Pope’s first anniversary celebrated

The first anniversary of the Pontificate of His Holiness Pope Francis was celebrated in St John’s Cathedral with Mass on Mar 16. Some 2,700 Catholics from far and near converged, including several ambassadors and VIPs.

Apr 02, 2014

By Bernard Anthony
The first anniversary of the Pontificate of His Holiness Pope Francis was celebrated in St John’s Cathedral with Mass on Mar 16. Some 2,700 Catholics from far and near converged, including several ambassadors and VIPs.

H.E. Archbishop Joseph Marino, the Apostolic Nuncio to Malaysia presided at the Mass, concelebrated with President of the Bishops’ Conference Archbishop John Ha of Kuching and Archbishop Emeritus Murphy Pakiam. Others present were Msgr Marek Zalewski the Charge D’ Affaires of the Apostolic Nunciature, Archbishop Emeritus Anthony Soter Fenandez, Bishop Emeritus James Chan, Msgr Rodrigo Bilbao from Timor Leste, Fr Peter Bretaudeau MEP and Fr Peter Kim SJ.

Before the Introductory Rites, Archbishop Marino welcomed all, including the diplomatic corps and Archbishop John Ha, the President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Malaysia.

The Nuncio proclaimed the Gospel (Matthew 17:1-9). In his homily, he said ten days had passed since we began our journey of Lent. The Church recalled the forty days Jesus stayed in the desert which has sacred meaning in the Scriptures. Archbishop Marino said it is when we are in the ‘desert’, that we are challenged to realize this world is not our final home. Then we are faced with reality. We can suffer from want of food and water. We realise that fighting alone, we cannot live. It is then that we have to make a decision as to who can save us from death. The Nuncio told the assembly that only God can save us.

“Today’s Gospel gives us another dimension of our faith — the Transfiguration of Jesus when God transformed and revealed Him as the Beloved Son of God.” The Nuncio remarked this appears contradictory; the desert with suffering and death and the transfiguration to new life. Both Gospel passages teach us that these two dimensions are not opposed. From selfishness to self-giving and life-giving, we pass from death to life. There is only one way: to listen to the Word of God that Jesus teaches us.

He said we are also celebrating the first anniversaty of the election of Pope Francis. We cannot forget that the first request he made was for the Universal Church to pray for him.

Archbishop Marino added that the Pope is not a ‘superman’ but a normal man who needs the prayers and support of his people. Much attention has been given to the first year of his pontificate. Pope Francis called on the entire Church not just priests and religious, but also the laity to deep reflection and conversion to return to what is most essential to be a Christian.

“In Nov 2013, Pope Francis wrote Joy of the Gospel. He defined what is essential for the Church: to announce the Gospel message to others. If we succeed in expressing the beauty of the Gospel, this message can and will speak to most deserving hearts,” the Nuncio exclaimed. The Church must be a place of mercy for everyone; all can then feel the love, joy and mercy of God.

Everyone in this Church has been touched by God by our baptism. In some mysterious ways, the Gospel calls us to stand and say ‘Yes, we need You because it is only God who can save us.’ We need to bring the same love and mercy of the Gospel to others. God has been patient with us; we too must be patient with others. The Nuncio repeated that we pray especially for our Holy Father Pope Francis, who is leading the Church, the Church of love and mercy.

The Nuncio then thanked all for coming to pray for Pope Francis.

After Mass, Archbishop Marino imparted the Blessing of the Holy Father to all present.

Archbishop John Ha on behalf of our Church, congratulated Pope Francis on his anniversary. The prelate added our love and prayers for the Pontiff to continue leading the Church in the way God wants.

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