Vocation story from a Carmelite sister
Why did I become a Carmelite nun?
One day, when I walked into the library of the Bukit Nanas Convent School, I saw a small paper cutting on one of the tables. The title caught my eye. It was a prayer to be said after receiving Holy Communion, and it was a prayer for union with Jesus. I asked Sister Canice, an Irish Sister in charge of the library, if I could have the prayer. She readily gave it to me. I was in Form Three at that time. From then on I used to say this prayer after I received Holy Communion. Following my parents’ good example, I had formed the habit of attending Holy Mass and receiving Holy Communion daily whenever I could. Hence I said this prayer very frequently. And I think that the desire for union with Jesus grew stronger and stronger in me.
The next year, I had a very good Scottish science teacher. Mrs. Sweeney was her name. One day she showed us in class a Geographical magazine which she opened at the central page. A section of the cosmos was depicted on the two central pages. I became aware of the immensity of the cosmos for the first time. She told us that what was depicted on those two pages, was only a very small section of the Cosmos. If I remember correctly, it was the Milky Way, the Galaxy of which our universe formed a part. To my surprise, our universe, our sun with its dependent planets, depicted at the right hand corner of the page, was very small. Compared to the huge spheres which covered the two pages, our sun was very tiny. It was the size of the head of a pin and around it were our planets. Our earth was so small that it could not be represented even by a dot. Only the word “earth” was written at the place where it was supposed to be.
Then a thought flashed through my mind! “How great and powerful God must be to have created this immense Cosmos!” This was followed by another thought: “How small the earth is, and yet there are millions of people on this earth. How puny man must be! Consequently, compared to God how tiny I am! And yet God comes into me at Holy Communion in the form of a tiny host! He makes Himself so small for my sake! How much God loves me!” It was mind-boggling!! For some time after that insight, this thought would surface in my mind whenever I received Holy Communion. And, today, I think it increased tremendously my love for this great God who out of love for me, humbles Himself and makes Himself so small in order to unite Himself with me every time I receive Him in
Holy Communion!
Hence when it came to deciding my future, I wanted to give myself to this Lover who loved me so much, and to be united to Him. Where could I reach union with God as quickly as possible?
Fortunately for me, when I was in Form Five, my sister sent me the Autobiography of St. Therese of the Child Jesus. Being a bookworm, I devoured the book in a day or two. St. Therese gave me the answer to my query. At 15 she had entered the Carmelite Monastery of Lisieux and she died a saint at 24. I came to the conclusion that Carmel is the short-cut to union with God! I resolved to enter the Carmel in Singapore as there was none in West Malaysia.
Were there any obstacles?
Mrs. Sweeney who liked me very much, told me that I should become a doctor. Towards the end of my year in Form Four, she offered to teach Biology as an extra subject to me and my class mates. At that time our exam papers were set and corrected in Cambridge, England, and our General Science Paper included Biology, Chemistry and Physics as one subject. She said that in addition to General Science, I could take Biology as another subject. So in Form Five, I very gladly gave up the Art subject in order to take Biology as an additional subject. Five other students in my class did the same. Mrs. Sweeney kept her word and gave us extra Biology lessons on Saturday mornings. She even brought us to visit the Institute of Medical Research in Kuala Lumpur. I think that for the last three months in Form Four I seriously played with the idea of becoming a doctor.
At the end of the year during our Oral English Exam, Sr. Canice asked me what I intended to be. I said that I thought of becoming a doctor. A few days later, I was called to the office of Reverend Mother Pauline who very kindly told me that nowadays it was easy to lose a vocation if one went to the university. She also told me that the Infant Jesus Sisters needed girls like me to carry on their work. My cousin, Sr. Stella, who is an I. J. Sister, also asked me to join her congregation. She even invited me to witness a profession ceremony in Penang in 1956, and I accepted her invitation.
In our school every year, the I. J. Sisters used to organize enclosed retreats for the students of Forms 3, 4, and 5 during the school holidays at end of the year. During the retreat in 1954, I noticed a little pamphlet on a table on which they had placed various pamphlets. In it I read that if one had a vocation, one should not delay to answer the call because the vocation could be lost. I therefore decided not to go for further studies after Form Five.
When I told my parents of my decision, they did not object as they left their children free to decide what they wanted to do with their future. My father said that our home is like a bird’s nest. When the little birds grow wings, they fly away. However, he said that I was still very young.
