Visit of Jean-Baptiste Cardinal Pham

Annuntio vobis gaudiam magnam. Habemus Cardinalem!

Only a visiting one, of course.

His Eminence Jean-Baptiste Cardinal Phạm Minh Mẫn

Archbishop of Thành-Phô Hô Chí Minh, Viêt Nam

I attended Mass on Monday evening at the Chapel of the Sacred Heart at the College General Major Seminary. After Mass, Bro. Aloysius kindly informed us that His Eminence Jean-Baptiste Cardinal Pham Minh Man, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Thành-Phô Hô Chí Minh (formerly known as Saigon), Viêt Nam, will be celebrating Mass the following day at 11.45AM.

His Eminence Cardinal Pham was on a pastoral trip to visit the Vietnamese Catholic diaspora.

About 8 million people in Vietnam are Catholic, the 2^nd largest Catholic population by in Asia after the Philippines. Its vibrant Catholic Church has an overabundance of vocations, limited only by the Communist government restriction on Seminary recruitment. The only Major Seminary is only allowed an intake once every 2 years. The numbers are also restricted. When the restriction was lifted this year, there were 70 applicants and even the store room had to be used as quarters for the students. Another seminary is now being built to cater for the great number of vocations.

If you remember, recently His Eminence Crecenzio Cardinal Sepe, at that time Prefect of Propagande Fide visited Vietnam and ordained one of the largest classes of priests in recent memory outside the Cathedral in Hanoi where 57 men were ordained.

So far, His Eminence has been to Canada, Australia and several other countries where there exists high concentrations of Vietnamese migrant workers.

After making a stop in Kuala Lumpur, His Eminence visited the College General which once served Vietnam as well. Another reason for the trip was that the College was the seminary where some of the canonized Vietnamese Martyrs studied for the priesthood including Sts. Phillip Minh, Peter Qui, Paul Loc and companions.

Their relics are reserved and venerated in the College Chapel.

When I arrived, His Eminence and his accompanying entourage were with the Fr. Rector viewing a film on the origins of the College General and its journey from Ayuthaya to its present location. Since the College Museum was open, I took the opportunity to peer inside.

Here’s a very beautiful depiction of a Guardian Angel. The statue above is of St. Joseph.

I was very surprised to find out that the Museum had a replica of the Guttenberg Bible, the first book even printed and by many accounts, the most beautiful. Printing is one of the few arts that reached its zenith at its inception. You can see it here open to the Gospel of Luke.

The next picture depicts the manner with which some of the martyrs were executed in Korea. The French MEP martyrs Sts. Laurent Imbert and Jacques Chastan were professors at the College. St. Chastan was also a former priest at my parish. The silk screen below is written in Korean. I can’t remember what it says. Need to check it out.

His Eminence then entered the museum and we were kindly ushered out to give the entourage some privacy. In the Chapel, I took the opportunity to photograph the ornate antique north side altar dedicated to the Vietnamese Martyrs. Perhaps when the rumoured motu proprio is released, the Tridentine Mass can once again be celebrated on this altar.



Here’s a full view of the altar. Note the antique reliquaries. There’s hundred’s of authentic relics here from many famous and obscure saints whose closeness to God in life have hallowed their bodies. There’s more on the other south side altar.

The Mass soon started with the His Eminence Cardinal Pham as the main celebrant. His Lordship the Rt. Rev. Antony Selvanayagam, the Bishop of Penang, His Grace the Most Rev. Anthony Soter Fernandez, the Archbishop Emeritus of Kuala Lumpur, the Rev. Fr. Edwin Paul, Rector and another Vietnamese priest who accompanied the Cardinal concelebrated the Mass.

