The land of hornbills and fertile rainforests, flourishing with flora and fauna and inhabited by multiple races and ethnic groups — this is SARAWAK, a land of singular beauty. It is here, in our Carmel’s history, that Sarawak first welcomed the Carmelite nuns from Jesselton (now Kota Kinabalu, Sabah), who had been invited by the Prefect Apostolic of Sarawak, Msgr. Aloysius Hopfgartner, MHM, to make their first foundation along Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg, Kuching, now situated between Saberkas and Kozi Square Condominium (Regatta).

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Led by Mother Margaret Mary of Jesus, a Spanish Carmelite from the Carmel of St. Teresa, Madrid, together with seven Carmelite nuns from Jesselton, these devoted nuns ventured into this mission land, once known as the land of the headhunters, to spread the fire of love for their Lord Jesus Christ. They departed from Jesselton on 5 December 1948 and arrived at Kuching Wharf on 10 December 1948, where they were received by the Sisters of St. Francis at St. Teresa's Convent, remaining there from 10 to 18 December 1948.

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The fervent words of Msgr. Hopfgartner to the nuns: “Sisters, go forward in grace and increase this interior life… This is but the beginning…” would mark the inauguration of the Carmelite Monastery of the Immaculate Heart of Mary on 19 December 1948.

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From the very beginning of their foundation, the nuns have supported the local Church by providing fresh altar breads for the Archdiocese of Kuching and the Diocese of Sibu. Guided by the conviction that "Prayer can do all things," they unite themselves with the Lord Jesus Christ in daily Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours, prayed seven times each day in continuous, unceasing intercession for the land of Sarawak, for Malaysia, and for the salvation and sanctification of the world. Under the patronage of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, sustained by the blessings of God, the prayers of their Bishop, and the generous support of their benefactors, the Carmelite Nuns of Kuching joyfully celebrated their 75th Diamond Jubilee on 19 December 2023.

 

Daily Mass (Monday to Saturday): 7.00 am (English)

Sunday Mass: 8.00 am (English)

 

For vocation enquiries, please email: carmelkuching118@gmail.com 

 

Postal address: 

Mother Prioress

Carmelite Monastery of the Immaculate Heart of Mary 

No. 118, Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg,

93000 Kuching, Sarawak.