When I applied to Singapore Carmel, they said that I was too young and that I should wait for a while. I did not mind the waiting. All that my parents asked of me was to drive my younger brothers and sister to school and bring them home. So, for the first five months after my Form Five, after dropping them at their schools, I indulged my love for reading by spending the school hours reading in the Gurney Library. But after five months, I was fed up. So I asked Sr. Gerard, if I could spend my time in teaching. She speedily found me a job in the Convent school as a relief teacher until the Normal School for training teachers in K.G.V. began that year. I did not mind joining the Normal School as I knew that I could leave it whenever I wanted.
To my surprise, I found that I enjoyed teaching. So, when Singapore Carmel told me in June 1957 I could enter the Carmel, I was having my own class, Form I D, and I was having a very good rapport with my students. They were very sorry when I told them that I was going to stop teaching at the end of June. They bought gifts for me on the last day; and one day when I returned home after a shopping spree, I was told that my students had come to visit me and that they had brought some fruits for me. Towards the end of July, my family and I drove to Singapore.
Life in Carmel
I entered the enclosure of the Carmel on the 7th August1957. A few days after my entrance, I had an insight into the Indwelling Trinity. I learnt that God was really dwelling in my soul day and night! I was so happy that I wanted to jump with joy and to share it with the whole world. However, I did not tell anyone. What a joy to know that God was always living in my soul, and that I could contact Him at any time! This joy has accompanied me all my life in Carmel. A short while after this experience, during a lesson on the Ascent of Mount Carmel Book II Chapter 5 in which St. John of the Cross mentioned that Union with God was the goal of the Spiritual life, Mother Marguerite, the Prioress, said that Union with God was the goal of our Carmelite life. When I heard that, I said to myself, “I have come to the right place.” My motive for joining the Carmelites was precisely to reach union with God as soon as possible! Thus, I was convinced that I had made the right decision, and I have never regretted becoming a Carmelite!
Were there any trials?
As I was not yet in heaven, trials were inevitable as in any other walk of life. For example: as I was unaccustomed to physical labour, it made me very tired. I remember one Saturday when I was sweeping the stairs, I stopped short at the landing. I was so tired that I could not put one foot before the other! And there were other chores to be done! What was I to do? Silently I turned to Jesus and told Him, “Jesus, it is only for you that I do this!” Suddenly, to my great surprise my strength returned, and I could do my chores easily. Whenever I had any difficulty, I called on Jesus, and He always came to my help.
It was a very big trial to me to have been appointed novice mistress at the age of 29! However, now as I look back, I realize that it was a great grace. Jesus was helping me to grow up spiritually. He made me aware of His new commandment which he gave to his apostles on the night before He died. “I give you a new Commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” (John 13: 34) As novice mistress, there were many opportunities to practice the new commandment of Jesus. I tried to love and care for the spiritual and physical wellbeing of my postulants and novices as well as I could. I begged Jesus to help me to love them as he did.
Then in 1981, some Sisters and I were asked to start a new Carmelite Monastery in West Malaysia. As I was very happy in the Singapore Carmel, I was reluctant to leave it. However, since it was God’s will, I agreed to go. Again as I look back, this trial proved to be a source of many great graces for me. Now I am very happy to be in this beautiful Monastery in Seremban. It seems to me now, that trials are like the paper wrappings of the gifts inside.
My golden Jubilee
We date our Jubilees not from the date of our entrance into Carmel, but from the date when we pronounce our first vows. As the date of my Golden Jubilee drew near, I resolved to celebrate it very quietly within my community. However this plan evaporated when my nephews urged me to celebrate it because it would be a very good occasion for our relatives to meet. My sister added that it would be a good occasion to thank the many people who had helped us to build this beautiful Monastery. So, I agreed to have a public celebration. However, I resolved to use it as an occasion to give glory to God and to help people to love Him more. It was with this intention that I chose the texts and hymns for the Mass, and that I produced two booklets and some leaflets that would help people to realize how good God is and how much he loves us. I chose Pope John Paul II’s words: “Dear Jesus present in the Eucharist, we are consoled that You remain with us. May we never stray far from You but stay by Your side to hear Your heart beat with love for us” for my souvenir card in order to help people to realize how much Jesus loves us.
