By Sarah Marimuthu-Lo
KUCHING — Amidst the Easter festivities, St Joseph’s Cathedral witnessed a heartwarming celebration as 81 candidates embraced the Sacrament of Baptism in Bahasa Malaysia (BM), 35 in English, and 17 in Mandarin. Additionally, 45 individuals from the BM and English-speaking groups were formally received into the Roman Catholic Church, while 31 Baptised Catholics completed their Sacrament of Initiation.
The ceremony was not merely a ritualistic event but a profound journey of faith and transformation for the neophytes, as shared by one of them: “R.C.I.A. showed a lot of things to me regarding life; after attending a few Sessions, my trust in God grew deeper compared to before. Thus, I would encourage people to pray more, devote their lives to God and have full faith and trust in God. Life will become totally perfect when you start to offer everything to God.”
For many, the transition to Catholicism was accompanied by a shift in perceptions. One participant reflected, “Catholics, in my first impression, are a very conservative and somewhat strict group of people, which changes as I grew more accustomed to their way of life, attending Masses and rites, as well as joining into praying with my fellow Catholics-to-be.” The transformative moment came after the Life in the Spirit Seminar, signifying that embracing Catholicism is not merely about religion but about embracing a rich heritage of teachings passed down from apostles of the past.
The journey of these candidates symbolises not just a personal spiritual awakening but a communal celebration of faith and unity. As they embark on this new chapter, they carry with them the blessings of Easter and the teachings of the Church, embracing a life devoted to God and His teachings.
The Easter celebrations at St Joseph’s Cathedral serve as a poignant reminder of the enduring power of faith and the transformative journey of those who choose to walk the path of Catholicism.
