Light of Hope — MJD50 anniversary

Dec 03, 2021

JOHOR BAHRU: Malacca Johore Diocese kickstarted our Golden Anniversary journey with an inauguration Mass on March 12, 2020 at St Paul’s Hill, Melaka. St Francis Xavier is the patron saint of the diocese and as the diocesan’s thrust is to become an evangelising Church, this date was chosen on account of it being the day that St Francis Xavier was canonised. This was followed by the unveiling of the MJD50 logo for the celebration at the Church of St Francis Xavier.

Bishop Bernard Paul felt that instead of focusing on a single day to mark a Golden Anniversary, why not enter a three-year long jubilee that sees the faithful giving thanks to God for the very gift of the diocese. Furthermore, a sustained celebration is needed to consolidate the pastoral thrust taken by the diocese in the creation of an Encountered Church that is both Enlightened and Empowered and flowering into an Evangelising culture.

The culmination of the three-year journey will take place in MAJODI Centre. It is the seat of the diocesan governance and is big enough to host the many coming for the event. The Golden Anniversary was scheduled to take place on December 3, 2022, the Solemnity of St Francis Xavier but, due to the pandemic, the celebration has been postponed to June 5, 2023.

Presently, events are still being planned for the coming months by the setting up of a “task force” to steer the celebration. The Task Force’s (TF) journey is as follows:

TF1, see the light: Reintroduce MJD50 with promotional items on social media, collect and share the faith story among people from the MJ Diocese.

TF2, light the heart: The MJD50 prayer is to be recited during Mass, BEC gatherings and other meetings beginning from Advent this year to June 2023.

TF3, sustain the light: On the Solemnity of Christ the King, which coincided with World Youth Day (WYD), there was an assembly to celebrate the diocese’s Young People’s Day (MJDYPD). During this assembly, the bishop, with his two vicar generals, briefed the young people on the journey towards MJD 50 — the theme song, the logo and the journey as a community.

TF4, spread the light: The BEC Animation and Formation Team (BECAFT) prepared a brochure with a brief explanation of the coat of arms and the BEC journey.

TF5, beholding the bigger light: In view of the disruptions due to the pandemic, strategies and action plans are being reviewed to cater to the current situation.

TF6, merging of the lights: All planning and preparation will culminate in the MJD50 Anniversary celebration.

MJ Diocese welcomes one and all to participate and be a part of the MJD50 Anniversary!!!

To understand the meaning of the logo and MJD50 Prayer, please visit https://mjdiocese.my/wps/malaccajohore-diocese/mjd50/

Menjadi Cahaya Kristus - Bersempena Dengan Ulang Tahun Keuskupan Melaka Johor Ke-50 https://youtu.be/vlyWpUfPFz0 by Central Working Committee MJD50 Anniversary