HONG KONG (SE): On November 21, the Disciples of the Divine Master [PDDM] celebrated the launching of the jubilee year of the centennial of their foundation in 2024, with a Mass at Mount Carmel Church in Star Street, Wanchai. The liturgy was celebrated by the Divine Word [SVD] Father Jay Francis, chaplain to Filipinos, as well as Father Emil Lim SVD and Father Augustinus Guntoro SCJ, and assisted by Deacon Alex Kwan.
Benefactors and friends of the sisters joined in the Mass.
The PDDM congregation are the third of the Pauline Family founded by the Blessed James Alberione. They are specially dedicated to Jesus, the divine master, present in the Eucharist, the priesthood and the liturgy.
Before the Mass, an introduction was given by Sister Luz Cabahug, who once served in Hong Kong and was recently assigned to the Philippines. She came to Hong Kong for this occasion.
“The celebration of the Eucharist reflects the living witness of the Sisters Disciples all around the world: taken, blessed, broken and given that others may have abundance of life” she said. Going further, she said, “We walk with Christ our Light symbolised by the Pauline Family lamp, which we bring to the sanctuary as a form of sacrificial offering.”
She said that like the Blessed Virgin Mary, the sisters offer themselves and are presented before the Lord as living sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving.
On 21 November 1923, Blessed James Alberione gathered Orsola Rivata and Matilde Gerlotto in Italy for a mission.
The congregation, founded in Alba, Italy, on 10 February 1924, participates in the mission of ordained ministers, in the spirit of the Blessed Virgin Mary, by accompanying the vocations to the priesthood and collaborates in their formation, and caring for priests and religious, especially those in situations of poverty, illness and advanced age.
The PDDM is present in 28 countries. In Hong Kong, they serve at three churches: Annunciation Church in Tsuen Wan, Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Wanchai and St. Jude’s Church in North Point.