The sky was bright and clear on the 2nd May 2009. At 11 am our Seremban Church choir began the Entrance Hymn and the Servers led the solemn procession into the Chapel. Soon the seats in the sanctuary were filled. Archbishop Murphy Pakiam concelebrated the Mass with Emeritus Archbishop Soter Fernandez and thirteen Priests. Someone estimated that there were about 700 people in the congregation made up of Brothers, Sisters, Secular Members of Carmel, relatives, friends, and benefactors. Michael, my nephew, and Valerie, my grand niece, read the First and Second Readings, and Stephanie, Valerie’s older sister, was the Commentator for the Mass. Archbishop Murphy Pakiam gave a good homily, and after it, I renewed my Vows. Theresa, my sister, and Lucy, my sister-in-law brought up the Offerings at the Offertory while Mui Mui, who was celebrating her Silver Jubilee as our Extern Helper, brought up a basket of flowers. At the end of the Mass I thanked everybody for their presence and for all they had done for us. Then Archbishop Pakiam thanked the Religious Brothers and Sisters for coming to show their solidarity. He also praised Brother Augustine Julian for organizing yearly trips to our Carmel so that we can be updated on what they are doing. My Carmelite Sisters then sang my favourite Hymn: Life’s weaving, and the celebrants solemnly processed out of the Chapel.
Our friend, Mrs. Alice Lim, had made two three tier cakes, one with silver trimmings for Mui Mui and one trimmed with gold for me. After the Mass, Archbishop Murphy Pakiam blessed the cakes and we cut them. Alice had also made 1000 delicious muffins beautifully decorated for distribution to the guests who were treated to a sumptuous lunch. In the meanwhile the guests thronged the parlours to see the Sisters. I was delighted to meet some of my school friends whom I had not seen for over 50 years. Many were happy to take home the booklets and leaflets and souvenir. Thanks be to God and to Jesus, my Bridegroom, who brought the day to a happy ending.
Jesus
Jesus, my love, how my heart longs for you
morning and evening and all the day through.
Stirrings so gentle yet lasting and true,
glimpse of Your love ever new.
Ah! All my longing is for me to be
living and moving and being in You.
Through You and with You and in You alone,
fullness of life here below.
Oh God so near and yet so far away
drawing me into Your own life each day;
Openess radiance of splendour Divine,
grace of Your Presence within.
Glimmer of plenitude life lived in love
when only You I believe, I adore,
prostrate before You surrender my life
yours, yours alone each new day.
Oh! when the day dawns to meet face to face,
Lord let Your gaze be of mercy and grace.
Words of salvation, delight and embrace,
enter to Life and to Love.
Joyously sing with the heavenly throng,
honour and glory and thanks evermore.
Beauty and splendour and brilliance of light.
Eternal blessing in love,
Eternal blessing in love.
Music by: Franz Lehar
Lyrics: Carmel Seremban
Accompanist: Miss Christine Tee
Recording Artist: Miss Christine Tee
Soloist: Carmel Seremban
Holy is His Name
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord
And my spirit exalts in God my Saviour.
For He has looked with mercy on my lowliness
And my name will be forever exalted.
For the mighty God has done great things for me
And His mercy will reach from age to age.
Refrain:
And holy, holy, holy is His name.
He has mercy in every generation
He has revealed His power and His glory.
He has cast down the mighty in their arrogance
And has lifted up the meek and the lowly.
He has come to help His servant Israel
He remembers His promise to our fathers.
Refrain:
And holy, holy, holy is His name.
Holy, holy, holy is His name.
Lyrics: John Michael Talbot
Choral Arrangement by Phil Perkins and Rick Modlin
Accompanist: Miss Christine Tee
Recording Artist: Miss Christine Tee.
Choir: Carmel Seremban
Let Me Bring Love
Lord make me an instrument of Thy peace.
Lord make me an instrument of Thy peace.
Where there is hatred Lord, let me sow love;
Where there is hatred Lord, let me sow love.
Where there is injury, Lord let me bring pardon.
Where there is doubt Lord, Lord let me bring Faith.
Where there is despair, let me bring Hope
Let me bring hope, let me bring hope.
Where there is darkness let me bring light.
Where there is sadness let me bring joy.
Where there is darkness let me bring light and
Where there is sadness, Joy.
O Divine Master, O Divine Master
Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled
as to console.
Not so much seek to be consoled as to console.
