Limbanak community witnesses solemn profession of Franciscan friar

On July 9, the parish community of the Church of St Aloysius, Limbanak, joined the Franciscan friars in witnessing the solemn profession of Friar Nelson Evarinus Sipalan into the Order of Friars Minor (OFM) by the Minister Provincial, Friar Philip Miscamble.

Jul 15, 2022

Friar Nelson Evarinus Sipalan, OFM


PENAMPANG, Sabah:
On July 9, the parish community of the Church of St Aloysius, Limbanak, joined the Franciscan friars in witnessing the solemn profession of Friar Nelson Evarinus Sipalan into the Order of Friars Minor (OFM) by the Minister Provincial, Friar Philip Miscamble.

Friar Nelson of Kadazan/Dusun heritage, hails from the rural town of Membakut and had worked for 12 years in a five-star international resort. He was inspired by the spiritual works of St Francis of Assisi, which motivated him to join the Order.

In his address, Friar Nelson thanked Fr Wilfred Atin, from the Church of St Michael, Penampang, for his support and blessings and for allowing the Franciscan Friars to celebrate the Solemn Profession Mass at the Church of St Aloysius, which comes under the administration of Fr Wilfred.

Friar Nelson also thanked his parents, extended family, relatives, friends, the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception (FSIC) and the organising committee “for their support, care, commitment, prayers and love to ensure the success of my Franciscan religious journey”.

On another note, the Custos, Friar Derrick Yap from Singapore, shared with the congregation the significance and importance of the date, July 9, to the Order.

“The Franciscans celebrate the memory of Sts Nicholas Pieck (1534-1572), Willehad, and their 17 companions, martyred during the brutal religious wars that accompanied the Reformation in Europe and the Franciscan family honours the memory of a group of 25 Franciscans, both European missionary friars and sisters and native Secular Franciscans, who were martyred in Shanxi province, China, this day in 1900 during the Boxer Rebellion.”

As the newly professed Friar Nelson continues his religious journey, we are reminded of the quote by St Francis of Assisi, ‘Start by doing what’s necessary, then what’s possible and suddenly you are doing the impossible.’

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