Category: Sisters of the Infant Jesus

“Whatever happens, Be always trust and peace with God” Perkongsian Sr.Clarice Marius, IJ Sempena Hidup Bakti Keuskupan Keningau

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Sr.Clarice Marius, IJ

Saya Sister Clarice Marius dari kongregasi Infant Jesus sister. Saya berasal dari Kampung Tigot, Keningau. Saya dari keluarga yang besar dan saya anak ketujuh dalam 10 adik beradik.

Waktu remaja saya sangat aktif dalam pelayanan gereja seperti pelayan altar, choir sebagai KBK dan juga mengikuti aktiviti KWK. Saya tidak pernah mengikut seminar panggilan. Perkataan ‘hidup biara atau religious’ di perkenalkan oleh ibu-ibu KWK ketika saya mengikuti pelayanan mereka. Saya rasa benih itu bermula di sana.

Walaubagaimanapun, selepas SPM saya keluar berkerja tetapi saya tidak pernah berkerja lama di sebabkan kerinduan mahu mengikuti aktiviti gereja dan mengikuti misa. Saya rasa semua ini rencana Tuhan, saya dapat memasuki Monfort youth training center di mana para belia lelaki dan perempuan dapat bimbingan rohani. Di sinilah, saya mengenali Infant Jesus sister. Sr. Teresa di jemput oleh Monfort Brother untuk membimbing kami dari segi Rohani terutama sekali mengenal Yesus dengan lebih dalam lagi melalui perkongsian alkitab, berdoa dan merenung sabda Allah. Sr. Teresa jugalah yang memperkenalkan saya tentang apa itu panggilan Tuhan. Dia memperkenalkan kepada kami pelbagai kongregasi.

Kenapa saya memilih Infant Jesus Sister kerana:

  1. Saya mengenal mereka lebih dulu dan tertarik dengan cara, semangat pelayanan mereka yang sentiasa bertenaga walaupun sudah tua, tidak berputus asa.
  2. Keberanian mereka melayani di pedalaman terutama dari segi pendidikan, walaupun dengan perjalanan yang susah ketika itu.
  3. Tertarik dengan sifat pengasas kami iaitu rendah hati dan sentiasa terbuka akan panggilan Tuhan dan kemudian membimbing para wanita yang ingin melayani di ladang Tuhan dan akhirnya menyahut panggilan untuk hidup membiara.

Pertanyaan dalam diri saya apabila melihat sifat yang mereka miliki ialah macam mana mereka semua mempunyai kekuatan semangat pelayanan walaupun susah. Dan saya dapati ianya datang dari berkat kuasa Tuhan. Selain itu, mereka juga mengambil image bayi Yesus sebagai contoh dalam pelayanan mereka kerana sifat bayi Yesus yang sangat indah sekali.

Cabaran dalam religious life ada banyak terutama sekali:

  1. Hidup berkomuniti kerana kongregasi saya dari pelbagai bangsa, bahasa dan budaya.  Jika dalam keluarga pun boleh ada perselisihan faham apakan lagi bersama komuniti yang berlainan bangsa, bahasa, budaya dan pendapat.

Saya mahu mengakhiri perkongsian ini dengan quote dari pengasas kami Fr. Nicolas Barred dan dari petikan injil Matius 28:20 yang membuat saya selalu kuat dalam perjalanan mengikuti Yesus.

 “Whatever Happens… Be always at peace and trust in God, What you will experience will be in proportion to your Faith, your Hope and your Love and even more abundantly than that” (Fr. Nicolas Barre).

SISTERS OF THE INFANT JESUS

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IJS

nicolasThe Sisters of the Infant Jesus, previously known as the Congregation of the Holy Infant Jesus or the Dame of Saint Maur, is a Roman Catholic religious institute, dedicated to education and the training of the poor for their betterment of their lives. They were founded in Paris in 1675, as part of the work of the Blessed Nicolas Barre, a Minim friar and Catholic priest (1621-1686), who had gathered some young women for the free instruction of the poor in Rouen in 1662. The members of the Institute use the post-nominal initials of S.I.J or I.J.S (previously C.H.I.J).

The foundation of Barre schools and of the Sisters suggested to St. John Baptist de La Salle the idea of accomplishing a similar work for boys, resulting in his founding of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools.

After the destruction of the French Revolution had closed all the schools of the Institute, it was not until 1805 when a new community of teachers was formed by seven surviving members of the Institute. The new growth of the Institute was such that, by the mid 19th century, schools were opened in Spain and Asia. Sisters of the Holy Infant Jesus were among the pioneer missionaries in British Malaya, Japan and Thailand. In 1887, after over 200 years of service without taking of religious vows, this congregation of Sisters became a religious institute of pontifical right, able to operate independently worldwide.

In 1970 a federtion was established between the congregation of Paris and Rouen to facilitate a greater sense of cooperation and common identity. in 2007 a revival of the original form of life was established, one open to both women and men, called Fraternity of the Infant Jesus, whereby they can live and serve in the spirit of Barre.

Today, the IJS Sisters desire is to make Jesus Christ known and loved through a variety of ministries which continue to evolve according to the needs in each country. Their particular focus is to reach out to those who are most in need. At present IJS Sisters involvements include ministry to children and young people; support of migrants and the education of their children; working with prisoners and their families; teaching children with speech and hearing disabilities; providing riding for disabled children and young people; organizing agricultural projects in the Andes. In addition, IJS Sisters continue to teach in primary and secondary schools; to run medical centres in Africa and to be involved in pastoral and parish ministries.

Animator:

Sr. Celestine Tham, IJS

P.O. Box 1151

89008 Keningau, Sabah

Tel: 087-339587