KOTA KINABALU — The Catholic Church in Malaysia launched the Perjalanan Salib (Journey of the Cross) on April 3, at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. This marks the beginning of an 18-month pilgrimage that will unite the nine arch/dioceses across Malaysia in a shared experience of prayer, reflection, and community.
The Perjalanan Salib is a significant initiative leading up to the Malaysia Pastoral Convention 2026 (MPC 2026), which will be the first-ever gathering of all nine arch/dioceses in Malaysia. This journey of faith is part of the larger effort to strengthen the unity of the Church in Malaysia, a vision that has been in progress since 2018 under the theme “Celebrate, Listen, Walk as One Church”.
The launch coincided with the Malaysian Catholic Youth Day (MCYD), which took place from March 31 to April 6, In the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu. On the fourth day of the event, a solemn ceremony began at 3.00pm with the Blessing and Veneration of the Cross. Nine crosses, representing the arch/dioceses of Malaysia, were brought in procession by three representatives from each diocese and placed before the altar. Each cross, adorned with the national flower of Malaysia, the Hibiscus (Bunga Raya), symbolises Christ’s victory over the world, His reconciliation with the Father, and unity among all people through the Holy Spirit.
The Hibiscus also carries a deeper significance as a national symbol of love, independence, and unity. Cardinal Sebastian Francis, who presided over the Mass, explained that the crosses represent the strength of the Malaysian Church’s faith and its journey towards unity. He emphasised that the Perjalanan Salib is a spiritual journey, not just a physical one, aimed at fostering communion and solidarity among the faithful.
During his homily, Cardinal Sebastian urged the youth of MCYD — who were joined by delegates from Brunei, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Macau — to embrace their role as disciples and witnesses of Christ. He reminded them that, as followers of Jesus, they were entrusted with a universal mission: to spread love, faith, hope, and life to others.
He further encouraged the youth to take practical steps in living out their faith. “Do the most fundamental thing first — introduce Jesus to others. When you know Him, you will love. When you love, you will care. When you care, you will long for Him, and when you long for Him, you will be open to His grace and blessings,” he said.
Cardinal Sebastian also highlighted four key areas of focus for the youth in their faith journey: building small communities within the Church; strengthening families; enriching community values, and increasing ecological awareness. These, he said, are essential gifts from God, which they must share as part of their mission to bring the joy of the Gospel to others, especially young people. The Perjalanan Salib, which will last until September 2026, aims to bring the cross to every corner of Malaysia, including remote areas, as it travels from one parish to the next. The cross serves as a focal point for prayer and reflection, inviting the faithful to reflect on the message of the Gospel and to support one another in the spirit of unity.
At the conclusion of the Mass, the nine crosses were handed to the diocesan coordinators, who will carry them back to their dioceses. Each coordinator received a token of the mission — a prayer card of Saint Helena of the Cross, patroness of new discoveries. Before departing, Cardinal Sebastian led all the participants in a prayer to St Helena, entrusting them with the task of promoting the journey and its mission in their communities.
As the cross travels through Malaysia, it will unite the faithful in prayer and reflection, leading up to the Malaysia Pastoral Convention 2026, where all the dioceses will come together for a shared experience of discernment and communion.
The bishops of Malaysia are hopeful that the Perjalanan Salib will deepen the faith of all those involved and foster a strong, united Church in the country. Cardinal Sebastian expressed his desire for the journey to culminate in a profound synodal experience, guided by the Holy Spirit, where all the faithful, including those from neighbouring countries, will be united in faith and mission.
 on April 3, at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart.){kind=link}