St Anne's Church - the Sea of Lights of Bukit Mertajam
St Anne's Church - the Sea of Lights of Bukit Mertajam | ||||
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It was in the East where St. Anne was first honoured. Today, Catholics observe her feast day on July 26. Celebrations are held on a grand scale throughout the world in conjunction with St Anne's Feast. In Malaysia, some hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the country and abroad flock to pay homage to this important Christian saint, and to thank her for countless prayers answered and petitions granted. The Feast is filled with spiritual activites, like daily rosary recitations, Mass, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, Blessing of the Sick, Confession and a candlelight procession. For this year, the celebration will begin on Friday, 22 July and conclude on Sunday, 31 July. The procession takes place at 9.30pm on Saturday, 30 July followed by a vigil at 11.45pm. A Mass timetable for the week can be obtained from the church. St. Anne, whose name means "grace" was born in 50BC in either Nazareth or Bethlehem. She is revered by Catholics as the mother of Mary. Interestingly, she also holds the position of patroness of joiners, cabinet makers, miners and all those engaged in spinning, weaving, embroidery, sewing and all sorts of household arts and skills. In the world of Renaissance art, St. Anne is well represented, and the picture that immediately comes to mind is this 16th century charcoal-on-paper sketch by Leonardo da Vinci. Churches have been built in her honour, and the historical one in Bukit Mertajam, Malaysia is one of many. Saint Anne's church started as a small chapel built atop a hillock by visiting French priest Fr. Adolphe Couellan in 1846. At the time, the congregation comprised about 190 people, mainly Chinese Catholics who settled down at the foothill of Bukit Mertajam. They were originally from Province Wellesley. Two chapels were set up in 1846 and 1865 before Fr. F. P. Sorin built the first church which celebrated its first mass in 1888. In 1896, the stained glass set featuring St. Anne and a set of three tenor bells from France were added to the church. As fate would have it, Fr. Sorin passed on the feast day of St. Anne - 26 July - and was buried at the entrance of the old church. In 1914, the church was assigned its very first local priest - Fr. Michael Seet - who eventually went on to serve for 24 years. It was during his tenure when the Feast of St. Anne grew in popularity. Through the years, this event attracted the attention of people far and wide. Thus, a tradition that survives even to this day was born. In 1957, the second church was built by Fr. Thomas Chin. This is the church next to the Kim Sen School which has been called the "the new church" for the last 48 years. In 1988, the old church was given a facelift just in time for the Centennial Celebration in 1989. The 100 year anniversary of the church was marked by a floats procession and marching bands. In May 2000, the construction of a bigger church started on its sprawling twenty-acre land. It was built next to the old one, now called the Shrine. Parish priest Fr. Michael Cheah took the opportunity to add a more Malaysian touch to the architecture - this feature is evident in both the multi-tiered Minangkabau roofs and the traditional looking tabernacle. To harmonise with the Universal Church, Gothic arches, a porch and corridors were added to the design. Today, the church functions as a comprehensive unit containing the church proper, an activities centre and the parish house. Delicately finished and custom-made brick cladding enhances the appearance, and roofs are covered with coloured clay roof tiles. Inspirational and religious artworks like mosaic murals and statues adorn the interior at selected locations. The church can sit 1,800 people. Soon after, a precious object in the form of a bone fragment of St. Anne was displayed in the church. The tiny fragment measuring about 3mm is house within a golden monstrance placed near the altar. Pilgrims old and new will always make an effort to catch a glimpse of this relic, surely one of the most holiest to be found in the Catholic faith. Life size Station of the Cross depicting the passion and death of Jesus have also been installed on the church grounds. The cost of these statues amounts to RM 600,000. When it comes to petitions made to St. Anne, my parents are firm believers in the old adage "ask and thou shall receive". Being a staunch Catholic myself (and a believer in miracles) it is not surprising that their simple conviction has rubbed off on me through the years. As time passes, my petitions vary from noble ones to selfish requests - asking for super powers as a child to peace on earth, from passing of exams to quick recovery of a sick uncle, from having a good job to falling in love; from marrying the perfect wife to a safe delivery of my first baby girl, from success in business and life to all that is good. Being Catholics, my family would, without fail, make the annual trip to Bukit Mertajam to lay our petitions before good St. Anne. Standing on top of the hill in front of the grotto, we recite the rosary and light the candles we brought with us. Like many other devotees who seem enraptured in faith, we too are lost in prayerful poses. Eyes closed in reverence while lips move in silent prayer. Afterwards, we attend mass and join in the celebrations to honour the grandmother of Jesus. I have not really decided what to pray for this year. I have already been blessed with a good life and most of my prayers have been answered; most that is, except for having super powers as a kid! On the other hand, this wish may have been granted for all I know, because strong faith, like comic book heroes, can move mountains. Note to those attending St. Anne's Feast: The church urges devotees not to place candles along the paths, Station of the Cross and boulders in St. Anne's hill but to light them only at appropriate places. | ||||