Sorry for the blurry pictures as I did not want to use the flash during Mass. The Mass of the Day was the Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This is traditionally also the day of prayer for those in the cloistered life. In his homily, His Eminence touched on the animating power of the Holy Spirit and His transformative gifts. Touching on his personal experiences, His Eminence said that as he traveled the world visiting the Vietnamese Catholic diaspora, he thanked the local hierarchy and Church for providing pastoral care to the migrants. But it was the local Church in turn who thanked the Vietnamese for their Faith and life witness. The zeal and fidelity of these Vietnamese migrants for the Faith of their Fathers and martyrs often reanimated the parishes where they worship and their children provide a disproportionate number of vocations relative to their population.

His Eminence attributed this to the power of the same Holy Spirit that filled the Virgin Mary and inspired her to a life of fidelity to God which now inspired them and transformed them. They came as migrants and became valued members of the parish community and the local Church.

His Grace, Archbishop Soter can be seen here assisting the Cardinal during the Offertory. One funny moment occurred when His Eminence, perhaps used to having his Deacon present during his Masses suddenly stopped during the Rite of Peace. After a moment of silence, His Grace Archbishop Soter, realizing the situation, quickly said “Let us give each other the sign of peace”.

Here, Archbishop Soter and Bishop Anthony can be seen concelebrating with His Eminence.
Group pictures after the Mass. The Seminarians were joined in the picture by those in attendance.

I was taking the photos while the photographers were taking turns getting their picture taken. Father Rector can be seen here motioning to get my turn at it.

Bishops only please =)

Here, Bro Aloysius and His Eminence can be seen at the Altar of the Vietnamese Martyrs.

His Eminence with a part of the Vietnamese entourage accompanying him.

Bro. Peter Anthoney kindly requested His Eminence to graciously consent to have his picture taken with your humble scribe who can be seen at on the left of the picture. Mark and Angela, who came despite an ongoing STPM exam, are on the right.

Now, for those of you living in Rome, where the Princes of the Church are as common a sight as trees might not understand the rarity of this event. We have no Cardinals in Malaysia. The closest are in Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines. The last Cardinal to visit if my memory serves is Cardinal Seper to open the new seminary buildings about 15 years ago. Personally, I have never met one. This was quite something =)

Now that I’ve seen a Prince of the Church, the Pope is next on my list. After that, who knows, perhaps the Lord and His Mother? In a vision I mean, not face-to-face just yet. =)

Here’s a picture of the memorial to the Vietnamese martyrs in the College grounds. The Chapel can be seen on the hill in the background. His Eminence laid some flowers here at the start of his visit.

A close-up.
St. Phillip Minh and companions.
Ora pro nobis.

Propaganda fide?

His Eminence Ivan Cardinal Dias, the emeritus Archbishop of Bombay and recently appointed head of the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith is seen in this newspaper scan lighting a lamp to the Hindu elephant deity Ganesh.

The picture is taken from the Indian Express of Oct 6 1997.A clearer reprint of the photo.
And whats up with this guy?

A Jesuit priest of course.
Fr. Angelo Benedisti who also answers to the name Swami Shubahan-anda.

Click for the legible version.

Syncretism to the max.

St. Ignatius of Loyola
Ora pro nobis

St. Francis Xavier
Ora pro nobis

And oh yeah, that's a tabernacle BTW.

Can you really blame the SSPX for being wary of the authorities in Rome?

Maranatha and put an end to all this.

Seminarians in costume

Here's an excerpt of an article that appeared in The Star recently:

Head-turning fancy parade for charity

By TAN SIN CHOW

THEY made head turns in their fancy costumes as passers-by stared at them in awe.

Traffic came to a halt as curious motorists stopped to watch the ‘Mummy’, ‘Little Knights’, ‘Pumpkin’, ‘Little Fairy’ and others dressed as ‘jesters’ and ‘ghouls’ on the road.

No, this was not a street Halloween celebration, but a pumpkin parade charity walkathon organised by Mount Miriam Hospital, Penang.

More than 340 people took part in the 2km walk from the hospital to Island Plaza.

