Thousands throng Bukit Nanas for Easter celebrations

May 02, 2014

By Bernard Anthony
Easter is the most important holy day in the Catholic Church calender, as it marks the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, after His Crucifixion on Good Friday. “Alleluia the Lord is risen!” rang out as the 1.1 million Catholics in Malaysia celebrated Easter solemnly with Mass and prayers.

At the Cathedral of St John in Bukit Nanas, about 11,700 faithful converged for the several Easter vigil and Easter Sunday Masses that were scheduled.

The Myanmar community had their Easter Vigil Mass at 11.30pm in the Cathedral celebrated in their native language by three priests, namely Fr Robert To, Fr James and Fr Lourdes Anthony. Some 1,000 Myanmarese were present. There were 20 adult baptisms.

Earlier at 8.30pm, the English Vigil Mass was celebrated by Fr William Michael, the assistant parish priest participated by some 1,500 faithful. Six adults were admitted into the Church and two others confirmed.

At the nearby Community Services Centre, some 600 Vietnamese were present for their Vigil Mass celebrated by a visiting priest from Vietnam.

Both the migrant communities, also held their own Easter fellowship after the vigils.

In the morning on Easter Sunday, at the old parish hall and its adjacent field, some 700 Myanmarese came for the Mass in their native language.

Three English Masses in the Cathedral saw full house. Parish priest Msgr James Gnanapiragasam celebrated the 7.30am Mass, Fr William Michael the 9.30am and Fr George Packiasamy the 11.30am Mass. Several large tents had been erected in the Cathedral grounds to accommodate the large crowd. Catholics from all walks of life and from numerous nationalities were present to give their thanks and praise to our Lord God Almighty for sending Jesus Christ to be the Saviour of the world, risen on Easter Sunday. As Fr George put it, without Jesus risen from death, there would be no Christianity. Indeed, Jesus is risen and our faith testifies it.