By Patricia Anthony
KEPONG, Kuala Lumpur – A group of 43 members from the Silver Liners Ministry for Seniors and Elderly at the Church of St Francis of Assisi, Cheras, went on an enriching pilgrimage to the Church of Jesus Caritas and the Tzu Chi Foundation headquarters in Jalan Kepong. The journey offered both spiritual reflection and interfaith appreciation, deepening their faith while fostering mutual understanding.
The one-day journey, themed Pilgrimage of Grace and Compassion, offered participants a profound encounter with interfaith values of charity and compassion, while deepening their own Christian mission to love and serve.
The pilgrimage began with a visit to the Tzu Chi Foundation, a Buddhist-based humanitarian organisation founded in 1966 by Taiwanese nun Dharma Master Cheng Yen. Deeply inspired by the charitable works of Catholic missionaries in Taiwan, Master Cheng Yen established Tzu Chi, meaning “Compassion Relief”, to serve all in need, regardless of race, religion, or background.
Pilgrims learned how Tzu Chi volunteers undergo two years of spiritual formation and hands-on training to serve with humility and selflessness. The foundation’s ethos — “Do charity, give donations, but do not leave footprints or names behind,” struck a chord with many Silver Liners, who were moved by testimonies of service among refugees, the homeless, and disaster victims.
“It’s heartbreaking to see how much they endure,” said one participant. “We must go all the way to care and give.” Another remarked, “It’s truly inspiring to witness such love in action.”
The second half of the pilgrimage brought the group to the Church of Jesus Caritas, where they were welcomed with generous hospitality and a warm community spirit. Following a shared lunch, pilgrims viewed a video presentation highlighting the church’s history, from its modest beginnings to its development as a vibrant parish.
A parishioner shared the moving story of St Maria Goretti, known for her purity, forgiveness, and unwavering faith in Christ — a reflection that led the group into a time of prayer and contemplation.
The pilgrims were guided through the church’s sacred art, including the prominent image of the Lamb of God behind the altar, symbolising Jesus’ sacrificial love. The visit concluded with a recitation of the Holy Rosary at the shrine of Our Lady and a quiet moment of Adoration, allowing pilgrims to rest in the presence of the Lord.
As the group returned home, hearts were full and spirits uplifted. The pilgrimage was not only a day of interfaith discovery and sacred reflection, but also a reaffirmation of the Christian call to live out faith through concrete acts of love and compassion.
“This journey reminded us that to serve the poor, the suffering, and the forgotten is to serve Christ Himself,” said one Silver Liner. “May we continue to be instruments of God’s mercy in the world.” Herald Malaysia