And the objective? To raise RM50,000 for needy cancer patients. The response was tremendous.

BEST DRESSED':The group calling themselves Dead and Alive clowning around during the parade.

The hospital managed to collect RM73,382 from the public, schools and various organisations.

Adopting the theme ‘Pumpkin Parade’, participants were encouraged to dress up in colourful fancy costumes of their choice.

‘Vegetarian Man’ Vincent Thomas, 28, had all sorts of vegetables hanging from his body.

“It's really fun and exciting. I do not mind walking for such a distance knowing that I am actually walking for a good cause,” said the student of College General (a preparatory school for student priests).

Another exceptional character spotted was the 'Mummy' Aloysius Tan, 34, who came to the walk with Vincent and six other friends.

“This is a meaningful and interesting event and I am enjoying every minute of it.

”Besides, by wrapping myself this way, my friends could not recognise me,” said Tan in a jest.

It was no surprise when the seminarians of eight calling themselves the ‘Dead and Alive’ won the ‘Best Pumpkin Family Award’.

Over at Island Plaza, there was no less excitement as chuckles and laughter filled the air.

Door gifts and snacks were presented to all participants at the end of the walk.

Snake charmer Salim Khan wowed the guests, handling a 3m-long king cobra and other slithery ‘friends’ like mangrove snakes and pythons.

He had earlier invited guests to have their photographs taken with the slithery reptiles.

But the night truly belonged to six-year-old violinist prodigy Koay Zhi Tong, who was accredited as the youngest violinist by the Malaysia Book of Records.

She was in her element playing several popular numbers which had the crowd dancing to the catchy tunes.

State executive councillor Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan, together with hospital's chief executive officer Andy Wee, revealed the amount raised for needy cancer patients.

Praise God from Whom all Blessings flow

Some time ago, Fr. Z asked for prayers for this intention which has now been granted by the grace of God.

From CNS, the Catholic News Service.

Pro multis means "for many," Vatican rules

Vatican, Nov. 18 (CWNews.com) - The Vatican has ruled that the phrase pro multis should be rendered as "for many" in all new translations of the Eucharistic Prayer, CWN has learned.

Although "for many" is the literal translation of the Latin phrase, the translations currently in use render the phrase as "for all." Equivalent translations (für alle; por todos; per tutti) are in use in several other languages.

Cardinal Francis Arinze (bio - news), the prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship, has written to the heads of world's episcopal conferences, informing them of the Vatican decision. For the countries where a change in translation will be required, the cardinal's letter directs the bishops to prepare for the introduction of a new translation of the phrase in approved liturgical texts "in the next one or two years."

The translation of pro multis has been the subject of considerable debate because of the serious theological issues involved. The phrase occurs when the priest consecrates the wine, saying (in the current translation):

...It will be shed for you and for all so that sins may be forgiven.

The Latin version of the Missal, which sets the norm for the Roman liturgy, says:

...qui pro vobis et pro multis effundetur in remissionem peccatorum.

Critics of the current translation have argued, since it first appeared, that rendering pro multis as "for all" not only distorts the meaning of the Latin original, but also conveys the impression that all men are saved, regardless of their relationship with Christ and his Church. The more natural translation, "for many," more accurately suggests that while Christ's redemptive suffering makes salvation available to all, it does not follow that all men are saved.

