By Felicia Aguan
KUCHING — More than the journey of a sacred Cross from one parish to another, Perjalanan SALIB is a nationwide spiritual initiative of the Catholic Church in Malaysia that invites the faithful to celebrate, listen and walk together as one People of God. As part of the Church’s preparation for the Malaysia Pastoral Convention (MPC 2026), Perjalanan SALIB seeks to strengthen communion among the nine dioceses of Malaysia while fostering participation and renewing the Church’s mission through a Christ-centred spirituality rooted in the mystery of the Cross.
From 6 to 27 June 2026, Sacred Heart Parish, Kota Sentosa joyfully received Perjalanan SALIB, welcoming the Cross into its worshipping communities through liturgical celebrations, communal prayer, devotional activities and acts of service. Throughout the twenty-two-day pilgrimage, parishioners from every generation came together under the theme “A Journey of Faith and Unity,” embracing the Cross not only as the supreme symbol of Christ’s saving sacrifice but also as a visible sign of unity among the Catholic faithful in Malaysia.
The pilgrimage commenced on 6 June, when the Cross was reverently received from Holy Spirit Church, Lundu. More than a ceremonial handover, the occasion marked the beginning of a spiritual journey that would unite the various worshipping communities of Sacred Heart Parish in prayer, reflection and fellowship. As parishioners welcomed the Cross with faith and devotion, they were reminded that Christian discipleship is never an individual journey but one shared with the wider Church, united by Christ’s Passion, Death and Resurrection.
The following day, the parish celebrated the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, gathering around the Eucharistic table to honour Christ truly present in the Blessed Sacrament. The celebration beautifully reflected the heart of Perjalanan SALIB, reminding the faithful that the Cross and the Eucharist are inseparable mysteries of God’s redeeming love. The same Christ who offered Himself upon the Cross continues to nourish His people through the Eucharist, strengthening them to become His witnesses in the world.
On 8 June, parishioners gathered for Night with Candlelight, a peaceful evening of prayer and contemplation. As the church was illuminated by candlelight, the faithful reflected on Christ, the Light of the World, whose love overcomes darkness and leads His people with hope. In the stillness of the evening, many entrusted their families, intentions and personal struggles to the Lord, contemplating the Cross as a constant reminder of God’s abiding presence.
A defining moment of the pilgrimage was the celebration of the Sacred Heart Triduum from 9 to 11 June, culminating in the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus on 12 June. Throughout these days, the Cross occupied a place of honour within the liturgical celebrations, drawing the faithful into a deeper contemplation of Christ’s boundless love.
Each evening offered a unique spiritual reflection. The faithful were encouraged to make God’s love visible through acts of mercy, forgiveness and compassion. They were reminded that the Cross remains the enduring sign of hope that gathers the Church into unity, while the Sacred Heart reveals the immeasurable love and mercy of Christ poured out for all humanity. The celebrations culminated in the Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, presided over by Archbishop Simon Poh, together with Msgr William Sabang, Rev Fr Felix Au, Rev Fr Aloysius Dirgahayu, Rev Fr Lucas Ng and Rev Fr. Joseph Raj. Coinciding with the Parish Gawai Thanksgiving Mass, the celebration beautifully demonstrated the harmony between faith and culture as the parish community gathered in gratitude for God’s abundant blessings.
The pilgrimage continued on 13 June with the celebration of the Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary at Immaculate Heart Centre Chapel, where the faithful reflected on Mary’s unwavering faith, humble obedience and complete surrender to God’s will. As the first disciple of Christ, the Blessed Virgin Mary remains the perfect model of Christian discipleship, leading believers ever closer to her Son. The following day, the Cross journeyed to Our Lady of the Assumption Chapel, Kampung Sampun Kelili, where the Sunday Eucharistic celebration further strengthened the bonds of communion among the worshipping communities of Sacred Heart Parish.