Lord let me understand rather than be understood
Lord let me understand rather than be understood
Rather than be loved Lord, let me give love.
Rather than be loved Lord, let me give love.
For it is in giving, we receive, in giving we receive.
It is in pardoning, we are pardoned,
in pardoning, we are pardoned.
And it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
We are born to Eternal Life.
Accompanist: Miss Christine Tee
Recording artist: Miss Christine Tee
Choir: Carmel Seremban
The Holy City
Last night I lay a-sleeping. There came a dream so fair,
I stood in old Jerusalem beside the temple there.
I heard the children singing, and ever as they sang,
Me-thought the voice of Angels from Heav’n in answer rang,
Me-thought the voice of Angels from Heav’n in answer rang.
Chorus:
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, lift up your gates and sing,
Hosanna in the highest, Hosanna to your King!
And then me-thought the scene was changed, the streets no longer rang,
Hushed were the glad hosannas the little children sang.
The sun grew dark with mystery, the morn was cold and chill,
As the shadow of a cross arose upon a lonely hill,
As the shadow of a cross arose upon a lonely hill.
Chorus:
And once again the scene was changed, new earth there seemed to be;
I saw the Holy City, beside the tide-less sea;
The Light of God was on its streets, the gates were open wide,
And all who would might enter, and no one was denied.
No need of moon or stars by night, or sun to shine by day,
It was the new Jerusalem that would not pass away,
It was the new Jerusalem that would not pass away.
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Sing for the night is o’er,
Hosanna in the highest, hosanna for evermore!
Hosanna in the highest, Hosanna for evermore!
Music by: Stephen Adams
Words by: Fred Weatherly
Accompanist: Miss Christine Tee
Recording artist: Miss Christine Tee
Choir: Carmel Seremban
Along the Road
Along the road of life I have a friend Divine
Who walks with me and gently leads the way;
He gives me joy and makes the darkest night to shine
It is my Lord who won my heart today.
Chorus:
I do not mind the rough and winding hard way,
Or mountain steep through valley dark and cold;
It is enough to know He travels by my side
Along the road that leads to streets of gold.
For many years I did not know His love so true
Until I heard how on the cross He died;
I trusted Him and He became my Saviour too
and since that day he’s journeyed by my side.
Chorus:
I do not mind the rough and winding hard way,
Or mountain steep through valley dark and cold;
It is enough to know He travels by my side
Along the road that leads to streets of gold.
Accompanist: Miss Christine Tee
Recording Artist: Miss Christine Tee
Choir: Carmel Seremban
Life’s weaving
Accompanist: Miss Christine Tee
Recording: Miss Christine Tee
My life is but a weaving between my God and me,
I may not choose the colours, He knows what they should be.
For He can view the pattern upon the upper side,
while I can see it only on this the under side.
Sometimes He weaveth sorrow, which seems so strange to me,
But I will trust His judgement, and work on faithfully;
Tis He who fills the shuttle, He knows just what is best,
So I shall weave in earnest and leave with Him the rest.
At last, when life is ended, with Him I shall abide.
Then I may view the pattern, upon the upper side.
Then I shall know the reason why pain with joy entwined,
Was woven in the fabric of life that God designed.
All is well (Julian of Norwich)
When our life on earth is ended,
and the last day of the world.
We shall all be gathered in the presence of our God.
And in the things which now are hidden,
Which we cannot understand,
We will then see clearly God’s loving, guiding hand.
Chorus:
None of us will say “If we had known these things,
there need not have been the pain.”
Instead there will be joy at the amazing love
In everything ordained.
And we’ll cry:
“Lord may You be blessed for all is well,
“Lord may You be blessed for all is well,
“Lord may You be blessed for all is well,
All is well forever!”
For in spite of all our pain and the sorrow we endure,
God is truly with us and His love forever sure.
It is His will that we should know
We are always in His care – God holds us in such love
We never need despair.
Chorus: (repeat)
“Lord may You be blessed for all is well,
“Lord may You be blessed for all is well,
“Lord may You be blessed for all is well,
All is well
Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Music: Traditional
Hail, O Lady of Mount Carmel
Proudly do our hearts recall
From the Church's ancient treasures
Comes the title dear to all
Chorus:
Dearest Lady of Mount Carmel
Souls of prayer we long to be
Intercede for us, we pray Thee
With the child upon Thy knee
Many saints Thy bless are sharing,
For to God their lives they vowed
On the Holy Mount of Carmel
Where Elias saw the cloud
Simon Stock received Thy promise
in the ages long ago,
Those who wear Thy holy habit
Cleansing fires scarce will know
At Thy call the great Teresa
scorned all earthly joys as dross
Smiled Thou on Therese of Jesus,
And inspired John of the Cross.
