In the early 1960s, the Rt. Rev. Bishop Anthony Galvin visited the Carmelite Monastery of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Kuching and expressed his desire to establish another Carmelite monastery in Miri, then part of his vicariate. Sadly, before his vision could be realized, Bishop Galvin died unexpectedly of a heart attack in September 1976.

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On 1 July 1981, his successor, the Rt. Rev. Bishop Anthony Lee Kok Hin, revived the project by sending an official invitation to the Prioress of the Kuching Carmel, requesting the establishment of a new foundation in Miri. This marked the beginning of several years of prayer, discernment, discussions, and correspondence regarding the timing and practical arrangements for the new monastery.

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Eventually, Bishop Anthony proposed 23 May 1985 as the date for the nuns' departure. On that day, the first group of nuns, led by Mother Margarita of Jesus, a Spanish Carmelite, together with four nuns, left their beloved community in Kuching to establish the new Carmel in Miri. Their departure was a deeply emotional moment, both for those who were sent and for the nuns who remained behind. A few weeks later, a second group of three nuns joined the foundation after recovering from influenza, which had prevented them from travelling with the first group.

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While the new monastery was under construction, the nuns resided in a temporary house located only a short distance from the building site. The foundation stone was solemnly blessed on 15 August 1985. After approximately one year of construction, both the monastery and its chapel were completed, and the nuns joyfully took up residence in their new home.

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The solemn consecration of the monastery and chapel took place on 6 June 1986. The liturgy was presided over by Bishop Anthony Lee Kok Hin, with eight priests concelebrating. Approximately one thousand faithful attended the joyful celebration, marking the official beginning of the Carmelite contemplative presence in Miri.

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Daily Mass (Monday to Saturday): 6.15 am (English)

Sunday Mass: 7.00 am (English)

 

For vocation enquiries, please email: carmelmiri2@gmail. com

 

Postal address: 

Carmelite Monastery of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Brighton Road, P. O. Box 108, 98000 Miri.