“No! It can’t be real!” This was the response of many in St Francis’ time when they discovered that he carried the five wounds of the Crucified Christ after his retreat on Mt Alvernia in the autumn of 1224. But it was real. In fact, nine papal bulls (official communications by the Pope) were written to defend and support this miracle.
How did the Stigmata of St Francis come to pass?
Pope Honorius III formally approved the Rule of the Franciscan Order on 29 November 1223. However, the papal approval did not quash the protests from the brothers against the strictness of Francis’ Form of Life (forma vitae).
Pained by this, Francis felt a compelling need to go to a space of healing so he went up on Mt Alvernia from the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (15 August) until the Feast of St Michael (29 September). Francis had a special devotion to these saints, and wanted their intercession for this difficult struggle.
Between these feasts was the Feast of the Exultation of the Holy Cross (14 September), and Francis was already deeply touched by the Cross in San Damiano when Jesus on this cross called out to him: “Francis, go rebuild my Church, which you see is falling into ruins”.
When Francis was meditating on the Holy Cross during his retreat, he received a glorious vision of the Crucified One in the form of a burning Seraph. This is an angel from the highest choir of angels whose only role is to love and adore God, hence it is burning with love (seraph in Hebrew means “the burning one”).
Mysteriously, in this further wounding, Francis was greatly consoled and found inner peace. It was as if God had given him a bodily answer to the deep question of his heart – “Who are you, O God and who am I?”. The wounds of Christ crucified were now real on his flesh, and this was his desire fulfilled … to become one with his beloved. We become what we love. And as his beloved Christ was brought to new life in the Resurrection, so Francis experienced new life by the grace of consolation and deep peace.
The Franciscan Family entitled the Centenary celebrations “From Wounds to New Life” with the invitation for all of us to follow in Francis’ footsteps, to make real Francis’ experience in our own flesh.
We each have our own journeys with our personal gifts and wounds. The beauty of our journey into God is to keep inflaming our gifts to rebuild God’s Church and, by conforming ourselves to the Crucified Christ, allow God to transform our wounds and pains into new life.
As Francis said before returning home to the Lord, “The Lord has shown me what is mine to do, may He show you yours.”
KOTA PADAWAN — The St Ann’s Church community was filled with joy as they welcomed their new priest, Friar Nelson Evarinus Sipalan, OFM on 18 August 2024. His arrival marked the beginning of a new chapter in the parish’s spiritual journey, bringing with it fresh energy, dedication, and a deep commitment to serving the people.
Parishioners of St Ann’s Church gathered with great enthusiasm to extend a heartfelt welcome to Friar Nelson. The Church, adorned with vibrant decorations and filled with the harmonious sounds of the choir, reflected the community’s excitement.
Friar Nelson Evarinus Sipalan, a member of the Order of Friars Minor (OFM), has with him a strong foundation in Franciscan spirituality. Born and raised in Membakut, Sabah, Friar Nelson felt a calling to the priesthood at a young age. After years of study, prayer, and service, he was ordained as a priest, dedicating his life to serving the Church and its faithful.
During the dinner, PPC Chairman Judas Anak Ligon took the opportunity to speak, offering words of welcome and encouragement to Friar Nelson. He expressed his excitement about the new chapter in the parish’s life and their eagerness to work closely with him in the coming years.
Friar Nelson, visibly moved by the warm reception, addressed the gathering, expressing his deep appreciation for the warm welcome and the effort that had gone into organising the dinner.
“I am incredibly touched by the love and support I have received since I was in Sabah, up until my arrival here,” Friar Nelson said.
“This evening is a beautiful reminder of the strength of our community, and I am excited to begin this journey with all of you. Together, we can build a parish that is not only strong in faith but also in our love and care for one another.”
The evening continued with lively conversations, laughter, and a sense of camaraderie that underscored the strong bonds within the parish community. The dinner served as a perfect start to Friar Nelson’s celebration of Mass at St Ann’s, setting the tone for a collaborative and spiritually enriching journey ahead.
