By Marian Chua
SELANGOR – On the recent May 22 public holiday, parishioners of the Church of St Francis of Assisi (SFA) embarked on a pilgrimage to the Chapel of St Augustine in Titi. The trip, organised by SFA’s Silver Liners Ministry, was accompanied by parish priest Fr Paul Cheong, OFM Cap, and Fr Michael Teng, OFM Cap.
Fr Philip Tay, OCD, the chapel’s administrator, and some representatives from Visitation Parish, warmly welcomed the 88 pilgrims. In his introduction, Fr Philip recounted the history of the chapel, built in 1905 in a predominantly agricultural area with a community primarily composed of Hakka Chinese. Despite leading simple lives, this community has endured, although church attendance has dwindled, with most attendees now being elderly. Remarkably, this community has produced both a priest and a nun, a strong testament to their faith.
After the briefing, everyone prepared for Mass, which was celebrated by Fr Philip, with Frs Paul and Michael concelebrating. Following the Mass, the pilgrims explored the chapel, examining its unique features and taking numerous photos. They then enjoyed lunch at a local restaurant, renowned for its Hakka cuisine, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
Several participants were first-time pilgrims and appreciated that the trip was scheduled on a public holiday. Many others were regulars who consistently joined the Silver Liners’ pilgrimages. The visit to this remote chapel in Negeri Sembilan left many feeling blessed. All unanimously agreed that they had a wonderful time and looked forward to future pilgrimages. – Herald Malaysia
