A pilgrimage day 朝圣的一天

St.Michael's Choir 圣米高歌咏团

On Sunday, The Solemnity of the Holy Trinity, we celebrated Mass at St. Michael Church. The Choir dressed in their most regal and sang many Latin hymns that making the Mass solemn and joyful.

After lunch at a restaurant, we began our day of pilgrimage of churches.

First destination is the St. Joseph's Church in Batu Gajah which was established more than 130 years ago. Fr. Robin, the parish priest, welcomed the visitors with a briefing on the history of the church and a tea reception later.

Our Lady of Lourdes in Silibin was our next destination. We performed the 3 steps mini pilgrimage at the grotto. Fr. Bernard Paul expressed warm welcome to all the visitors and wished them a blessed mini pilgrimage.

The last destination was the Church of Perpetual Succour in Ipoh Garden. Besides a warm welcome by the Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Philip Lai, the Chinese Choir also presented their beautiful singing which received loud applause from the visitors. （more pic in Facebook)

Pilgrimage at OLL church 露德圣母堂朝圣

星期天是天主圣三日，我们在圣米高堂欢庆这个节日。该堂的歌咏团，穿上他们隆重的制服，用拉丁调唱出多少弥撒歌曲，使到这庆典更隆重欢悦。

午餐过后，我们的华都亚也圣若瑟教堂拜访，受到该堂罗宾神父及教友领袖的欢迎，并设茶点招待。

下一站是到斯里宾的路德圣母堂朝圣。本堂主任巴纳保罗神父在欢迎军友时，也祝福大家有一个美满的小朝圣。

我们参加了在圣母庭的三步骤小朝圣 - 祈祷准备，触摸圣庭石，象征坚强的新的，然后洗涤身体。

当天最后的一站是拜访怡保花园的永援圣母堂。我们也是受到该堂主任赖神父的亲身欢迎。该堂的华语歌咏团还特别为我们献唱多首悦耳的歌曲，舒愉拜访者。(更多照片在Facebook)

Fr.Lai welcomed visitors 赖神父欢迎访客Watch the Choir singing @Youtube 看录影

Feeding an army 养精蓄锐

Spiritual food 精神食粮

Physical food 肉体食粮

The organiser served the best Ipoh food and specialty to the participating legionaries. For today's lunch, they served famous Ipoh chicken and pomelo.

Feeding an army of almost 400 is not an easy task. Well fed army ready for battle.

Today's programme including talks by Rev. Fr. Simon Yi and Rev. Sr. Theresa Chew.












主办当局尽量推出怡保出名的美食给到会的军友。今天的午餐，就有怡保著名的白斩鸡及梅菜扣肉，加上打门柚子。

为整四百人的大队提供食物，的确不是件容易的事。供给充足，打仗才有力量。

今天的交流会节目有讲座，有余金忠神父及周丽娜修女负责。

18th Legion Fellowship 第18 届圣母军交流会

第18届马新汶台圣母军交流会开始了！四百位来自26个单位的圣母军团员，出席了这项年度28/5/2010 - 1/6/2010 举行的联谊聚会。

The show began! The 18th Annual Legion Fellowship are being held in St. Michael Church, Ipoh from 28/5/2010 to 1/6/2010. About 400 legionaries from East, West Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei and Taiwan arrived at the venue as early as 26/5//2010.

More pics in Facebook 更多照片

The vocation of Sr. Marie (玛丽亚修女的圣召-英文版）

The [Holy Dash] trip was tight and short. Age was catching up and my physical endurance is getting weaker. 3 hours of checking in time at the airport, 4 1/2 hours of flight and 1 hour of taxi ride to home, exhausted me... has not recover as yet till today...

The [Holy Dash] did not make me holy instantly, but my understanding of "holiness" has been deepened and renewed. One could not be unaffected dashing from one holy place to another.

I was especially touched by Sr. Marie and her fellow sister nuns' serenity and joy radiated from within. As a Christian, a holy life is pleasing to God and the fulfillment of our vocation of holiness.

Sr. Marie has chosen the path through complete surrender and sacrifice to God to attain holiness.

After her Solemn Profession, Sr. Marie shared her story of her vocation. With her permission, I have translated into English as below:

The vocation story of Sr. Marie Aimee of Jesus

It was not my dream, not even my primary ambition to be a nun, but He called me when I was 21 years old. I did not panic, neither did I doubt the genuine of the Call nor asking “why me”. In my heart I responded to his Call, although I did not have much idea of being a Carmelite nun.

After many years, when I completed my studies, He called me again. The message was : “leave your country, your kindred and your father’s house for a country which I shall show you, you are to be a blessing”. From then on, I understood that I have to leave my birth place, go to a new country, never to return! Luckily, He did not say: act immediately now, to realize my plan for you. So in my heart, I responded: ” give me few more years, allow me to be with my family. After that I shall be completely yours”.. He agreed. He blessed my works, and also sending kind souls to assist me in obtaining visa to Taiwan.

