By Leon Gautier
KUCHING — The Salib launched at the Malaysian Catholic Youth Day (Mar 31 to Apr 6 2024) in Kota Kinabalu, arrived at the gates of St Peter’s College (SPC) Major Seminary, Kuching on Apr 9 2025 after being handed over by the Sisters of St Francis Sarawak (SSFS). The Salib remained with SPC for five days.
Prior to that, on the Saturday before, all the seminarians attended a briefing on the Salib and how to assemble and disassemble it. When the seminarians return to their respective dioceses, they may come across the Salib in their own attached parishes. The Salib was officially welcomed into the seminary with the celebration of Vespers (Evening Prayer) with the Salib (Cross) being brought in procession and placed by the altar at the seminary’s chapel.
During the weekly Way of the Cross on Friday, a service of the veneration of the Salib was held. During the service presided by the rector of SPC, Rev Fr Patrick Heng, he reminded all present that the Cross is a sign of God’s love for us, and as aspiring priests, each seminarian is called to carry his own cross imitating Jesus. St Paul’s letter to the Philippians 2:5-11 was read which reminded us of Jesus’ sacrifice and free choice from divinity to humanity, and that he who ‘humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross’. The Way of the Cross and the Veneration of the Salib followed thereafter.
Each seminarian together with His Grace Archbishop Emeritus John Ha and Fr Patrick, approached the Salib individually to venerate the Salib and prayed before it.
The Salib was handed over to St Joseph’s Cathedral during the Palm Sunday procession. The service was led by His Grace Archbishop Simon Poh who blessed the Cross; the youths of the Parish carried the Salib (Cross) in the procession to the Cathedral.
On 19 April, Holy Saturday, the Salib was once again brought in procession from the Seminary to the Church of the Holy Trinity (HTC), Kenyalang. The 4km walk with the Salib was part of the Seminary’s Lenten Activity where each person took turns to carry the Salib along the journey, proceeded thereafter by Lauds at the Church.
In light of the Salib, Charles Boromeo (1st Year Theology student) from the Diocese of Sibu reflects that the Salib is a sign of hope which just doesn’t unravel suffering, but it also shows the joy of the resurrection, the love that saves, and the eternal bliss with Jesus.
Mejoery Simon, also a first-year student from the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu, sees walking with others during the walk to HTC, carrying the Salib, as a shared mission among one another, to support one another, to live the Gospel, and to follow Christ wherever He leads.
Mark Calady (2nd Year Theology student) from the Diocese of Penang reflected on the walk to HTC as a journey symbolising Jesus’ journey to His crucifixion; our Lord’s suffering and sacrifice opened the path to redemption for all of humanity.
While Vincent Suseh (2nd Year Theology student) from the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur mentions that even with his own temptations, rejection of his own cross, yet the Cross of Christ shows Jesus’ sacrifice which takes all that pain, guilt, and worry away; for the Cross can transform all those into victory and hope.
Finally, from the 5th Year Theology students. Addie Frank from the Archdiocese of Kuching says the veneration of the Salib reminds him that discipleship is embracing the Cross, surrendering in faith, walking in love, and trusting Christ’s mercy in every trial.
Joel Markus from the Diocese of Miri recalls the mini ‘Camino’ walk with the Salib was meaningful and powerful for him. It showed him how each step along the road reflected Christ’s love, and how it calls all of us to walk with Him every day with our own crosses. – Today’s Catholic
