By Herald Malaysia
PETALING JAYA — The Archdiocesan Liturgy Commission (ALC) of Kuala Lumpur launched its formation series, Deepening Our Liturgical Life, with an encouraging turnout of 80 participants from 17 parishes across the archdiocese. Held recently at the Church of the Assumption, the inaugural session, Encountering the Sacred: An Introduction to the Liturgy, sought to deepen participants’ understanding of the Church’s liturgy and foster more conscious, active and fruitful participation in worship.
The morning began with a presentation by Fr Leonard Lexson, Ecclesiastical Assistant for the ALC, who invited participants to rediscover the true meaning of liturgy. Drawing from Church teaching and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, he explained that liturgy is not simply a collection of rituals or ceremonies, but the living action of Christ who continues His saving work through the Church.
Fr Leonard highlighted the Christ-centred nature of the Eucharist, reminding participants that every celebration of the Mass is an encounter with the risen Lord. He also reflected on the Eucharist as the source and summit of Christian life and emphasised the importance of active participation, encouraging the faithful to move beyond seeing the Mass as an obligation and instead experience it as a transformative encounter that shapes daily Christian living.
The formation continued with a presentation by ALC chairperson, Madonna Francis, and Sandra Ann on the structure of the Mass. Through a step-bystep exploration of the Introductory Rites, Liturgy of the Word, Liturgy of the Eucharist and Concluding Rites, participants gained a clearer understanding of how the various parts of the celebration form a unified act of worship. The session helped attendees appreciate the purpose and significance of each part of the Mass and how they draw the faithful into deeper communion with Christ and one another.
The final presentation was delivered by Spencer Klumai, who explored the rich meaning behind the signs, symbols, postures and gestures used in Catholic worship. Participants reflected on familiar actions such as standing, sitting, kneeling and making the Sign of the Cross, discovering how these outward expressions communicate and deepen the interior disposition of prayer, reverence and participation in the sacred mysteries.
The programme concluded with an engaging question-and-answer session led by Fr Leonard. Participants raised a variety of practical and theological questions related to the celebration of the Mass and liturgical practices within parish communities. His responses provided clarity on several commonly misunderstood aspects of the liturgy and encouraged participants to continue learning about the Church’s worship.
Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive. Many expressed gratitude for the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the liturgy and shared that the formation had given them a renewed appreciation for the Mass. Participants particularly valued the practical and accessible approach of the presentations and the opportunity to engage directly with the speakers.
As the session drew to a close, there was a strong sense of enthusiasm for the continuation of the series. Many participants indicated that they were looking forward to the next session, Entering the Mystery: Understanding the Holy Mass, which will be held on July 18.
Parishes interested in future sessions or looking for ongoing resource materials can coordinate with the commission by emailing.
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