A divine start to Lent at Church of Our Lady of Lourdes Klang

Mar 22, 2025

KLANG: The season of Lent at the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes (OLL) commenced with an evening of reflection and sacred music on March 8. The parishioners gathered in reverence as the church hosted a spiritually uplifting Lenten cantata, marking the beginning of a holy season dedicated to prayer, penance, and preparation for the joy of Easter.

The Broadway Academy Christian Fellowship Choir, under the masterful direction of Dr Casey Broadway, joined hands with the OLL Choir, featuring singers from the English, Bahasa, and Tamil congregations. Together, they delivered a moving performance of The Power of the Cross, a sacred Lenten cantata composed by the renowned Mark Hayes. The collaboration between these talented choirs brought a unique and unifying spirit to the evening, reflecting the universal message of Lent that transcends languages and cultures.

The cantata was more than just a musical performance; it was a meditative journey. The program interwove scripture readings recounting the final days of Christ’s life — His passion, death, and resurrection — with powerful hymns that resonated deeply with the congregation. Selections such as Hosanna, Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross, Lamb of God, and the title piece The Power of the Cross were performed with heartfelt emotion and technical precision, drawing listeners into an atmosphere of solemn contemplation and worship.

Each hymn and reading was carefully chosen to guide the faithful through Jesus’ 40 days in the desert and His ultimate sacrifice on the cross. The reflective nature of the evening invited everyone present to look inward, to embrace the Lenten pillars of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, and to renew their spiritual commitment during this sacred time.

The Gospel readings, narrating Christ’s journey during the Holy Week, enriched the experience further, offering a powerful reminder of the events that lie at the heart of the Christian faith.

The evening concluded with a sense of communal unity and spiritual renewal. It was a heartfelt celebration of God’s mercy and grace, reminding all present that Lent is not merely a time of sacrifice but also of hope and transformation. As the congregation departed in reverent silence, there was a shared sense of readiness to embark on the Lenten journey, inspired by the love of Christ, His triumph over death, and the promise of eternal life. Arvin Ross Alexander