Article by Anathasia Thomas
Taking inspiration from Isaiah 41:10 “Do not be afraid, for I am with you; do not be alarmed, for I am your God. I give you strength, truly I help you, truly I hold you firm with my saving right hand”, Seminarian Raymond Lee Seng Huat joined the hierarchy of clergy as Deacon on 15 November 2021 at the St. Mary’s Cathedral, Sandakan.
The Sandakan Diocese has a great reason to rejoice because the Diaconate Ordination is indicative that God always provides workers in his vineyard. In the words of His Lordship, Rt. Rev Datuk Julius Dusin Gitom, DD, he was the happiest man as he has ordained the 7th Deacon and a special one at that, because this is the 1st Deacon from the Chinese Community since his Lordship became the Bishop of the Diocese of Sandakan in 2007. Bishop Julius mentioned that this Ordination was also a sign that the faith of the Chinese community as well as the parish community, as a whole, is active and growing from strength to strength.
Seminarian Raymond’s pastoral formation began in the year 2016. He was assigned to serve in the Holy Trinity Church, Tawau. In 2019, he served in St. Martin’s Church, Telupid and thereafter in 2020, he did his pastoral work with the Paitan Mission. He later served at St. Theresa’s Church, Serian, Sarawak, before returning to Sandakan.
The process of the Diaconate Ordination started a week prior to when Seminarian Raymond received the Rite of Admission to Candidacy for Holy Orders on 10 November 2021 at the St. Mary’s Cathedral.
Rite of Admission to Candidacy for Holy Orders.
The Ordination Mass took place at the St. Mary’s Cathedral on Monday, 15 November 2021 at 4:00 pm. About 200 parishioners, including Archbishop John Wong of the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu, priests from the various parishes in the Diocese of Sandakan, and families and friends of Seminarian Raymond. The mass was also live-streamed for parishioners who were unable to participate.
During the Rite of Ordination of a Deacon, Seminarian Raymond, was presented as the candidate to the Order of the Diaconate. Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. David A. Garaman confirmed that Seminarian Raymond was worthy for this ordination and was chosen for the Order of the Diaconate.
Bishop Julius reminded Seminarian Raymond that he should uphold good reputation, filled with wisdom and the Holy Spirit, and that he shall exercise his ministry committed to a life of celibacy. Seminarian Raymond then made his promises of obedience before Bishop Julius.
Seminarian Raymond then prostrated himself before the Altar submitting his total dependence to God and willingness in offering his life for service to the church as the choir recite The Litany of the Saints. Bishop Julius then laid his hands on Seminarian Raymond’s head, and prayed the Prayer of Consecration.
Newly ordained, Deacon Raymond is then vested with the stole and dalmatic, the appropriate vestments to the Order of Deacon. He then approached and knelt before Bishop Julius, who then placed the Book of Gospels in his hands. This was followed with the sign of peace made by Bishop Julius to Deacon Raymond and thereafter Deacon Raymond to Archbishop John Wong and the other priests. He then took his seat next to Bishop Julius and assisted in the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
Deacon Raymond shared that his journey in the seminarian formation was met with many challenges, and the Diaconate Ordination was not a means to an end but a beginning of another new journey. He urged the parishioners to continue praying for him and supporting him so that he would be a humble servant of God serving his church and the community.