Cardinal Arinze, in his letter to the presidents of episcopal conferences, explains the reasons for the Vatican's decision to require

• The Synoptic Gospels (Mt 26,28; Mk 14,24) make specific reference to “many” for whom the Lord is offering the Sacrifice, and this wording has been emphasized by some biblical scholars in connection with the words of the prophet Isaiah (53, 11-12). It would have been entirely possible in the Gospel texts to have said “for all” (for example, cf. Luke 12,41); instead, the formula given in the institution narrative is “for many”, and the words have been faithfully translated thus in most modern biblical versions.
• The Roman Rite in Latin has always said pro multis and never pro omnibus in the consecration of the chalice.
• The anaphoras of the various Oriental Rites, whether in Greek, Syriac, Armenian, the Slavic languages, etc., contain the verbal equivalent of the Latin pro multis in their respective languages.
• “For many” is a faithful translation of pro multis, whereas “for all” is rather an explanation of the sort that belongs properly to catechesis.
• The expression “for many”, while remaining open to the inclusion of each human person, is reflective also of the fact that this salvation is not brought about in some mechanistic way, without one’s willing or participation; rather, the believer is invited to accept in faith the gift that is being offered and to receive the supernatural life that is given to those who participate in this mystery, living it out in their lives as well so as to be numbered among the “many” to whom the text refers.
• In line with the instruction Liturgiam Authenticam, effort should be made to be more faithful to the Latin texts in the typical editions.

Ad orientem next? =)
A person can dream right?

Let's thank God for granting His people this grace and pray that the Holy Father be granted the strength to further implement the reform of the reform and free the Classical Roman Rite.

TE DEUM laudamus: te Dominum confitemur.	O GOD, we praise Thee: we acknowledge Thee to be the Lord.
Te aeternum Patrem omnis terra veneratur.	Everlasting Father, all the earth doth worship Thee.
Tibi omnes Angeli; tibi Caeli et universae Potestates;	To Thee all the Angels, the Heavens and all the Powers,
Tibi Cherubim et Seraphim incessabili voce proclamant:	all the Cherubim and Seraphim, unceasingly proclaim:
Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dominus Deus Sabaoth.	Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts!
Pleni sunt caeli et terra maiestatis gloriae tuae.	Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty of Thy glory.
Te gloriosus Apostolorum chorus,	The glorious choir of the Apostles,
Te Prophetarum laudabilis numerus,	the wonderful company of Prophets,
Te Martyrum candidatus laudat exercitus.	the white-robed army of Martyrs, praise Thee.
Te per orbem terrarum sancta confitetur Ecclesia,	Holy Church throughout the world doth acknowledge Thee:
Patrem immensae maiestatis:	the Father of infinite Majesty;
Venerandum tuum verum et unicum Filium;	Thy adorable, true and only Son;
Sanctum quoque Paraclitum Spiritum.	and the Holy Spirit, the Comforter.
Tu Rex gloriae, Christe.	O Christ, Thou art the King of glory!
Tu Patris sempiternus es Filius.	Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father.
Tu ad liberandum suscepturus hominem, non horruisti Virginis uterum.	Thou, having taken it upon Thyself to deliver man, didst not disdain the Virgin's womb.
Tu, devicto mortis aculeo, aperuisti credentibus regna caelorum.	Thou overcame the sting of death and hast opened to believers the Kingdom of Heaven.
Tu ad dexteram Dei sedes, in gloria Patris.	Thou sitest at the right hand of God, in the glory of the Father.
Iudex crederis esse venturus.	We believe that Thou shalt come to be our Judge.
Te ergo quaesumus, tuis famulis subveni: quos pretioso sanguine redemisti.	We beseech Thee, therefore, to help Thy servants whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy Precious Blood.
Aeterna fac cum sanctis tuis in gloria numerari.	Make them to be numbered with Thy Saints in everlasting glory.
V. Salvum fac populum tuum, Domine, et benedic hereditati tuae.	V. Save Thy people, O Lord, and bless Thine inheritance!
R. Et rege eos, et extolle illos usque in aeternum.	R. Govern them, and raise them up forever.
V. Per singulos dies benedicimus te.	V. Every day we thank Thee.
R. Et laudamus nomen tuum in saeculum, et in saeculum saeculi.	R. And we praise Thy Name forever, yea, forever and ever.
V. Dignare, Domine, die isto sine peccato nos custodire.	V. O Lord, deign to keep us from sin this day.
R. Miserere nostri, Domine, miserere nostri.	R. Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us.
V. Fiat misericordia tua, Domine, super nos, quemadmodum speravimus in te.	V. Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, for we have hoped in Thee.
R. In te, Domine, speravi: non confundar in aeternum.	R. O Lord, in Thee I have hoped; let me never be put to shame.

