By Magdalen Tan
KUCHING — On 1st May 2026, as many marked Labour Day with a pause from their daily work, participants gathered at Greccio Retreat House in the Siburan area near Kuching for a grace-filled day of silence, prayer, reflection, and fellowship.
Organised by the World Community for Christian Meditation (WCCM) of Kuching, under St Joseph’s Cathedral, the retreat offered a peaceful space from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. for hearts and minds to be renewed in the presence of God.
WCCM, or The World Community for Christian Meditation, encourages the ancient Christian practice of meditation as a simple path to stillness, prayer, and deeper communion with God. In a world often marked by noise, busyness, and constant demands, the retreat served as a gentle reminder of the Lord’s invitation to pause, be still, and rest in His presence.
The day began with an opening prayer, setting a reverent and peaceful tone for the retreat. Participants then listened to a talk by Fr Laurence Freeman, OSB, whose spiritual guidance has long nourished many in the Christian meditation movement. His message reflected the heart of the retreat: that silence is not emptiness, but a sacred space where God meets us in love.
Throughout the day, participants were invited into meditation, personal sharing, and moments of quiet reflection. These times of stillness offered more than simple rest; they became an opportunity to lay down worries, silence inner noise, and entrust the burdens of daily life to God. In this way, the retreat reflected the Christian meaning of self-care, not as self-indulgence, but as allowing oneself to be restored by the Lord.
A shared lunch, lovingly prepared by the Sisters of St Francis, added warmth and hospitality to the day. Tea breaks also offered space for quiet conversation and rest. The Greccio Retreat House, located about 45 minutes from Kuching (before Serian), is surrounded by vegetable farms. It sits on a peaceful 10-acre land, filled with old trees, flowers and fruit trees. Under the stewardship of the Sisters of St Francis, its serene setting is where nature itself invites the soul into stillness.
The afternoon included the Divine Mercy Chaplet, drawing all into prayerful trust in the Lord’s compassion and mercy. Blessed with a beautiful sunny weather that day, the participants walked the outdoor Stations of the Cross through the retreat grounds, uniting their prayers with the suffering and love of Christ.
It was a simple day, yet one filled with grace. In silence, prayer, fellowship, and the beauty of creation, the retreat became a timely Labour Day invitation to pause, breathe deeply, and return to the Lord with a quiet heart.
The WCCM Kuching’s Spiritual Director is Fr Mark Noel. To learn more about WCCM, feel free to visit WCCM website https://wccm.org or contact Alexandra Wong at +6011-3591 3159.
