Be Praised, Most High Glorious God

For the Journey… the Dream and A Celebration of Life… Justin Lim, ofm

Dear Friends,
Greetings of Peace
I am local, Chinese and I’m Singaporean.
Many people who see me around in church or seminary or down at the market would
often ask “Where are you from?” At times, I was most tempted to just say I’m from
Sabah, Indonesia or Philippines etc.

Most people do not know me or are just beginning to notice me around in Church these
couple of years since the student community moved from our chestnut drive premises
back to the Friar’s property in Bukit Batok. That is perhaps I’ve always been a more
private and quiet person.

I take this opportunity therefore to tell you some things you might be interested to know
about me and at the same time share various significant moments of my life (my vocation
story) … when God spoke … and I listened … reflected … wrote it down… kept it in my
heart and pondered over them…

I am currently doing my 3rd year theology with my brothers William and Derrick at St
Francis Major Seminary. We have already completed 2 years of philosophical studies and
of the four years of theological studies, we have a year and a half or more to go.

I come from the parish of Christ the King. I believe many will not know me except for
the former parish priests and secretary, my friends from the youth group, young adult
group and some long serving members of the church. It has been many years since I was
involved in the parish.

The beginnings…
It all started from the Parish of Holy Spirit where I was baptized at the age of eight and
had my confirmed at Christ the King. I was rather active in the youth group and later in
the young adults group however 1993 was the first time I ever thought of wanting to
serve the Lord. So I wrote to my uncle in the seminary to ask for advice and he wrote
back …
Happy is the man who is contented to be just a man – the true man that is.
It is more important to live a good and loving life than to be somebody
We are all unique and have different functions in life.
There is no need to think that we are lesser than others or greater than others.
It is nice to be important but it more important to be nice.
Once you allow Jesus to live in you, you will arrive at a stage when you need not fear
death (physical or psychological) or life. You will be able to experience God present at
every moment in your life. When the time comes, the peace and serenity that you are
looking for would not be just a temporary affair but will last as long as you are
recollected in his presence. – W.Goh
(I saw him for a couple of times discerning if I had a vocation and joining the seminary
but in 1994, I decided to further my studies and I told myself to keep the option
open three years later… but it took me longer than that…)
1999 – 2001
Years later, while working, the door opens again and I began to search for “Life in
Simplicity” and started to pursue some of my interests like working on my webpage
“NaturesCreation”; writing short stories, photography and also started a blog. I was also
an avid canoeist and went out to sea almost every weekend and also night island cycling.
That was also the time when I started to come for evening mass at St Mary of the Angels
and that is when the Lord stirred my heart once again and I heard…

”Who would you serve? If it be the Master then return…”

So I responded to the “afternoon with friars” session and continued to journey with JP
Tan who was Vocation Director and attended retreats conducted by Michael Goh at the
Jurong West Porziuncula Friary. I realized that God perhaps had a plan for me and that I
was called to be a Friar for many things and events seem to point me to the direction of
St Francis.

2002
I began my Postulancy at San Damiano Friary, Chestnut Drive.

2003
I did my Novitiate with William, Derrick and Colin in Maryfields Friary, Campbelltown,
Sydney.

2004
I returned to Singapore and took my simple vows with the rest.

2005
San Damiano Friary, Chestnut relocates to the Friar’s property at Bukit Batok. Clifford
Augustine took over as student formator. That year I went for a one month exposure
program to East and West Timor.

2006
I did one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) at Mt Alvernia Hospital.

2007
I did my 30 days retreat with my two other brothers under Br Michael Goh in Assisi and
Rome in December.

2008
I applied for solemn vows and was accepted by the council and our Provincial Minister
Paul Smith.