As Perjalanan SALIB continued, the Cross travelled from one worshipping community to another, allowing parishioners throughout the parish to participate in this grace-filled journey. At St Joseph Chapel, Kampung Sungai Empit, the faithful gathered in prayer before accompanying the Cross to Santa Maria Bunda Allah Chapel, Kampung Bumbok, where Marian devotion once again united the community in faith and hope. The pilgrimage then continued to St John de Brebeuf Chapel, Kampung Tematu, where a reflective Taizé Prayer created a sacred space of silence, Scripture and meditative worship, inviting participants to encounter the Lord through contemplative prayer.
The journey continued to Sacred Heart Chapel, Kampung Semeba, where parishioners gathered in preparation for one of the most significant moments of the pilgrimage. On 22 June, parishioners accompanied the SALIB in a prayerful Procession of the Stations of the Cross from Sacred Heart Chapel, Kampung Semeba, to Immaculate Conception Chapel, Kampung Sudat, where it was warmly received by the local worshipping community. The procession became a powerful public witness of faith, inviting the faithful to meditate on Christ’s Passion while journeying together in prayer and hope. Over the following three days, the faithful gathered for the Divine Mercy devotion led by the Legion of Mary, an evening of Praise and Worship led by Catholic Youth Movement (CYM), and the celebration of the Holy Eucharist before the Cross was reverently entrusted to St Mark’s Church, Batu Kawa. These celebrations became meaningful opportunities for spiritual renewal, encouraging parishioners to contemplate God’s mercy flowing from the Cross while renewing their commitment to faithful Christian discipleship.
The final stage of Perjalanan SALIB unfolded at St Mark’s Church, Batu Kawa, where the parish community embraced several days of prayer, reflection and fellowship. Parishioners participated in Open Veneration of the Cross, spending quiet moments in personal prayer before the Lord. A vibrant Youth Prayer Night, featuring Praise and Worship and a faith-sharing session led by Rev Fr Aloysius Bayu, reflected the enthusiasm and commitment of the younger generation to the life and mission of the Church.
Another significant highlight was the Dedicated Ministry’s Moment, during which parish ministries and organisations—including the Family Life Ministry, Legion of Mary, Parish Youth Ministry, Sunday School, RCIA, liturgical ministries and numerous other parish organisations—gathered before the Cross in prayer and reflection. These moments beautifully expressed the spirit of synodality, reminding everyone that every baptised person has a unique vocation and responsibility in building up the Body of Christ through humble service and shared mission.
In keeping with the wider vision of Perjalanan SALIB, parishioners also participated in a community gotong-royong, demonstrating that authentic Christian discipleship extends beyond prayer and worship into concrete acts of service, stewardship of creation and care for one another. Through these simple yet meaningful acts, the faithful gave witness that devotion to the Cross must always bear fruit in lives of charity, solidarity and love.
The pilgrimage concluded on 27 June with the celebration of the Sunset Mass, after which the Cross was reverently handed over to Blessed Sacrament Parish, BDC, to continue its journey through the Archdiocese of Kuching. Although the Cross departed from Sacred Heart Parish, the spiritual fruits of Perjalanan SALIB remained deeply rooted within the hearts of the faithful. Over twenty-two days, the pilgrimage strengthened relationships among worshipping communities, encouraged greater participation in parish life and renewed the parish’s commitment to walking together in faith.
More importantly, Perjalanan SALIB reflected the wider vision of the Malaysia Pastoral Convention 2026—to become a more synodal Church that celebrates together, listens attentively and journeys together under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Every Eucharistic celebration, procession, Rosary, prayer service, ministry gathering and community activity became a living expression of communion, participation and mission.
As Sacred Heart Parish entrusted the Cross to the next parish, it also renewed its commitment to continue the Church’s mission: to become a voice for the people, a community that extends compassion, a Church that shares the fullness of life, and a people continually growing in holiness. In this way, Perjalanan SALIB became far more than a pilgrimage across parishes—it became a journey of conversion, renewal and unity, inspiring the faithful to carry the message of Christ’s Cross into their families, workplaces and communities long after the pilgrimage had moved on.
“We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You, because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.”
