By Bernard Anthony
MELAKA – The Church of St Francis Xavier (SFX), commemorated the 480th anniversary of St Francis Xavier’s first arrival in Malacca with a two-day celebration on Sep 24 and 25, drawing some 1,700 faithful to St Paul’s Hill (now known as Bukit Melaka).
The highlight of the celebrations was a series of Masses held at the ruins of St Paul’s Church, where the great missionary once prayed, preached, and ministered.
On the first day, Sep 24, three Masses were celebrated (English at 6.00pm, Tamil at 7.45pm and Mandarin at 8.45pm).
Preaching at the Mass in Tamil, Fr Devadasan Madala Muthu reflected on the missionary zeal of St Francis Xavier, urging the faithful to emulate his example by courageously proclaiming the Good News. He drew from Matthew 16:26, reminding all that no worldly gain can compare with the value of one’s soul.
The Litany of St Francis Xavier was recited at all the Masses. The faithful were also given the privilege of venerating his first-class relics.
On Sep 25, Bishop Bernard Paul presided at the 9.00am English Mass, concelebrated by Frs Moses Rayappan; Devadasan; Michael Goh; Paul Dass SJ; Adrian Francis and Alexuchelvam. More than 500 faithful attended, including 40 Catholic servicemen from Kem Terendak, Melaka.
Bishop Bernard welcomed the faithful and, at the start of Mass, spoke briefly about the relic of St Francis Xavier — a holy man of God who walked the streets of Melaka several times and was temporarily buried here for nine months. “This is holy ground,” he reminded the congregation.
In his homily, delivered in English and briefly in Bahasa Malaysia, the prelate recalled St Francis Xavier’s first arrival at Melaka harbour, which served as a transit point for his missionary journeys to the Far East from 1545 to 1552. He described the scene: “Arriving by boat at the exotic harbour, a weary yet determined man stepped ashore amid the smell of spices, the narrow streets, and the bustling crowds. The people came to know him by another name — ‘The Great Father’.”
Bishop Bernard noted that Francis Xavier declined official offers of lodging and instead chose to live in a hospital, close to the sick and the poor. There, he ministered to the people, administered the sacraments, and offered them the hope of Christ. “He came to remove the veil of mourning, to take away shame, and to bring hope,” the bishop said.
Like St Paul, Francis Xavier drew people to Christ and to the Church, proclaiming the God of hope. Through his letters from India, Melaka, and beyond, he wrote of the people’s struggles, their needs, and his missionary efforts. Despite language barriers, he taught children the faith, translated the catechism into local languages, and baptised many. He also encouraged other missionaries to continue the mission, even as he prepared for his future journey to Japan.
The bishop described Francis Xavier as a “purposeful missionary,” a man whose every step was guided by intention. “He walked on this very hill. This place is holy. When you walk these pathways, reflect on the past and connect with it — because you too have a mission. It is not just St Francis Xavier’s mission. To accomplish greater things for God, we too must be relieved, re-energised, rekindled, and remembering.”
He concluded by inviting the faithful to seek the saint’s intercession, that they too may become true missionaries of the Gospel.
The faithful joined in the Prayer of the Faithful, asking for the saint’s intercession so that the Church may continue to grow in missionary zeal. Before the ‘Our Father,’ Bishop Bernard encouraged all to become “missionaries of love and hope to others,” echoing the heart of St Francis Xavier’s mission.
After Mass, parish priest of SFX Melaka, Fr Moses Rayappan, announced that in commemoration of the 480th anniversary of St Francis Xavier’s arrival in Melaka, souvenirs in the form of fridge magnets would be distributed to all present. He also warmly acknowledged the participation of Catholic members from Kem Terendak, who joined in the celebration of this historic occasion.
Fr Moses went on to thank the faithful for their presence — “friends and people of God” — and expressed his gratitude to all who had contributed to the preparation of the anniversary Masses over the two days. He also extended special thanks to Bishop Bernard and the priests who concelebrated. Concluding his remarks, he said, “Rejoice, as you return home with the graces of God.”
St Francis Xavier, also known as “The Apostle of the East,” first arrived in Melaka on September 25, 1545, at the age of 39. He made the chapel on St Paul’s Hill a base for his missionary journeys to Japan and China, ministering to the sick and teaching the faith to children. After his death in 1552 in China, his incorrupt body was temporarily buried in Melaka before being transferred to Goa, India, where it rests today. He was canonised in 1622.
The celebrations in Melaka not only honoured his historical arrival but also renewed the call for Catholics to live out the missionary spirit of St Francis Xavier in today’s world. – Herald Malaysia
