty, I couldn’t help but praise and thank the Lord for calling them, setting them apart for His divine plan.

Maybe that’s why those who chose religious life are so good looking. If you ever noticed, most of those who are actively (and humbly) involved in the Church always don’t look their age. In the same way, I believe, Christians are called to put God first above all things, embrace Love and allow Love to mould us, making us instruments of His love as we radiate that love in our daily living.

Jesus tells us in the Gospel, "… seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Mt 6:33, NIV). We need not be too self-conscious, to the extent of forgetting our actual identity in Christ. Instead we should put our priority in nurturing our faith and grooming our inner self, for "people look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" (1 Sam 16:7). Eventually, our inner beauty will be reflected in our outward appearance, just like what I've witnessed in the three newly professed sisters.

As we pray for more vocations, let us also pray for ourselves, that we would courageously respond to His call to give ourselves unreservedly in the service of His people.

"Whenever we think of Christ we should recall the love that led Him to bestow on us so many graces and favours, and also the great love God showed in giving us in Christ a pledge of his love; for love calls for love in return." ~ St Teresa of Avila

Flower photo courtesy of Ewa Wiśniewska

Birth control using iPhone?

I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw this Durex advertisement.



And I just couldn’t believe it that the world has gone this far. To promote the use of contraceptives, they portrayed babies as nuisance and unwanted “objects” which can be prevented by simply using contraceptives.

Advertisement like this doesn’t just market a company’s product but at the same time destroys human dignity. Indirectly, it also encourages sex before marriage and probably abortion too. When people no longer regard babies as a precious gift from God, they would never hesitate to go for abortion.

Contraception is "any action which, either in anticipation of the conjugal act [sexual intercourse], or in its accomplishment, or in the development of its natural consequences, proposes, whether as an end or as a means, to render procreation impossible" (Humanae Vitae 14). This includes sterilization, condoms and other barrier methods, spermicides, coitus interruptus (withdrawal method), the Pill, and all other such methods. […]

But looking at the bright side of things, this iPhone application could be a simulation to help newly wed couples experience parenthood and learn parenting skills to get them ready before a baby comes.

So let’s just pray and hope that this application would turn out to be an educational tool instead of what the creator intended it to be.

Update:
On a different note, I had the opportunity to ask an online contact who's an Indian Muslim about Islam's teachings on abortion. To my surprise, he told me that abortion is haram in Islam -- abortion is totally banned as life begins at the time of conception -- therefore abortion is synonymous to murder. This is exactly what the Catholic Church teaches. This account of his was different from what I've heard from other friends previously, that as long as the embryo has not taken (human) shape, abortion can be done.

I'm not sure which is the correct version of the Islam teaching on the subject matter, but still I thank the Lord for the non Christians who are fighting for the rights of the unborn.

Vatican announces beatification of John Paul II

I remember perfectly that I was on Twitter when I saw the tweet that went something like this: "Benedict XVI to beatify John Paul II on 1 May". And... I jumped for joy! (Luckily I was alone in my office, or else people might have thought that I was mad!)

But of course, to make sure that it was not another "prediction" of his beatification / canonization news, I clicked the link to read the full news report.

Indeed, it is true! Pope Benedict XVI approved the miracle -- healing of the nun from Parkinson's disease, and announced the beatification! It's a tripple joy ... John Paul II is also the official patron of World Youth Day Madrid 2011!

My Editor, knowing that I’m a huge fan of John Paul II, gave me the honour to be the first person to share my love for this great pope with Today’s Catholic readers, which will be published and on sale the second weekend of February. It took me almost two weeks to think of what and how to write. But then I think I've been wasting these two weeks because when I finally sat down in front of the computer, I was at a total lost again.

Anyway, I’m giving you the privilege to read my sharing first, unedited. (By the time this reaches the Editor, she would have cut it short already.) I'm not sure how many litres of tears I've shed when I was writing this. Sigh. I really miss him, you know. Sob.

So here's the short sharing:

As far as I remember, I got to know Pope John Paul II through the media. Back then, there was only the television, newspapers and church magazines.

While my parents told me “children should be seen and not heard,” John Paul II called the young people “my dear friends”. His appearances always drew crowds of young people to himself. I saw them cheering when he spoke to them. I saw them in tears of joy when he went around to greet his young audience. He showed great affection and care for the youths. I even read about how he forgave his would-be assassin.

But my first and deepest impression was him kissing a baby so lovingly. It reminded me of the story of Jesus welcoming children told by Luke (Lk 18:15-16). It must have been then that I started to be “in love” with him. Although too young to understand his messages, I learned about who Jesus is through his works and example. His passion for the people he met, especially the youths, the sick and the suffering proved his tremendous love for Christ. After the internet has become a necessity at home, I started to learn more about this Pope and his messages. I simply “clicked” with this Pope and he was a figure I always looked up to.

About seven years ago, I told myself that the World Youth Day would be the first international gathering I would go to meet John Paul II in person once I have a steady income. Unfortunately, that day never came.

On 2 April 2005, I woke up next to my computer at 3 am to check the internet for any updates on John Paul II who was very sick then. Finding none since midnight, I went to bed. The next morning during the Easter Mass, the Parish Priest announced the death of John Paul II. Upon hearing this news I was absent-minded throughout the Mass. When I reached home after Mass, tears started to pour. His last words to those who kept vigil in St Peter’s Square seemed to be also for me: “I have searched for you, and now you have come to me, and I thank you.” It took me more than one year to get over the pain and sorrow of losing him, my teacher and my friend.

