Pauline Sisters mark 60 years of missionary service in Peninsular Malaysia

PETALING JAYA – The Daughters of St Paul (aka Pauline Sisters) marked 60 years of missionary service in Peninsular Malaysia on 19 March 2025, Solemnity of St Joseph Husband of Mary at their convent here.  Around 220 friends and collaborators including the clergy and religious joined them and the Pauline Cooperators who were also celebrating 50 years of existence at the same time.

The Thanksgiving Mass, presided by Abp Julian Leow, was concelebrated with Abp Wojciech Zaluski, the Apostolic Nuncio to Malaysia and 22 priests.  Representatives from the different religious institutes of the Kuala Lumpur Archdiocese also graced the occasion.  The low-key event was organized with the help of the Assumption Parish Team.  The event at parish level will be held on April 27 at the 11:30 am Mass followed by a simple reception at the parish hall.

The community traces its history back to the time when the community first opened a house in North Borneo in 1961.  From there the Sisters sometimes went to Singapore for book mission as they wanted to open a house there.  However, it was not the time yet so they accepted the invitation of then Msgr Dominic Vendargon of Kuala Lumpur to open a house in his diocese in 1965.  This was confirmed in his letter of approval of the establishment of the Daughters of St Paul in the Diocese of Kuala Lumpur in 1969.  Initially, the Sisters stayed at a rented apartment in Brickfields but in 1968 they moved to their permanent residence at 161 Jalan Gasing Petaling Jaya.

In the past 60 years the Pauline Sisters have involved many lay people in their mission of evangelization through the media – these lay people were first inducted into the Association of Pauline Cooperators (APCs) in 1975.  Over the last 50 years, the APCs have been involved in the Pauline Mission such as Bible Enthronement in homes, book diffusion in local and outstation parishes, forming media clubs in schools and parishes, conducting film/video analysis in schools and parishes, participating in World Communications Day activities, serving at the Pauline Media Centre, assisting in the publication of the bimonthly newsletter for the parishes, printing of Christmas Cards and Prayer Cards for diffusion, and co-organising fundraisers (coffee mornings, bazaars) for the media apostolate.

The Daughters of St Paul and the Pauline Cooperators belong the Pauline Family founded by Blessed James Alberione in Italy at various times between 1914 and 1960.  The Pauline Family consists of five religious institutes (Society of St Paul, Daughters of St Paul, Pious Disciples of the Divine Master, Sisters of Jesus Good Shepherd, Apostoline Sisters); four secular institutes (Institute of St Gabriel for men, Institute of Our Lady of the Annunciation for women, Institute of Jesus Priest for diocesan clergy, Holy Family Institute for married couples) and one lay organization (Association of Pauline Cooperators).

The Pauline Sisters would like to thank all those who have helped them in their mission in the past 60 years.  As time passes, people grow old.  Buildings also deteriorate.  In fact, the Sisters are in need of funds to repair their convent and apostolic building.  To raise funds, T-shirts are available for sale at RM20 (round neck) and at RM30 (with collar).  A fundraising dinner will be held on July 12.

Any amount of donation will be greatly appreciated be it through cash or through online transfer: Daughters of St Paul CIMB Account No 8008262849.  Please WhatsApp donation bank slip to 011-31060104.  Acknowledgement Receipt will be sent to the donor accordingly.  Thank you. – Sr.Ay,fsp