When I was about to enter into a new phase of my life, the political situation in Taiwan was very volatile and in turmoil. Friends advised me to delay the trip. “ you are alone and a stranger in a new place. Should anything happen to you…”. I was not perturbed. I recalled my earlier telephone conversation with the Sister, her first sentence was : “ Leave your country, your kindred and your father’s house for a country which I shall show you, you are to be a blessing ”. I was taken aback, the same message! I did not wish to delay further, and decided to leave immediately. For failure or success, at least I have responded His call and realizing my promise to Him.

On May 6, 2004, with USD$300.00 and two pairs of shoes, I left for Taiwan, with no credit card, no second set of clothing to change, more so without a luggage. At the KL International Airport, I handed over my hand phone to my friend. She said:” could it be a scam..?” I looked at my one way ticket, did not answer except smiled and said goodbye. I left for the boarding gates without looking back. I followed the instruction of the Sister, bringing nothing. Few hours later, I was at the Taoyuan Airport, Taipei, meeting a complete stranger, bringing me to the Carmelite Monastery at Shen Keng. At about 7:00 pm, I entered the enclave.

The result.. today, May 23, 2010, allowing me a little boastfulness, I would like to say:“ I am more blessed than Abraham, for in my living days, I entered the Promise Land. May I invite all of you to recite with me the praises: “ My soul glorify the Lord, my soul rejoice in God our Saviour, for he looks on His servant in her nothingness, all generation shall call me blessed.”

May God bless and reward you all for coming to my Solemn Profession and sharing my joy.

修女的圣召过程

这趟『朝圣的奔驰』的确是很短及紧凑。年纪大了，体能也大不如前，四个半小时的飞机航程，加上三个小时提早到机场登记，再加上一个小时的机场到家的计程车时间，回到家，已经是精疲力竭了。。。到今天还没有回复体能。。。真是哎呀呀！

『朝圣的奔驰』没有使到我即时的变的事圣洁（holy)，但我对圣洁，却是有另一番的体验及概念革新。你不可能身在臭豆腐摊，不会沾染到臭豆腐味；同样的，到了圣洁的修院，接触到清心寡欲的修女们，不会毫无感动！

特别是看到玛丽亚修女及她的姐妹修女们发自内心的喜乐及和祥，我一定会更鞭策自己醒悟到，作为一位基督徒，圣洁的生活，才是取悦于天主的生活，是成圣的必然条件。

玛丽亚修女在发愿过后，分享了她的圣召过程。得到她的允许，特别放在这里和大家分享：

耶稣钟爱的玛利亚修女的圣召故事 (修女原文）

成为修女不是我的梦想，更不是我的第一志愿，但他却召叫了我。那一年，我21岁，我没有惊惶失措，也没有任何疑惑这个召叫的真实性，更没有太多的<为什么是我>。我在心里回应了他的召叫，虽然那时我并无完整的概念，对於当一个隐修女是怎么的一回事！

过了几年，他又召叫了我。那年我完成了学业。这次的讯息是<离开你的故乡，你的家族和你父亲的家，往我指给你的地方去，我要使你成为一个福源>。从那天起我明白了，我将离开我的出生地，到另一个陌生的国度，永远不再返家了！所幸他并没有说：你得马上行动，实行我在你生命中的划。因此我在心里答复他说：<给我几年时间，好让我能与家人欢聚之後，我会完完全全的属於你>。他答应了！他降福了我的工作，更让我处处遇贵人，让我很顺利的拿到签证入境台湾。

在我要启程开始我人生的另一个阶段时，当时的台湾政治局势很不稳定，满城风雨，友人劝说：迟些时候再去吧！你一个人，单身女子，去到陌生地，人生路不熟，举目无亲，万一有个什么的。。。怎么办。。。。我不为所动，我回想起当我与修女联络时，从电话的另一端，传过来的第一句话是：<离开你的故乡，你的家族和你父亲的家，往我指给你的地方去，我要使你成为一个福源>。我愣住了，同样的讯息！因此我不想拖时间，毅然决定的说走就走，因为不管成功或失败，至少我已答复了他的召叫，实现了我对他的承诺。

2004年5月6日，我只带了300美金和两双鞋子来台湾，身上没有信用卡，没有第二套换洗衣服，更不用说带旅行袋。在大马国际机场，当我把手机交给友人时，她说到：会不会是个骗局。。。？我看著手中单程的机票，只微笑道再见，头也不回的昂首走进栅栏。我真的按照修女的指示，不带任何东西就来了。过了几个小时，我在桃园机场等待著一个我素未谋面的人，接我去深坑隐修院报到。当天晚上7时左右，我踏入了隐院禁地。

结果呢，今天2010年5月23日，恕我斗胆的对你们在座的每一位说：我比亚巴郎幸运，因为在我活著的时候，我已进入了福地。现在我愿意邀请大家同我一起赞颂说：<我的灵魂颂扬上主，我的心灵欢跃於我的救主天主，因为他垂顾了他卑微的使女，今後万代的人都要称我有福>。天主赏报大家参与我的奉献，分享我的喜乐。

The profession ceremony 发愿典礼

Priests, Religious and well wishers streaming into the monastery as time approaching. The rain started early in the morning stopped!

