On Wednesday, 21st January 2026, at the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Kulim, Kedah, the People of God in the Diocese of Penang gathered to witness and participate in the ‘Rite of Public Profession of the Evangelical Counsels of Sister Murna of the Eucharistic Bride of Christ, newly professed as a Diocesan Hermit. The Mass was presided over by Cardinal Sebastian Francis, Bishop of Penang, and concelebrated by Msgr. Henry Rajoo, Rev. Fr Desmond Jansen, (Parish Priest), Rev. Fr. Edmund Woon – Bishop’s Delegate for the Vocation of Hermits and Rev. Deacon Dave Kameron.
Choosing this individual form of consecrated life, Sister Murna has devoted herself entirely to the Praise of God and Salvation of the World. The Bishop of Penang has received her public profession of the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience. Sister Murna will live a life of assiduous prayer, penance and silence of solitude, withdrawn from the world with an approved Personal Plan of Life as a hermit under the Diocesan Bishop.
The liturgy was rich in symbolism. The Responsorial Psalm proclaimed: “My Soul is Thirsting for You, O Lord My God” a fitting prayer for one dedicating her life to solitude, prayer and union with Christ. The Gospel Reading from John 21:15-17 recalled Jesus’ words with Simon Peter: “Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these”.
Cardinal Sebastian in his homily reflected deeply on this question of love, emphasizing the word “More”. He reminded the faithful that Our Lord Jesus’ words: “Do you love Me more than these?” is not only directed to Peter but echoes in the heart of every disciple. The vocation of a diocesan hermit points to this ‘more’ - the more love, the more agape, is about the primacy of God: God the Holy Father, God the Holy Son and God the Holy Spirit.
Cardinal Sebastian emphasized that this more, is very simple, and transcends psychology, sociology, science, technology, social media, and AI algorithms, beyond any of our opinions. For Sister Murna, this profession as a hermit is her response to that very question of do you love Me more than these - Murna of the Eucharistic Bride of Christ, response is a wholeheartedly “YES” to loving Christ above all else.
With this profession, Sister Murna becomes the 3rd Hermit in the Diocese of Penang, following the late Sister Mary of the Will of Jesus and Sister Maryanne of the Cross. Cardinal Sebastian gave an analogy to understand the role of diocesan hermits, saying, “The diocesan hermits are like little toes of the human body, essential for balance when walking”.
Sister Murna expressed heartfelt gratitude to her father, Savaridas A/L Rajindran and remembered her beloved late mother, Agnes A/P Paul Christy Michael who nurtured her gift of faith from childhood. She recalled holding a crucifix at age six whenever she felt afraid and experienced the loving presence of Jesus in the Eucharist at her First Holy Communion. She also offered heartfelt thanks to Cardinal Sebastian Francis, her family, Clergy, Religious and faith sharers whose prayers and witness, blessed her vocation journey.
Sister Murna’s faith journey began 27 years ago, inspired by Hosea 3:3 “Many days you shall wait for me, I in turn will wait for you”. This became Yesua Jesus Christ personal call to her. The days became 27 years, and with guidance of the late Sister Mary of the Cross and Sister Maryanne of the Will of Jesus that Sister Murna finally embraced her vocation.
Sister Murna shared: “Though I pray in solitude, I am praying in solidarity with the Church and in communion with the angels and saints. I rely on the letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians 6:11 - Put on the Armour of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil”. I rely on God’s armour to defeat the evil. I do this by frequent participation in Holy Eucharist, spending time in prayer with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, reflecting on the Holy Scriptures and daily devotion to the Holy Rosary. Please continue to pray for me and I will keep all of you in my prayers. God Bless”.
Rev. Fr Desmond highlighted the joy of the day, noting that 25 years earlier, Msgr. Henry Rajoo, Vicar-General, a son of the parish, was ordained to the priesthood, and now a daughter of the parish, Sister Murna, has been consecrated as a Hermit. “Thank you, Sister Murna, for saying yes to Jesus”. As a Hermit of the Diocese of Penang, Sister Murna’s vocation will bring special blessings to the parish. A petition box will be placed at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Kulim, allowing the faithful and pilgrims to entrust their intentions for her prayer.
After the final blessing, there was the ceremony of ‘Leave Taking’ when Sister Margarete Sta Maria FdCC, placed the crown of flowers and Cardinal Sebastian handed the pilgrim staff to Sister Murna. Cardinal Sebastian and Sister Maryanne of the Cross then accompanied Sister Murna down the aisle to the entrance, where she immediately took leave, symbolizing her new life of solitude and prayer. Sister Murna of the Eucharistic Bride of Jesus now withdraws from the world yet remains profoundly united with the Church.
By Christopher Kushi
