By Jerome Lim
KUCHING — 23 April 2026,The Scout group of St Joseph’s Private Secondary School, Kuching, made history by holding its inaugural Scout Mass in conjunction with the Feast of Saint George, patron saint of Scouts. This marks the first Scout Mass to be organised in Sarawak and stands as a pioneering initiative for Catholic school Scouting in the region.
The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Fr Joseph Ng, SJ. The Feast of Saint George holds deep significance in the global Scouting Movement. Chosen by Robert Baden-Powell as the model for Scouts, Saint George represents courage, faith and the strength to stand for what is right. More than 80 Scout members took part in the celebration, including Cub Scouts from the primary school as well as Junior and Senior Scouts from the secondary school, forming a united Scout community in prayer. The event was attended by the Principal, Mr Yong Ing Thung, the Headmistress, Ms Shirley Chong, Scout teachers in charge, and was further graced by the presence of the Chief Commissioner of Sarawak Scouts, Mr John Lim, together with the Assistant Chief Commissioners, underscoring the importance of this milestone within the wider Scouting community.
To mark the significance of the celebration, Scout members were in full uniform throughout the day, serving as a visible sign of their identity, unity and commitment. Beyond tradition, this reflected their readiness to live out the values of Scouting in both school and daily life. A specially designed St George’s Day bookmark was also distributed to students as a commemorative and educational initiative. It encouraged both Scouts and the wider school community to reflect on the life and virtues of Saint George and to follow his example of courage, faith and steadfastness in doing what is right.
This historic celebration not only strengthened the bond between faith and Scouting but also highlighted the school’s commitment to holistic formation, nurturing young people of character, service and faith. As the Scouts gathered for a group photo at the end of the celebration, the occasion stood as more than an event. It marked the beginning of a meaningful tradition that is set to inspire future generations of Scouts in Sarawak.