Roses
Lyrics: Carmel – Oklahoma
Music: Carmel of Jesus, Mary & Joseph, Seremban, West Malaysia.
From your bright place in heaven,
Therese where you now reign
Let fall a shower of roses,
Do not our prayer disdain
Fair roses tinged with glory,
Faith's light hope's glad desire.
Love's flame so strong yet tender
To set our hearts aflame.
Send too the rose of childhood
That trusting openness,
Which finds in every moment,
Our Father's will to bless.
We honor You Oh Jesus
Revealed to little ones,
With Father and blest Spirit
While course of ages runs.
Mission - St. Elijah
Lyrics: Carmel - Oklahoma
Music: Carmel of Jesus, Mary & Joseph,
Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, West Malaysia.
Today to Saint Elijah
We lift our hearts appeal
For graces of His worship
and courage of His zeal
Upon the slopes of Carmel
In solitary prayer,
He heard God's message whispered
Upon the gentle air.
In deeps of contemplation
He learned God's holy will;
And then went forth with ardor
His mission to fulfill.
He pleaded with His people
to place in God their trust
Denounced the wicked rules,
The faithless, the unjust
May we in other ages;
God's sacred laws avow;
And listening to His spirit
Fulfill our missions now.
To love our great Creator
His Son and Spirit heed;
and so to love each other
And live our Christian creed
Paul's Prayer to the Ephesians
(dedicated to all the beautiful people who have helped and who help us in countless ways.)
Refrain: May Christ dwell in your heart through faith; may love be the root of your life.
I kneel before the Father's heart and ask His gift of Love for you,
That you may be filled with the fullness of Christ, and strengthened with His power
I ask the fullness of His gifts, that you may fully grasp and know
the length and the breadth and the height of Christ, and surrender to His Love.
To Him whose pow'r is now at work, the One who does more than we ask or desire,
To Him be glory in the Church and in you, forever, Amen, amen.
Your Word is as a Lamp
Lyrics: Carmel - Quidenham
Music: Carmel of Jesus, Mary & Joseph, Seremban, West Malaysia.
St. Teresa of Avila: Teresa de Ahumada was born in 1515 in Avila, spain. When she was 20, she joined the Carmelite Monastry of the Incarnation where the Mitigated Rule was observed. She had a warm, attractive and vivacious personality which attracted many visitors to the Monastery.
After her ‘second conversion’ at the age of 39, Jesus became her “all”. The “Good Jesus” became her only guide, her sole companion and the source of all Truth. She felt the need of an environment where she could live a life of greater and deeper intimacy with Jesus for His Church. At His urging she founded the Monastery of St. Joseph where the Primitive Rule was observed. Subsequently she founded 16 more such monasteries before her death in 1582.
St. Teresa’s major writings are spiritual classics and she was declared the first woman Doctor of the Church in 1970.
Your Word is as a lamp
To light my feet along life’s way
A light no gloom or darkness can defeat,
But makes night day.
Oh Mother make our hearts
Aflame with yours,
Our spirits high,
Our faith a flame that soars.
Yours was a love that did not count
The cost nor seek reward.
That held all earthly fame and joy well lost
For Christ our Lord.
A burning zeal to quench that thirsting cry from Calvary’s height.
With Christ for souls to die
Teach us to die that only Christ
May live and reign alone.
Our hearts and minds our very selves to give,
To be His own.
The frail vase of our lives O may we break over our God.
All reckless for His sake.
Cantate Domino
Cantate Domino: Latin
Composer: G. Haendel
Chorus:
Cantate Domino conticum novum,
Cantata Omnis Terra Alleluia
Jubilate Deo, omnis terra, cantata et exultate et psal-li-te
Benedicite gentes Deum nostrum, date gloriam laudi laudi ejus
(English translation)
Chorus:
Sing to the Lord a new song
Sing all the earth, Alleluia
All the earth make demonstations of joy to God
Sing and rejoice exceedingly with a string of instruments
Nations bless our God'. Give glory, praise, praise Him
Bl Elizabeth's Prayer
Lyrics: Her own prayer arranged to music Carmel of Jesus, Mary & Joseph, Seremban, West Malaysia.
