Youth Cross and icon of Mother Mary is on the move

Apr 19, 2024

SANDAKAN: Over 300 young individuals from the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu joined in escorting the Youth Cross and the icon of Mother Mary to the Diocese of Sandakan.

The journey with the Youth Cross and Mother Mary’s icon signifies the commencement of Sabah Youth Day (SYD), Sabah’s largest youth gathering. This year marks the sixth edition of SYD, which will take place at the Cathedral of St Francis Xavier in Keningau from September 16-20.

Archbishop John Wong inaugurated SYD-6 on November 3, 2023, at St Joseph’s Church in Papar. Following the launch, the pilgrimage with the Youth Cross and icon began, moving from the Papar parish to the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Kota Kinabalu on February 24. It reached St Mary’s Cathedral in Sandakan on March 16.

Cultural diversity welcomes the Youth Cross
As 200 youth gathered at the Cathedral of St Mary, they engaged in hymn singing and an ice-breaking session led by the Sandakan Parish Youth Apostolate in anticipation of the Youth Cross and icon of Mother Mary.

The arrival of the Youth Cross and the icon was celebrated with an array of traditional performances, including the Hedung dance by Church of St Mark, the Dusun Labuk dance from Church of St Martin in Telupid, and traditional Chinese drums from the Cathedral of St Mary.

Fr Isidore Gilbert, the Youth Spiritual Advisor of the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu, officially handed over the Youth Cross and icon of Mother Mary to the Sandakan diocese, represented by Sr Noemi Mejia, FSIC, the Youth Coordinator of the Diocese of Sandakan. The ceremony was also graced by the presence of Bishop Julius Dusin, Fr Dafrinn Diwol, and other religious brothers and sisters. Bishop Julius led the congregation in a welcoming Mass to celebrate this significant event.

The cross is a symbol of life
In his homily, Bishop Julius highlighted the relevance of the Youth Cross and the icon of Mother Mary’s arrival in light of the day’s reading, which centred on themes of death and life. “The cross is a symbol of life for those of us who believe in Him,” he noted. “We are reminded to stay close to God, the source of life. If you feel bound like Lazarus, wrapped in his shroud, remember that only Jesus has the power to set us free, as the Gospel today tells us: ‘Untie his bands and let him go free.’”

Bishop Julius prayed over the young people, wishing that they remain receptive to the grace of God’s deliverance during this Easter season, that their faith may be renewed and strengthened, and that they have the courage to follow Jesus.

The Youth Cross and the icon of Mother Mary will remain at the Cathedral of St Mary until June 15, after which youth representatives will deliver the cross and icon to the Cathedral of St Francis Xavier in the Diocese of Keningau.