The Rector of St Martin Parish, Fr. Sylvester Ding presented the Liber Baptismalis which recorded the First Baptism in Lawas on 27th October 1911. The late Fr. Anthony Wan was baptised in Lawas on 18th June 1950. He was ordained Priest in 1978.
The Feast Day of St Martin and 100 years Anniversary of First Baptism celebration started with an Eucharistic celebration followed by lunch outside St Martin's Church compound and entertainment performed by the parish Bible Class children, the church choir and the youth working group.
On Saturday November 2nd, Right Reverend Bishop Richard Ng and Fr. Sylvester Ding celebrated sunset Mass with some 160 parishioners majority Timorese at Gereja St Joseph situated at Siang Siang Sawmill, Jalan Trusan, Batu 7. The chapel is 13.5 km away from St Martin's Church, Lawas.
Background of St Martin de Porres -
On November 3rd the Catholic Church celebrates the feast day of St Martin de Porres.
Juan Martin de Porres was born in Lima, Peru in 1579. He was raised in poverty. His father was a spanish gentleman and his mother was a black former slave from Panama. Martin wished to be a missionary. When he was twelve years, he served as an apprentice to a barber/surgeon. He learned not only to cut hair, but how to draw blood.
Martin applied to the Dominican Order to be a"lay helper". He felt he was unworthy to become a religious brother. After nine years, the community requested that he make a full religious profession. He then became a Dominican Brother. Martin led a daily life of prayer and penitential practices.
St Martin was instrumental in founding an orphanage and took care of slaves. He worked daily in the kitchen, laundry and infirmary. A formidable fundraiser, he obtained thousands of dollars for dowries of poor girls so that they could marry, or enter a convent.
Martin was a spiritual director to many of his fellow religious brothers. He was also a good friend to a fellow Dominican, St Rose of Lima.
St Martin was given extraordinary gifts from the Holy Spirit. His ecstasies lifted him into the air, light filled the room where he prayed, instantaneous cures were common and he was known for a remarkable repore with animals.
Feast Day of Saint Martin and 100 Years Anniversary First Baptism in Lawas
St Martin's Church, Lawas
The Liber Baptismalis which recorded the First Baptism in Lawas on 27th October 1911
Feast Day of St Martin 3rd November at St Martin's Church, Lawas
Celebration continues with entertainment performed by parishioners