Music: Waltz in A Flat - J. Brahms
Oh my Blessed Three, Trinity Whom I adore;
I plead for self-forgetfulness that so many soul its calm retains.
Your peace in me, and I in You - Unchanging Lord this my plea:
Each moment swept into the depts of Your hidden mystery.
Oh calm my soul, make it Your heav'n, Your loved abode, Your place of rest
Oh there may I be wholly yielded to you!
Oh Beloved Christ, so crucified by love,
My one desire Your bride to be and cover You with glory Lord.
But yet I feel my frailty and ask You Lord identify my soul with all the movements of Your own soul.
Oh my Blessed Three Trinity whom I adore,
Possess, immerse me in Your self, adorn me with Your very self.
Adorer come, Redeemer come, O Saviour come, and this my prayer
That all my life to reflect Your own life Lord;
O Eternal Word, Beloved Star hold my gaze;
In darkness, void and powerlessness, O never let me leave You Lord.
Consuming Fire, Spirit of Love, O let the Word renew His Mystery in me
So Father sees His own Son.
Oh my Three my All, Trinity Whom I adore;
I give myself to you as prey so that consumed God may I be.
The Birth of Christ
Lyrics: St. John of the Cross
Music: Unknown
When the ancient dispensation its predestined course had run
Straight from out His bridal chamber came the Bridegroom, God the Son
Once on earth with arms extended He embraced His heavenly bride,
And His Blessed Mother laid Him in the manger at her side
All around that helpless baby animals were standing by;
Men sang songs of glad rejoicing, angels joined their song on high.
Celebrating the betrothal "twixt the Bridegroom and the bride
While the Almighty in the manger, as an infant wept and cried.
Gems these tears which human nature brought to the betrothal rite,
And the maid was lost in wonder as she witnessed such a sight.
Man was full of joy and gladness, God was weeping weak and lone;
Ne'er before throughout the ages had so strange a thing be known.
Ave Maria
Composer: Maria Parkinson
As I kneel before you, as I bow my head in prayer
Take this day make it yours and fill me with your love
Chorus:
Ave Maria, gratia plena
Dominus tecum, benedicta tu
All I have I give you, every dream and wish are yours
Mother of Christ, Mother of mine,
Present them to my Lord.
As I kneel before you and I see your smiling face
Every thought, every word is lost in your embrace.
My Beloved Passing Fair
My beloved passing fair.
Love has drawn your likeness see
In your inmost heart and there;
Lost or straying unaware;
You must seek yourself in Me.
Well I know that you shall find;
this your image im My heart,
Pictured to the life with art,
So amazing that your mind,
Sees your very counterpart.
If by chance you e'er shall doubt
where to turn in searh of Me;
Seek not all the world about;
Only this can find Me out,
You must seek Myself in you.
In the mansion of your mind is
My dwelling place and more,
There I wander unconfined,
Knocking loud if e'er I find
In your thought a closed door.
Search for Me without were vain,
Since when you have need of Me,
Only call Me, and again to your side
I haste a-main.
You must seek Myself in you.
Lyrics: St. Teresa of Avila (Tr. A. Stirling)
Music: Carmel of Jesus, Mary & Joseph, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, West Malaysia.
Poem by St. Teresa where she pictures god addressing a person, calling him/her ‘my Beloved’ and making it clear to us where we can find Him…..not outside of us but to look for Him within ourselves. “When you have need of Me, only call Me and to your side I haste; You must seek Me in you.”
Jesus - St. Albert
Jesus - St. Albert
Jesus and Jesus alone, the cry from St. Albert goes on.
Through centuries his voice is still heard,
Allegiance, allegiance to Christ.
A Rule you did hand us O Albert, to help us attain perfect love.
Ponder the law of the Lord, His word in your mouth day and night.
Struggle, we must all our lives, “Gainst sovereignties powers on high
Your strength will be in silence and hope, the Word of the Lord in your hearts.
For those who wish to be the greatest must first become servant and slave
Just as the Lord Himself came not to be served but to serve.
Lyrics & Music: Composed by Carmel of Jesus, Mary & Joseph,
Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, West Malaysia.