By Diocese of Sibu
SIBU—In a world marked by unrest and longing for healing, the Church opens a sacred path of hope.
With the proclamation of a Special Jubilee Year by Pope Leo XIV, the faithful across the globe are invited to rediscover the enduring witness of St Francis of Assisi—the humble saint of peace, creation, and radical love.
Running from January 10, 2026, to January 10, 2027, this Jubilee commemorates the 800th anniversary of St Francis’s passing into eternal life.
It is more than a remembrance; it is a call to conversion. In the spirit of the saint who embraced poverty and fraternity, the Holy Father urges the world to seek reconciliation and peace—especially poignant amid ongoing tensions such as the conflicts involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.
As part of this Jubilee grace, the Church grants plenary indulgences to pilgrims who visit designated Franciscan sites, participate in the sacraments, and pray for the intentions of the Pope. It is an invitation to journey outwardly and inwardly—toward sacred places and toward renewed hearts.
On 23 March 2026, this call to pilgrimage came alive in the quiet town of Pakan, Sarikei. A group of 31 pilgrims from Kota Kinabalu, led by their spiritual director Fr Edward Raymond, together with brothers and sisters of Sibu Neo-Catechumenal Way community, embarked on a faith-filled journey.
Travelling for one and a half hours from Sibu by bus, they arrived at the Church of St Francis of Assisi in Pakan—a place that now stands as a beacon of Jubilee grace.
In his homily, Fr Edward Raymond echoed the heart of Franciscan spirituality: a deep love for the Church, a reverence for creation, and an abiding devotion to God. His words invited the pilgrims to encounter Christ not only within the walls of the Church but also in the beauty of nature and the simplicity of communal life—hallmarks of St Francis’s legacy.
The pilgrims were warmly received by more than ten parishioners of Pakan, whose heartfelt hospitality reflected the very spirit of fraternity that St Francis lived. In their smiles, service, and shared prayer, the universal Church became tangible—a communion of love beyond boundaries.
The journey continued to the Chapel of St Anne in Paradom, where moments of quiet reflection deepened the pilgrims’ spiritual experience. It culminated at the Church of St Mary of Divine Mercy, where the pilgrims prayerfully walked the Stations of the Cross—uniting their sacrifices with Christ and interceding for a wounded world.
This pilgrimage stands as a gentle yet powerful witness: that even in times overshadowed by conflict, the path of peace remains open. Inspired by St Francis, the pilgrims carried not only their prayers but also a renewed mission—to be instruments of peace in their own communities.
The Church encourages all faithful to take advantage of this Jubilee Year by making their own pilgrimage to Pakan. Those interested may arrange visits through the parish leadership, including the Rector, Fr Simon Lau, and Assistant Rector, Fr James Ting.
As the Jubilee Year unfolds, may the prayer of St Francis resound ever more deeply in our hearts: “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.”
Earlier on Saturday 21st March 2026, on their first day of arrival in Sibu, the KK pilgrims had made a pilgrimage to Pilgrim centre for Julbilee year of Hope, St Teresa Oratory, Sungei Merah.
End
