Gading chapel celebrates feast of St Martin de Porres

The modest Chapel of St Martin de Porres in Gading celebrated its 36th anniversary and feast of it's patron saint from November 7 to 10.

Nov 22, 2024

Pilgrims praying before the statue of St Martin de Porres.


Bernard Anthony
The modest Chapel of St Martin de Porres in Gading celebrated its 36th anniversary and feast of it's patron saint from November 7 to 10.

Deacon Anthony Chua preached on the theme Celebrating, Listening, and Walking Together, focusing on the Family, Church and Ecology. Fr Joseph Heng and Fr Neville Arul Sinnappah took turns to celebrate the daily Masses.

The grand celebration culminated on Sunday, November 10 where some 400 parishioners and faithful from near and far converged for the 3.00pm Divine Mercy Chaplet and 3.30pm Mass in Bahasa Malaysia.

Fr Albet Arockiasamy from Tampin, Negeri Sembilan was the main celebrant and preacher. Fr Joseph, the parish priest of the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Krubong and his assistant, Fr Neville, were the concelebrants.

In his homily, Fr Albet spoke about the challenge of giving our best to Christ and others. He reflected on how Jesus teaches us to love and forgive, even when the world encourages revenge. He reminded the congregation that forgiveness is a key part of the Christian life, and how, by loving others as ourselves, we follow Christ’s example. He also emphasised that to truly love God and neighbour, we must become the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world,” as St Martin de Porres exemplified in his life.

Fr Albet also shared the story of St Martin's difficult upbringing and his eventual acceptance into the Dominican Order, despite the challenges he faced. St Martin’s life was marked by humility, service, and love for others, especially the poor and marginalised. He showed that even in difficult circumstances, we can use our talents and gifts to bring God’s love to others.

The priest also reflected on the recent Peninsular Malaysia Regional Pastoral Assembly 2024 at the Majodi Centre, which focused on the four key areas of Family, Church, Ecology, and Society. He encouraged the faithful to pray together as a family, to read the Word of God daily, and to care for the environment. He reminded them that the Church calls us to extend our love and care to those in need, including the poor, and to build relationships with people of all faiths. St. Martin, through his works of charity and mercy, became a living example of how we, too, are called to serve others and walk together as a synodal Church.

Following Mass, Damian Loo, the Chapel’s chairperson, expressed gratitude to the priests and Deacon Anthony for their participation and contributions to the feast. He also thanked all the lay leaders and volunteers who helped prepare for the celebration, from setting up tents to providing food for the fellowship meal. “We walk together in unity,” he said, echoing the theme of the celebrations.

Chapel Administrator, Fr Joseph, thanked Fr Albet for his insightful preaching and his presence at the chapel, as well as Deacon Chua for his reflections over the previous nights. He also introduced the chairpersons of the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) and Parish Coordinating Council (PCC), and thanked God for the beautiful weather. He then invited all for a fellowship meal.

The statue of St Martin situated outside the chapel was blessed by Fr Albet before all adjourned for the fellowship meal held on the chapel grounds.

The chapel is just a short drive from Durian Tunggal town and is surrounded by several local Baba Nyonya Catholic homes. Mass is held at the Chapel once a month.

St Martin de Porres, often depicted as a young, mixed-race man wearing the habit of a Dominican lay brother, is the patron saint of those of mixed race and of professions such as innkeepers, barbers, and public health workers. His life continues to inspire many to follow Christ’s example of love, service, and mercy.

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