Walking in the light of St Theresa

The Church of St Theresa, the Pilgrim Church for the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur in the Extraordinary Missionary Year has seen thousands of pilgrims from far and near converging for their pilgrimages since early this year to nourish the ardour of the evangelising activity of the Church Ad Gentes (To The Nations).

Oct 05, 2019

By Bernard Anthony
The Church of St Theresa, the Pilgrim Church for the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur in the Extraordinary Missionary Year has seen thousands of pilgrims from far and near converging for their pilgrimages since early this year to nourish the ardour of the evangelising activity of the Church Ad Gentes (To The Nations).

Fr Eugene Benedict the parish priest and his team have been welcoming individuals, families and church groups, especially on weekends and public holidays.

On Sept 14, a busload of pilgrims from Kuala Lumpur arrived. They were welcomed. Some had brought items for recycling as an expression of their commitment to care for the environment. As at June 30, 2019 the parish had collected some 1,947kg of discarded materials such as papers, cartons, plastic and tins for recycling, a campaign to protect our common home.

There was a simple welcome by Fr Eugene at the main porch before the statue of St Theresa at the foot of the Cross, followed  by a short introduction of the parish and prayer.

Fr Eugene spoke on the Epiphany Star and its four dimensions — Encounter with Jesus, Missionary Formation, Testimony of Mission and Missionary Charity. Fr Eugene then led the pilgrims in “Walking in the light of St Theresa’s life journey.” There were reflections on the family life of St Therese of Lisieux, the Little Flower (as she is also known). Fr Eugene spoke about St Theresa’s parents (St Louis and St Marie Zilie) and siblings and her background. He quoted the saint in her biography who said “All of my life I have been surrounded by love. My mission is to love. Jesus has given me a grace to pray for others, even the hardened souls. What her parents had done nurtured her in faith,” said Fr Eugene, who added she is the Patroness of the Mission, although she had never left the convent. He asked the pilgrims to ask St Theresa to show them the little ways  to be like Jesus. He then focused on Jesus on the Cross, His five wounds and with being soaked in the love of Jesus.

“The family of St Theresa spent a lot of time at the dinner table hearing stories of Jesus and the saints. They experienced so much love, to last a life time. Today we don’t seem to have time for one another at the dinner table. We need to reclaimand make a sacrifice to have time to be with our family.” Fr Eugene then invited the pilgrims to reflect on their family and to pray for them.

Leading the pilgrims up to the ruins of St Theresa’s Church, Fr Eugene shared how the church which had been built in 1935 was razed in a fire in 2012. At this station, he talked about St Theresa suffering through sickness. There was  a picture of St Theresa on her death bed as she suffered dreadfully with tuberculosis, before dying at the age  of 24. St Theresa entered the convent at aged 14. “Pray for those having heavy burdens and those who are sick that we know.” 

After praying the Novena Rose Prayer, all adjourned to the Church inside the St Theresa Pastoral Centre. A brief meditation and reflection was given by Fr Eugene, before Mass was celebrated.

Later all adjourned for lunch and fellowship, before departing back home.

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