Legionaries visit La Foresta in Kiulu

Nov 11, 2016

By Joan Pang
10 legionaries of St Simon Catholic Church Likas, led by its President Thomas Chong, visited the La Foresta Franciscan Hermitage on Sept 16.

The purpose of the visit was to foster closer ties among the members and the religious sisters.

On hand to welcome and brief the group were Sr Joan Michael and Sr Veronica. This was followed by the Praesidium’s 957th meeting at the “green” room, so called because the hut is covered with green nylon mosquito-proof netting.

The Rosary was recited, the Handbook passage and the Allocutio were read followed by reports on assigned activities carried out during the week:

* Home and hospital visits and bringing Holy Communion to the sick and the elderly;
* Recitation of the rosary at wakes and funerals;
* Conducting religious instructions classes and para-liturgical services on Sundays.

After the meeting, the group climbed the nearby hill for a view of the hermit huts. Seven buildings are dotted along the steep slopes for the sole purpose of quiet mediation in seclusion.

From that vantage point, one could see that the 7-acre property is like a Garden of Eden — far away from the hustle and bustle of life — and filled with all kinds of plants, like a botanical garden.

The place is a sanctuary for many varieties of bright and colourful butterflies. As the group explored the place, they saw numerous butterflies dancing from flower to flower — diligently sucking up the nectar.

In addition, the clear river water is teeming with fish. Perhaps inspired by this, the sisters built fish ponds to rear local Tilapia fish – guaranteed organic.

A crystal clear river and lush greenery added to the serene environment at the Franciscan Hermitage

After the vigorous walk, the group had a potluck fellowship with the sisters and left the place with fond memories of the hermitage and feeling a little bit closer to God.