By Shannon Wei
KUCHING — The easing of Covid-19 restrictions finally allowed Catholic burial grounds across Sarawak to open for All Souls Day on 2 November, the first time since the start of the pandemic.
St Joseph’s Cathedral Cemetery, which allowed a maximum of 100 visitors at a time, was visibly filled with more flowers, candles and visitors to the graves, compared to last year’s closure.
The Commemoration of All Souls was livestreamed beginning at 8.00 am from the Bishops Memorial Park located at the entrance to the Cemetery. Archbishop Simon Poh presided over the service for the blessing of the cemetery, assisted by Fr Galvin Ngumbang, Fr Benard Bujang and Deacon Mark Bonchol.
In remembrance of those who had passed, the Archbishop invited all to pray for their departed loved ones, and to comfort one another with the assurance of faith.
“The cemetery next to the church is a reminder for us that those who have gone before us are also a part of our living community,” he said.
“Today on All Souls Day, we remember all who have gone before us in faith, that God will see them and bring them to the Father’s house.
“And so it is by faith that we who believe in Jesus and who die with Him are assured of rising with Him.”
Watching over the scene was a statue of Jesus the Good Shepherd, honoured with a ring of flowers and lighted candles in commemoration of the departed.
In annual tradition, the Archbishop blessed the holy water and incensed the area surrounding the graves of the departed, starting with the recently completed Bishops Memorial Park.
The priests then made their way to the cemetery, sprinkling holy water as they walked past rows of graves.
The All Souls Day Mass was celebrated at the Cathedral immediately after the blessing of the cemetery was presided over by Fr Galvin with Deacon Mark assisting.
