By Jerome Lim, OCDS
KUCHING — On this grace-filled evening of 14 April 2025, the Carmelite Chapel in Kuching was enveloped in an atmosphere of deep reverence and sacred stillness as the Salib Perjalanan — the Journey of the Cross — arrived at our doorstep. This special cross, adorned with the hibiscus, Malaysia’s national flower, is not merely a crafted symbol but a profound reminder of Christ’s victory over sin and death, and a call for all faithful throughout the nine dioceses of Malaysia to enter into deeper reflection, prayer, and unity as one Church for the upcoming Malaysian Pastoral Convention 2026.
True to the contemplative heart of the Carmelite tradition, this evening was not merely a moment of external observance but an inner pilgrimage — a drawing closer to the mystery of Christ’s passion, love, and self-emptying. Organised by the Christ the King OCDS Kuching Community, the candlelight prayer service gathered together parishioners, Secular Carmelites, and the Carmelite Nuns, uniting voices and hearts in the stillness and silence that are so characteristic of Carmelite prayer.
The glow of the candles symbolised the light of Christ that burns quietly in the depth of the soul, even in the midst of darkness. The hymn “In the cross, in the cross, be my glory ever, till my raptured soul shall find, rest beyond the river” was sung softly but deeply, echoing the Carmelite longing for interior union with God and the peace found in surrendering to His holy will.
One by one, with great devotion, the Secular Carmelites, and the parishioners came forward to the Cross, approaching it not as strangers but as children before the throne of mercy. Each soul knelt, bowed, or touched the wood of the Cross — venerating it with a heart full of love for the Lord’s passion and sacrifice. Each gesture, simple yet profound, expressed deep gratitude for the unfathomable gift of redemption and the enduring hope we find in Christ.
As the Salib Perjalanan continues its pilgrimage through the parishes and dioceses of Malaysia, may all who encounter it be drawn into the silence of prayer and the embrace of Christ’s redemptive love. And may we, like the Carmelites, learn to carry the Cross in the simplicity of daily life, with hearts wholly surrendered to God’s will, until His love transforms the world.
“Let us not grow weary in the shadow of the Cross, for it is there that true love is born.” — St. Thérèse of Lisieux