PS

This is the letter that His Eminence Francis Cardinal Arinze sent out to the Presidents of the Episcopal Conferences:

[To their Eminences /Excellencies,
Presidents of the National Episcopal Conferences]

CONGREGATIO DE CULTU DIVINO
ET DISCIPLINA SACRAMENTORUM

Prot. n. 467/05/L

Rome, 17 October 2006

Your Eminence / Your Excellency,

In July 2005 this Congregation for the Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, by agreement with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, wrote to all Presidents of Conferences of Bishops to ask their considered opinion regarding the translation into the various vernaculars of the expression pro multis in the formula for the consecration of the Precious Blood during the celebration of Holy Mass (ref. Prot. n. 467/05/L of 9 July 2005).

The replies received from the Bishops’ Conferences were studied by the two Congregations and a report was made to the Holy Father. At his direction, this Congregation now writes to Your Eminence / Your Excellency in the following terms:

1. A text corresponding to the words pro multis, handed down by the Church, constitutes the formula that has been in use in the Roman Rite in Latin from the earliest centuries. In the past 30 years or so, some approved vernacular texts have carried the interpretive translation “for all”, “per tutti”, or equivalents.

2. There is no doubt whatsoever regarding the validity of Masses celebrated with the use of a duly approved formula containing a formula equivalent to “for all”, as the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has already declared (cf. Sacra Congregatio pro Doctrina Fidei, Declaratio de sensu tribuendo adprobationi versionum formularum sacramentalium, 25 Ianuarii 1974, AAS 66 [1974], 661). Indeed, the formula “for all” would undoubtedly correspond to a correct interpretation of the Lord’s intention expressed in the text. It is a dogma of faith that Christ died on the Cross for all men and women (cf. John 11:52; 2 Corinthians 5,14-15; Titus 2,11; 1 John 2,2).

3. There are, however, many arguments in favour of a more precise rendering of the traditional formula pro multis:

a. The Synoptic Gospels (Mt 26,28; Mk 14,24) make specific reference to “many” ([Greek word transliterated as polloin])) for whom the Lord is offering the Sacrifice, and this wording has been emphasized by some biblical scholars in connection with the words of the prophet Isaiah (53, 11-12). It would have been entirely possible in the Gospel texts to have said “for all” (for example, cf. Luke 12,41); instead, the formula given in the institution narrative is “for many”, and the words have been faithfully translated thus in most modern biblical versions.
b. The Roman Rite in Latin has always said pro multis and never pro omnibus in the consecration of the chalice.
c. The anaphoras of the various Oriental Rites, whether in Greek, Syriac, Armenian, the Slavic languages, etc., contain the verbal equivalent of the Latin pro multis in their respective languages.
d. “For many” is a faithful translation of pro multis, whereas “for all” is rather an explanation of the sort that belongs properly to catechesis.
e. The expression “for many”, while remaining open to the inclusion of each human person, is reflective also of the fact that this salvation is not brought about in some mechanistic way, without one’s willing or participation; rather, the believer is invited to accept in faith the gift that is being offered and to receive the supernatural life that is given to those who participate in this mystery, living it out in their lives as well so as to be numbered among the “many” to whom the text refers.
f. In line with the Instruction Liturgiam authenticam, effort should be made to be more faithful to the Latin texts in the typical editions.

4. The Bishops’ Conferences of those countries where the formula “for all” or its equivalent is currently in use are therefore requested to undertake the necessary catechesis of the faithful on this matter in the next one or two years to prepare them for the introduction of a precise vernacular translation of the formula pro multis (e.g, “for many”, “per molti”, etc.) in the next translation of the Roman Missal that the Bishops and the Holy See will approve for use in their country.

With the expression of my high esteem and respect, I remain, Your Eminence/Your Excellency,

Devotedly Yours in Christ,

Francis Card. Arinze
Prefect

The Western Road Christian Cemetery

Last All Soul's Day, I visited the Western Road Christian Cemetery where my grandfather is buried. Its a very quiet and tranquil place where one can really requiescat in pace. Lush green trees provide shade for the shades of those long departed.

Its not the oldest cemetery in Penang. That honour goes to the Protestant Cemetery in town where the first Governors of the Island including Captain Francis Light, the founder of Penang and many other Anglican dignitaries are interred.

The founder of my alma mater, the Penang Free School, the Anglican Vicar Rev. Robert Sparke Hutchings is interred there too. On the anniversary of the founding of the School on the 21st of October 1816, the non-Muslim members of the Board of Prefects together with the Principal of the School used to visit the grave for a memorial. Not really sure if that practice survived as all the Principals have been Muslim since 2001.

Anyway, back to the point. The Western Road cemetery is fast filling up. Even the side lanes have been utilized for burials. Not much space left. The new proposed one is like miles away from town in Balik Pulau, on the other end of the island.

I'm posting some photos I took of the cemetery some time ago.
First off, here's a general view. Note the trees and general atmosphere of calmness and tranquility. It was also a very beautiful day, with not a trace of haze in sight.

The Catholic Columbarium can be seen below. Nice eh? I think it used to be a chapel where Mass was said on All Soul's though I can't be sure. I don't think it was a columbarium back before they allowed cremation, since it was deemed a denial of the Resurrection of the Dead.

A profile view. Until recently, there was a Mass on All Soul's here before the blessing of the graves. After that, there was a Liturgy of the Word, then a paraliturgy. Now, nothing. The priests just file in and the blessing begins without any fanfare.

A close-up. There's some wear and tear on the facade. This is an old photo. You won't believe what happened to it now.

They've put in a horribly ugly looking blue metal roof that is totally not in keeping with the architecture. I'll try to get a pic of it. What a shame.

The inside. Most of the niches are already occupied. My granduncle is in here too. On the top right.
The is the central cross. I normally use it to navigate around.
My grandfather's grave is in a direct line in front of this cross.

An angel over an old grave, hands raised in supplication. Beautiful, ain't it?

A newer grave with an angel. Look at the peaceful and lush greenery behind it. I'll need to get myself a spot. =)

This grave is on the Protestant side of the cemetery.

Here's an interesting grave.

The story goes that the owner of the dog, Andrew(no relation to your humble scribe) died and his faithful dog came and rested on the grave until it too died.

People then built a statue to honour the dog and placed him on the grave of the master it faithfully served and accompanied, even in death.

Touching story, no? I always liked this grave when I was a kid.

Here's what the dog looks like. Its eyes red in vigilance.

Here's the memorial to the sailors from the Russian Cruiser Zhemchug that was sunk by the German ship, the SMS Emden during the Battle of Penang. This was during the First World War. From Wikipedia:

On October 28th Emden entered the harbour at top speed, still disguised as a British cruiser with the fake fourth smokestack. Once inside the harbor it raised the German flag and began shooting at the Allied ships in the harbor. Emden fired a torpedo at the small Russian cruiser Zhemchug, a veteran of the Battle of Tsushima, which exploded spectacularly. Several other ships fired back at Emden but missed, and several shells ended up hitting other friendly ships in the harbour. As quickly as Emden had arrived, von Müller turned the ship around and made good his escape. The French destroyer Mosquet followed Emden, unwisely, and was quickly sunk by Emdens much heavier guns. Its sister-ship Pistolet also tried to shadow Emden, but soon lost contact.

The memorial was erected by the Russian Government to honour their fallen comrades. I always light a candle when I pass this way for these men who died so far away from their family and homeland.

Here's a parting view of the cemetery where I one day hope to rest.

Requiem æternam dona eis, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis. Te decet hymnus Deus, in Sion, et tibi reddetur votum in Jerusalem. Exaudi orationem meam; ad te omnis caro veniet. Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis.

(“Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. A hymn becometh thee, O God, in Zion, and unto thee a vow shall be repaid in Jerusalem. Hear my prayer; unto thee all flesh shall come. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.”)

Absolve, Domine, animas omnium fidelium defunctorum ab omno vinculo delictorum et gratia tua illis succurente mereantur evadere judicium ultionis, et lucis æterne beatitudine perfrui.

(“Forgive, O Lord, the souls of all the faithful departed from all the chains of their sins and may they deserve to avoid the judgment of revenge by your fostering grace, and enjoy the everlasting blessedness of light.”)

Domine, Jesu Christe, Rex gloriæ, libera animas omnium fidelium defunctorum de poenis inferni et de profundo lacu. Libera eas de ore leonis, ne absorbeat eas tartarus, ne cadant in obscurum; sed signifer sanctus Michael repræsentet eas in lucem sanctam, quam olim Abrahæ promisisti et semini ejus.

(“Lord Jesus Christ, King of glory, free the souls of all the faithful departed from infernal punishment and the deep pit. Free them from the mouth of the lion; do not let Tartarus swallow them, nor let them fall into darkness; but may the sign-bearer, Saint Michael, lead them into the holy light which you promised to Abraham and his seed.”)

Lux æterna luceat eis, Domine, cum sanctis tuis in æternum, quia pius es. Requiem æternam dona eis, Domine; et lux perpetua luceat eis.

(“May everlasting light shine upon them, O Lord, with thy saints in eternity , for thou art merciful. Grant them eternal rest, O Lord, and may everlasting light shine upon them.”)

And for me personally too, I pray:

Libera me, Domine, de morte æterna, in die illa tremenda, quando coeli movendi sunt et terra. Dum veneris judicare sæculum per ignem. Tremens factus sum ego et timeo, dum discussio venerit atque ventura ira. Dies iræ, dies illa, calamitatis et miseriæ, dies magna et amara valde. Requiem æternam dona eis, Domine: et lux perpetua luceat eis.

("Free me, Lord, from eternal death upon that terrible day when heaven and earth shall be moved, when thou comest to judge the world with fire. I am afraid and trembling, on account of the coming judgment and wrath. That day is a day of wrath, of disaster and misery, a great and very bitter day. Grant them eternal rest, O Lord, and may everlasting light shine upon them.")

Rev. Fr. Paul Decroix, MEP's Sacerdotal Diamond Jubilee

The gentleman you see above is the Rev. Fr. Paul Decroix, MEP. He is a French missionary from the Missions étrangères de Paris or the Society of Foreign Missions of Paris. The ever helpful Wikipedia has a brief article here.

The MEP Fathers were the at the forefront of the 2nd wave of missions to the Malay Peninsula and have established many of the parishes here. The first wave of evangelization of course, was carried out by the Portuguese missionaries led by St. Francis Xavier in Malacca during the 1500's. After Catholic worship became illegal during the Protestant Dutch occupation, the Church largely went underground. When the English came, Catholic missionaries such as the MEP followed them.

The former Cathedral of the Assumption was in fact established by the MEP Fathers.

Today Fr. Decroix celebrated the 60th Anniversary of his sacerdotal ordination. Imagine that. 60 years in the service of God and His Church.

Another MEP priest, Fr. Maurice Surmon was supposed to celebrate his 60th anniversary as well but he is currently hospitalized and could not make it. Please pray for him.

Fr. Decroix seen below, in suitably golden vestments.



The Thanksgiving Mass was celebrated in the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit and was attended by 4 bishops and many priests from the Penang Diocese as well as the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur and the Diocese of Malacca-Johore.

The neo-modernist sanctuary of the in-the-round Cathedral can be seen below. The tabernacle is on the right. An open Bible is in the other alcove. The baptismal font obstructs the Bishop's Cathedra which can be partially seen on the left.

His Lordship, the Rt. Rev Antony Selvanayagam, the Bishop of Penang can be seen below. When I came, I visited the Blessed Sacrament Chapel in the back of the Cathedral. As I finished praying, I noticed that the Bishop was praying Vespers in front of me.

He's seen here before Mass.

The seminarians turned out in full force as well. Some of the can be seen here.

His Lordship is now vested for Mass. Beside Bishop Antony is His Lordship the Rt. Rev. James Chan, the Bishop Emeritus of Malacca-Johore.
Somehow, the custom of wearing the pectoral cross over the chasuble can become vogue. Must be the bad influence of Piero Marini.

Ok, lets see. In front, we have another MEP father, Fr. Henriot if I'm not mistaken. Beside him is the Redemptorist Fr. Joe Stephens, CSsR. Behind him is the newly ordained Fr. Dominic Santhiagu, Assistant Priest in OLOL, Silibin. Fr. Dominic is one of this year's 3 new priests.

The other new priest, Fr. Francis Andrew is on the left. I attended his ordination in OLOL, Silibin. Between the 2 priests in the front is Fr. Michael Thoo, the Diocesan Financial Controller and my former parish priest, the earliest I remember.

Msgr. Stephen Liew, the Vicar General is in the front. He is pastor of the Shrine of St. Anne, the largest Catholic Church is West Malaysia. The priest behind him in the white stole is Fr. Michael Cheah from St. Michael's Ipoh.

2 of Fr. Decroix's fellow MEP's are in attendance as well.

The priest at the back looking into the camera is the Assistant Priest in my parish, Fr. Mark Michael.
Behind the bearer of the Book of the Gospels is His Grace, the Most Rev. Nicholas Murphy Xavier Pakiam, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur. Bishop James Chan is beside him. In front is Fr. Peter Bretaudeau, MEP. He celebrated his Golden Jubilee this year and is the concelebrant for this Mass.

Fr. Henry Rajoo, the Assistant Priest at the Cathedral served as the MC.

Here, His Lordship the Rt. Rev Antony Selvanayagam, the Bishop of Penang gives the photographer a menacing look. =)

The mitre was a takeaway gift of the recently concluded Asian Missions Congress themed 'Telling the story of Jesus in Asia'.

The logo can be seen in the front.

The procession makes its way down the very short isle of the Cathedral.

In front of Fr. Decroix is His Grace, the Most Rev. Anthony Soter Fernandez, the Archbishop Emeritus of Kuala Lumpur.
His Grace was the homilist.

The Bishop in his Cathedra. Did not use a flash so the pic had to be touched up.
All the following pics during the Mass were touched up as well.

His Grace, Archbishop Emeritus Soter Fernandez reading the Gospel. His homily touched on the eternal priesthood of Christ and the priest as an alter Christus. Priesthood. For more priests to be visible, they must remove the hood. Hilarious. =)

Part of the priests and people. Those without the stoles are the seminarians. The postulants are behind them but not vested. Most of the priests were on my side. BTW, the Cathedral is air-conditioned. =)

The offertory.
Hic est enim Calix Sanguinis Mei.
Fr. Decroix was using his ordination Chalice.

If you have complaints about the quality of the pictures, kindly direct them to this gentleman here, Matthew. =)
Kid's can take many pics at angles and distances that most of us can't.
And get away with it. =)

Earlier, the Bishop was making a face at him. Here, he gives his response.

Here's Matthew simulating a Mass and trying to consecrate his handkerchief.

A subscription dinner followed. But since I did not have a ticket, it was off home for me.
Wonder what the food was like.