Journey together with hope on our pilgrimage

Feb 14, 2025

Bernard Anthony
The 2025 Jubilee Year invites all Catholics to become Pilgrims of Hope, walking step by step in the footsteps of Jesus Christ and sharing the Christian hope with others.

As part of this special year of grace, reconciliation, mercy, and renewal, the Malaysian Church has designated pilgrimage centres for Catholics to visit. Pilgrims can obtain plenary indulgences while visiting these centres, further deepening their spiritual journey.

On February 2, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, 42 Catholics from various parishes in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor set out on a pilgrimage of hope, seeking reconciliation and spiritual renewal. Their journey began in the morning at the Chapel of the Holy Infant Jesus in Sg Pelek, Sepang where they attended the feast day Mass. Along the way, they prayed the Rosary together as a group.

In the afternoon, the pilgrims continued their journey to the Church of Immaculate Conception in Port Dickson (CICPD), one of the five designated pilgrimage centres in the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur. They were warmly welcomed by the CICPD Jubilee welcoming team, which guided them through a community prayer session and a reflection on “Gratitude.” Before the reflection, the pilgrims learned about the significance of the Jubilee year, the Jubilee logo, and how to obtain the Jubilee Indulgence or plenary indulgence.

Fr Edwin Peter, the parish priest, and seminarian Bro Alvin Lucas were present to support the pilgrims. Fr Edwin expressed his joy at seeing the pilgrims enthusiastically engage in adoration and prayer, emphasising the importance of repentance before passing through the Holy Door — a symbol of the grace available during the Jubilee year. “The Holy Door is not a magic door,” he explained, but a call for repentance, forgiveness, and spiritual renewal.

The pilgrims also had the opportunity to write petitions and place them in the “Prayers of Hope” box, located near the statue of Mother Mary. The act of burning these petitions symbolised surrendering their prayers to God.

A key highlight of the pilgrimage was the Rosary Walk, which took place both indoors and outdoors. During the walk, the pilgrims reflected on their faith and deepened their connection with the Lord and Mother Mary. Many participants purchased Jubilee-themed items, including caps, rosaries, and car stickers, which added to the sense of unity and purpose. Holy water was also distributed generously. Though the walk presented a slight challenge for some elderly pilgrims due to a small slope and staircase, the overall experience was a spiritual refreshment.

At the end of the two-hour programme, Fr Edwin offered a blessing to all the pilgrims. Bro Alvin also encouraged the pilgrims to pray for more vocations to the priesthood, urging young men in Malaysia to consider joining the seminary.
The pilgrimage was a profound time of renewal, faith, and unity for all who participated.