As the event drew to a close, parishioners left with full hearts, excited for the future and grateful for the opportunity to come together to celebrate their new priest. The welcome dinner was not just a meal but a powerful expression of the community’s commitment to supporting Friar Nelson and each other in their shared faith journey. It is the beginning of another wonderful chapter for everyone at St Ann’s, Kota Padawan. May God bless us all!
KOTA PADAWAN, Kuching: Ministri Pelayan Komuni Bukan Lazim paroki St Ann Kota Padawan telah mengadakan Rekoleksi Pelayan Komuni Bukan Lazim (PKBL) 2024 di Gereja St Michael, Teng Bukap pada Ogos 3 lalu.
Sesi kali ini bertemakan, “Peranan Pelayan Komuni Bukan Lazim Sebagai Gembala Yang Baik Dan Benar”.
Program ini dimulakan pada pukul 8.00 pagi dengan Misa Kudus. Diikuti dua perkongsian dan taklimat berkaitan tema PKBL 2024.
Perkongsian bagi sesi pertama disampaikan oleh Katekis Joseph Juni manakala perkongsian kedua disampaikan oleh Friar Don Don Romero Ramerez, OFM.
Pada akhir program, sebuah siborium sumbangan PKBL paroki St Ann Kota Padawan telah diserahkan secara rasmi kepada Friar Don Don selaku Rektor Gereja St Ann Kota Padawan.
Program yang dihadiri seramai 95 PKBL ini tamat pukul 12.30 tengah hari.
Ia akan dilanjutkan lagi pada masa akan datang sebagai satu program tahunan PKBL Paroki St Ann Kota Padawan.
MEMBAKUT – “Mungkin inilah sebab hujan lebat selepas 44 tahun baru hari ini ada tahbisan paderi dari ini paroki”, ujar paderi paroki St Patrick Membakut, Fr Boniface Kimsin membuatkan para umat gelak ketawa.
Paroki St Patrick Membakut telah melahirkan seorang paderi yang ketiga sekaligus melakar sejarah selepas 44 tahun. Namun, pada tahun ini, 2024, paroki St Patrick tepat pukul 4.00 petang, 11 Ogos sempena pesta Santa Clara dari Assisi, Misa Kudus Pentahbisan imamat, Friar William Nelson Evarinus Sipalan, OFM anak watan dari Kg Sinoko, Membakut dengan suara penuh sukacita telah mengatakan “YA” dalam menyahut panggilan imamat.
Kemeriahan perjalanan Misa Kudus di dahului oleh paluan kulintangan irama muzik tradisional diiringi tarian oleh beliawan beliawanis lengkap dengan pakaian tradisi. Kehadiran beberapa friar dari Malaysia-Singapore adalah semangat cinta persaudaraan Order Franciscan Minor.
Fr Nalerin Erone dari Serikat Yesus yang juga baru ditahbis pada 31 July turut hadir bersama beberapa rakannya, Fr Andrew Kim (Most Holy Trinity Mirinae, South Korea) dan para paderi keuskupan memancarkan semarak jiwa dalam panggilan imamat.
“Saya harap saya tidak dipanggil untuk bagi ucapan, sebab hujan tapi kena panggil juga”, ujar Uskup Cornelius Piong menggemakan suasana sukacita para umat.
“Kenapa selepas 44tahun? Saya berharap ibu bapa mendoakan panggilan anak-anak kamu untuk menyahut panggilan sebagai imamat, doakanlah anak-anak kamu”, kata Uskup Cornelius dengan penuh harapan.
Kehadiran umat dari Kota Padawan Kuching Sarawak yang memakai pakaian tradisi orang Ulu dan Bidayuh menwujudkan solidariti tanpa mengira jarak dan waktu.
Kesungguhan persiapan acara ini dilaksanakan oleh saudara Adrian @ Thirteen Sodoi merangkap pengerusi MPP dan kerjasama seluruh umat paroki St Patrick.
Suasana hujan tidak menghalang aturcara pentas untuk dilanjutkan, persembahan pentas tetap menarik perhatian umat sebagai sokongan dan kesyukuran.
