By Ivy Chai
KUCHING — The Pontifical Holy Childhood under the Pontifical Mission Societies for Malaysia Singapore and Brunei, organised the 19th Worldwide Children’s Eucharistic Holy Hour on 1 October. It was live-streamed from St Joseph’s Cathedral, Kuching making it the second year the event had to be celebrated online because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Children’s Holy Hour was organised in conjunction with the month of October, dedicated to the work of Mission and Rosary devotion. World Mission Day on 24 October, highlights the celebration of the mission month.
As the Episcopal President for the Pontifical Mission Societies for Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei, Kuching Archbishop Simon Poh, together with the Pontifical Societies’ diocesan directors, welcomed all the children tuning in.
The pandemic SOP barred young children in Church, so children from different dioceses in Malaysia and Brunei led the Mission Rosary in their own respective languages from a recorded video. Fr Galvin Richard Ngumbang, Fr Benard Jim Bujang and Deacon Mark Bonchol assisted them by reflecting on the 5 Luminous Mysteries during the live telecast from the Cathedral.
Archbishop Simon Poh explained that Mission Month is meditating on the life of Jesus. “It begins with Jesus and his Baptism, his first miracle at the Wedding Feast at Canna, Jesus going about preaching the Good News and the Kingdom of God, and then the Transfiguration and Last Supper, where he showed his love for us before the passion.” He added that “In praying the Rosary before the Blessed Sacrament we meditate on the life of Jesus because Jesus is present.”
Prayers to St Jacinta and St Francisco, as well as prayers for peace and entrustment were also recited, with a special invitation by the Archbishop at the closing, to the young children to take part in the ‘Children Helping Children’ sharing and praying project. The love offerings in their collection boxes will be sent to the Pope in Rome for distribution to the needy.
The final song ‘Our Lady of Fatima’ was offered to Mother Mary to honour her as Queen of the Rosary.
