After a long drought of 37 years the Church of Our Mother of Perpetual Help in Ipoh, Malaysia, witnessed the First Profession of two young novices to our Congregation. Brother Nicholas Narin Martin and Brother Hilary Handrie Lim from the Vice-Province of Ipoh, took their first religious vows on 14 July 2024 in the presence of Fr Victorino A. Cueto C.SS.R., the Vice-Provincial Superior of Malaysia and Singapore, who presided over the Mass.
There were confreres Fr Brian L. Espejo (Rector, St Clement Mission Seminary in the Philippines), Fr Terence Wee, Fr Joseph Stevens, Fr Patrick Massang, Fr Phillip Lai, Fr Paul Kee, Fr Gerard Louis, Fr Glenn D’Cruz, Alvin Rex, and a few other brothers and novices were present in this solemn and joyous occasion.
Since it happened during the ordinary Sunday Morning Mass, the faithful had the opportunity to witness the First Profession and prayed for the novices, something not many Catholics have the chance to be part of. Brothers Nicholas and Handrie were presented to the Holy Mother Church by their parents and were received and welcomed into the Redemptorist Community by Fr Ino.
Fr Patrick and Fr Gerard Louis assisted the two brothers in vesting the Redemptorists habit, after which they made their solemn vows binding them into the service of the Lord and the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer. As per tradition, the Kiss of Peace was a warm sharing of brotherly love, camaraderie and welcome as their admittance and acceptance into the Congregation was sealed.
Earlier, Fr Phillip Lai, who read the Gospel, delivered a fitting and meaningful homily as he spoke of how God chooses ordinary people to do His work, equipping and blessing them with extraordinary powers to fulfil the mission to which they are called. “One essential asset we (the priests) have is the authority to preach repentance, cast out demons, and heal the sick and each other within the community,” he said.
The Redemptorists Community hosted breakfast for the faithful who were in attendance, during which they had the opportunity to meet, greet and get to know the two new novices.
It was truly a blessed day for the Congregation and the Church of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, which can now look forward to welcoming two new Redemptorist priests when they will be ordained in 5 years of time.
Elaine Jeyakumar-Wong
Photos by: James Gough