I met some of Sr. Marie's former classmates and uni-mates from Malaysia and Singapore. Kuala Lumpur Archdiocese Fr. who is studying Mandarin in Taiwan and seminarian Augustine Lee who is pursuing Theology study at Fu Ren University were also present.

I also met few of my fellow legionaries from Taipei came for the ceremony.

His Grace, "the humorous" Archbishop Hong, with about 15 priests and 2 Deacons, celebrated the Mass and the profession ceremony. His jokes and lively sermon made the otherwise solemn proceedings filled with love, joy and laughter.

After the profession and robing, Sr. Marie received a bouquet of flowers from her mother. His Grace Archbishop, as the head shepherd of the Taipei Archdiocese, also thanks Sr. Marie's mother and family for their great sacrifice and offering of a daughter to the vineyard of God. (More pictures on Facebook)


当庆典时间越迫近时，神父，神职人员及教友朋友们陆续的抵达了修院。从早上就下着的的雨，突然停了！

我遇见了多位来自马来西亚，新加坡的大学同学。到台湾来学华语，来自吉隆坡总教区的神父及在辅仁大学修读神，哲学的李义兴修士，也到了参加典礼。

我也很高兴的回见到来参加发愿礼的台北圣母军军友，特别是秀英，素瑾和美满姐妹。素瑾和美满将在几天后，到来马来西亚，参加怡保第十八届圣母军交流会，到时我们可有好多时间聚谈。遗憾的是，秀英因工作，不能参与。

台北洪山川总主教，联同大约十五位神父及两位执事，主持了弥撒及发终身圣愿仪式。幽默的洪总主教，他的笑话及证道，使到原本严肃的典礼，充满温馨，喜乐及欢笑。

在发愿及穿上正式的会袍之后，妈妈向修女献上一束美丽的鲜花，温情感人。洪总主教，作为总教区的首牧，向修女的妈妈及家人，至上虔诚的谢意，感谢他们把一位女儿奉献给天主葡萄园。

弥撒及仪式结束后，修会特设了茶点招待到会者。新发愿玛利亚修女及姐妹修女们，也特地和他们交谈及道谢。 (更多照片在FACEBOOK)

玛丽亚（金燕）修女 Sr. Marie's Profession (Chinese version)

金燕的妈妈，四姐，外甥女及弟弟世兴

在台北的第二天，是圣神降临日，我们参加了在修院的圣堂弥撒，由年届83的刘神父主持圣祭。刘神父曾在槟城大修院完成了七年的司铎培训，甲柔教区的顾神父及余怀仁神父是他的同学。

今天将是非常欢欣的一天，因为我将会和玛丽亚（金燕）修女见面。。。六年来的第一次！

台湾有两所圣母隐修院，就是在台北穹林的总院，及在深坑的分院。目前总院有大约二十多为修女，深坑则有13位修女。玛丽亚修女是在深坑修院。

修院坐落在深坑，但并不如其名，而是在深坑镇的一座小山上，被许多山丘及树木围绕，小河流水，环境清雅宁静。

我和慧娜在本笃修院用完了早餐后，马上启程前往深坑。当天一早，雨就下个不停。我们乘坐捷运，再转坐计程车，在中午时间，到了深坑加尔默罗圣母隐修院。

因为是玛丽亚修女发永愿的大喜日子，修院特准修女会见来自国外的家人及朋友，所以我们很幸运的马上就和玛丽亚修女见面了。

她没什么特大的改变，只是从一位稚嫩的姑娘，穿上了会衣，显得端庄平和，但不失少女的朴真。依然没有改变的是她调皮及喜乐的笑容。

“安哥西满，你是不是在生我的气？。。。。去年，台北交流会期间，我盼望你到来探访我（假如你有来）。。。。我现在真的是很高兴看到了你！”

我要求她的原谅。我们谈了好多，回顾以前在加影的趣事。。。朋友们。。。。及。。。哦哦。。我答应要给她一间屋子的结婚礼物！！！

我告诉她我全都奉献给主耶稣了，要就向他拿把！。。（多么聪明的答案）。我问她在修会的生活。。。从她发自内心的喜乐和平安和祥，我知道她的修道及奉献生活过得很好，我非常的高兴及放心。