Even though I never had the chance to meet him, I finally made it to World Youth Day Sydney 2008. I thanked the Lord for John Paul II and for this life-changing event which he initiated.

The news of his beatification is music to the ears of those who love him. As we count down to John Paul II’s beatification on 1 May, I also patiently but eagerly looking forward to his canonisation.

Dear Pope John Paul II, I will be there in Vatican to witness your canonisation!

P.S I just realised that my command of English has gone down the drain. But thank you for bearing with me! Oh by the way, is anyone planning to go to Pope John Paul II's canonization in the future? Let me know, maybe we could meet and say hello! ;)

Leading by example

I thought I could need a little warm up for my brain before I go into writing a news article for Today's Catholic. I realised that I haven't been writing much these days, thus my rusty brain. Even though that article seems to be rather easy to write (well, at least the Editor thought so), apparently it is not so for me since: 1. it's very last minute; and 2. I'm a person who just cannot cope with last minute work... and the end result has never been satisfactory.

Alright. Putting work aside for now and trying to recall a particular situation which I came across two months ago.

Keeping the long story short... I found out that this person, who holds a high position in one of the local catholic organisations in charge of newsletters production, the person whom I looked up upon highly, did something very selfish. It was an act that is unfair to all those who had contributed to the newsletter that month (these contributors were not aware of it). I was totally disappointed, and I could hardly believe what I've witnessed. Since then the good impression I had towards this person has changed. I'm now more reserved and careful when working with this person.**

A thought struck me: Being a leader in the church is easy; being a good leader after Christ's own heart is not. Jesus mentioned leadership in the Gospel, "... whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all" (Mark 10:43-45). In other words, good leaders are those with humble hearts.

Although I'm currently one of the Core Team members in the Parish Youth Ministry, I don't see myself as a leader. I cannot see myself as a leader because I'm just not qualified! I do not possess the most important quality of a leader -- humility. I would rather have the lowliest position in the ministry... a servant. I like receiving instructions, not giving them.

Ever since Pope John Paul II returned to our Heavenly Father, I've been searching for another [human] leader whom I can follow, but so far, there is no one like Pope John Paul II.

Of course, being a Christian all of us are called to lead by example, no matter who we are. Be it a parish councillor or a worker assigned to keep the toilets and church compound clean and tidy, we ought to spread the Good News to others. And the best way to do it is through example.

Here in Kuching, we sometimes see non-Catholic Christians going door to door to tell people about the Good News. For me personally, I do not quite agree with such a method. What's the use when you do not practise what you preach? Well, unless you're happy with non Christians calling you "hypocrites".

A reminder for myself (and everyone else): At the end of everyday, it is important to look at myself and see if I've ever been rude, inconsiderate, selfish and unreasonable during the day, which not just left bad impressions on both Catholics and non-Catholics alike, but also prevented the Lord to work through me and those people I came in contact with during the day.


**Note: I have no intention of putting the person down. It is for my own personal reflection only.

No longer luke warm

I celebrated my 12th Confirmation Anniversary on 23 August. Well, nothing grand. It shouldn't even be called a "celebration". Not sure what caused my procrastination that day until I missed the Mass which I've planned to attend. I fell asleep that night without bothering to say Thank You to the Lord.

Hmmm... what a celebration, huh?

The next day, something came into my mind that I should read the reflection for 23 August on Holy Spirit Interactive website. I did, and found it quite disturbing. "What differences have I made ever since I became an employee of the Archdiocese of Kuching? What significant impressions have I made especially upon the younger members in our youth group?" I kept pondering on these two questions for a few days, feeling a bit surprised that I had no answer.

Then recently, I had a dream. I was hanging out with some parish youths at a cozy cafe when I received a phone call. Someone who claimed to be the internet service provider asked for my details. Knowing that it was a scam, I was pissed off and spoke very impolitely to the person, ending the conversion with a curse. Putting my phone away, I noticed the youths were staring at me, shocked and couldn't believe that I've just cursed. I woke up instantly. [The dream was so real that I could remember it until today! I usually have dreamless sleep. Even though I do dream sometimes, I don't seem to remember a thing from the dream.]This provoking dream caused me to ponder even more... am I a bad influence to the youths?

This morning, our priest's sermon struck me again. He shared with us that, although he's been a priest for more than 30 years, he found that the journey gets tougher over the years as he tried his best to be a good priest. And so it is being a Catholic, he added. When one is a newly baptised Catholic, everything seems to be easy and smooth-sailing. But as one journeys further, temptations, disappointments, etc. keep coming one's way.

I agree with him. I guess it is so too with the life of a single and a married. Being a single myself, I don't find life getting easier. As I grow older, there are more matters to consider, more people to entertain and care for, more things in my to-do-list, more responsibility on my shoulders; and many a times I tend to put myself first on the Priority List while leaving God aside.

Now back to the earlier questions.

For the past nine months I've been comfortably hiding in my comfort zone, doing what I love doing (working with computers and media). Perhaps it's way too comfortable that I started to procrastinate and become lazy. Okay, my resignation from a high paying job to be a full time employee of the Archdiocese with a much lower pay may have earned myself some admiration and respect from friends and youths. But is that all I'm searching for in life? WHAT do I actually want to achieve in life? What kind of impressions do I want others to have on me?

Nine months... it's time to be "born again". It's time to pick up the things that I've planned to do but left off nine months ago. It's time to "pin" God permanently on the top of the list.

Thank you, Lord, for that little nudge you gave me. I'll give myself another year to evaluate how mature I've grown spiritually and mentally.

This is my prayer for today, sharing it with everyone: