By Ivy Chai
KUCHING — On 6 June 2021 at the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, Catholics celebrated the memorial of Christ’s sacrificial love and real presence in the Eucharist. ‘Corpus Christi’ is Latin for ‘Body of Christ’.
Christian faithful attending their second year Corpus Christi Sunday Mass live-streamed from the Archdiocese of Kuching, were brought back to the poignant scene of last year’s Mass. The presider, Archbishop Simon Poh had then given his assurance that at ‘Spiritual Communion’, the Lord’s blessings would come to them through their belief of the real presence of Jesus. “Focus on the consecrated host in the monstrance and tell Jesus your needs,” he had said.
Similarly at this year’s Mass, Archbishop Simon encouraged his audience to, “Bring to Jesus your needs…pains, sickness, anxiety, loneliness. Bring to Jesus, friends who are not well…” The prelate recommended everyone to be in communion with him while he was celebrating Mass at the Cathedral by reciting the words: “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof; but only say the word and I shall be healed.”
He sang the hymn, “This is My Body, broken for you… This is My Blood poured out for you…,” during Spiritual Communion. Christian faithful must keep their faith and hope, never despair and intercede and pray to the Father for an end to the pandemic.
The 8.00 AM English Mass concluded with a short Exposition and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Archbishop Simon Poh then proceeded to carry the Blessed Sacrament in the monstrance to the front of the Cathedral to ask Jesus to bless the city, the adjacent mission schools, the refurbishment project of St Joseph’s Cathedral (live-stream site) and all families.
Testimonies received after the live-streaming Mass:
“I felt peace and God’s mercy for everyone.”
“I shed tears when I lifted up my friend’s daughter and 11 members of her family infected with COVID-19.”
“So touched when Archbishop lifted up the monstrance. Felt God’s love.”
“I am sure God will bless Sarawak. I felt a sense of peace when I lifted up the soul of my recently departed mum. Jesus is so near to the broken hearted this morning.”
The Chinese and Bahasa Malaysia Corpus Christi Masses that followed, were celebrated by Fr Joseph Liew and Fr Galvin Richard Ngumbang, respectively, with the processions led by the Archbishop.