“我一定要介绍台北总主教给你认识。。。他是一位非常随和及充满爱心的神长。。” 她说的就是洪山川总主教。我在去年的台北交流会期间，就和他会过面了。他的确是位好客，随和及风趣的主教。

玛丽亚修女的妈妈，四姐及弟弟，特地到台北参加她的发愿典礼。洪总主教亲自招待他们，包括邀请他们到主教寓所共进晚餐，另外还特别安排主顾会修女全程接待他们，还特别指示自己的私人司机，随时候命，接载他们。这的确是令人感觉温馨的举动，体现一位教会神长的仁慈及受人尊敬的一面。

我们谈了将近两个小时，最后得停下来，因为修女要准备即将在下午三时举行的发愿典礼及弥撒。

Sr. Marie Aimee's profession 玛利亚（金燕）修女发愿 （英文版）

On Sunday, the second day in Taipei, we celebrated Pentecost Sunday Mass at the chapel in the Convent. The celebrant was 83 years old Fr. Liu who had spent 7 years in the College General Penang for his priestly formation. Fr. Ku and Fr. Yu from Melaka-Johor Diocese were among his classmates.

It was expected to be an exciting day. I was going to meet Sr. Marie for the first time in more than 6 years....

There are 2 Carmelite Monasteries in Taiwan, one in Taipei and a branch in Shen Keng (means deep hole in Mandarin). There are more than 20 nuns in Taipei monastery and 13 in Shen Keng. Sr. Marie is attached to Shen Keng Monastery.

The monastery is not in a deep hole or valley but on a hill surrounded by forest.

Hui Na and I left for the monastery immediately after breakfast and arrived there at noon. It was her big day, so Sr. Marie was allowed to see us (oversea visitors) upon our arrival.

She didn't change much...still jovial, cheeky and smiling. She looked blessed and serene.

"Uncle Simon, were you angry with me?.... I was expecting your visit last year during the Legion fellowship in Taipei ........ I am so happy to see you today!..."

I asked for her forgiveness and chatted...reminiscing her time in Kajang ...friends.... and ........ oooopsssss .... the house I promised her as wedding present!!!

I have to change the subject and asking her about her life in the monastery. I am happy to see her living out her vocation happily in the monastery.

"I must introduce you to the Archbishop of Taipei... he is such a kind and warm person ... " He was referring to Archbishop Hong whom I had met last year during our Taipei Legion Fellowship.

Sr. Marie's mother, elder sister and younger brother were in Taipei to attend her Solemn Profession. Archbishop Hong was so kind to look into their needs personally including hosting dinner for them at his residence, checking on them to make sure they were comfortable, assigning certain people to care for them ... and let them use his car and driver wherever and whenever they required.

We chatted for almost 2 hours and had to stop for her to get ready for the ceremony at 3:00 pm.

Looking at the photos of friends
翻看旧时的照片

Rev. Sr. Marie Aimee

Rev. Sr. Marie Aimee 玛丽亚（金燕）修女

St.Benedict Convent in Danshui 淡水圣本笃修院

It was a short but fruitful trip.

However, the 3 days in Taipei were dashing between airport, a convent, a monastery, a religious center and airport. It was a Holy Dash...

I arrived at Taipei at about 4:00pm with 3 other friends - Robert, Jane and Christina. Except Robert, Christina was the uni-mate of Sr. Marie, and Jane through church activities. They would attend the Solemn Profession and stay back for a retreat.

We were welcomed by the Sisters at the St. Benedict Convent in Danshui, north of Taipei. The Sisters had prepared for us comfortable rooms and delicious meals.

At night we had the opportunity to visit the night market of Danshui town and tried out the various local hawker food. (more pictures at Facebook)


这趟台北之行，虽短但圆满结束。

这三天的行程，主要就是奔跑在机场，修院，隐修院，修会中心及机场之间，可说是一项『朝圣之奔驰』。。。我还以为到圣洁的地方，不需要很多的步行，所以没带我的第三只脚（手杖），但却出乎意料之外的相反，幸好我的残脚没有出卖我。

我在星期六傍晚四时左右抵达台北。同行的有贵才（Robert), 妙琴(Jane)和慧娜(Christina)。除了贵才他不认识之外，慧娜是玛丽亚修女（金燕）的大学同学，而妙琴则透过教会活动，认识玛丽亚修女。他们三人都会和我一同参加发愿典礼（主要目的），然后留在圣本笃修院作避静。

坐落在北部的淡水圣本笃会修院的修女热情的欢迎我们，并为我们准备好了舒适的房间及美味哦餐膳。

在晚上，我们也趁机到离开修院不远的淡水夜市场溜达，并品尝道地的著名小吃。(更多照片Facebook）

(posted at the Taipei Airport 写于台北机场)