St Anne’s Feast celebrates inclusivity at the Minor Basilica

Every July, the Minor Basilica of St Anne in Bukit Mertajam hosts the annual St Anne’s Feast, drawing pilgrims and devotees from around the world.

This year’s celebration, themed “Enlarge the Space of Your Tent” (Isaiah 54:2), emphasises inclusivity, reflecting the church’s rich history of welcoming people from diverse backgrounds.

A gathering of faith and hope

The theme of inclusivity is particularly fitting for St Anne’s Feast, which has become a beacon for not only Christians but also individuals of other faiths seeking hope and miracles.

Reverend Deacon Lazarus Anthony explained the symbolism of the tent, “Unlike any other building material, the tent is a flexible and portable shelter that can be extended to accommodate our preferred number of people.

Here at the Minor Basilica, everyone is welcome regardless of race or religion.”

Rev Deacon Lazarus highlighted the church’s long-standing tradition of inclusivity, “St Anne is the personification of God’s love for the world, and this is a ground that many claim has answered prayers and worked miracles for families in need.

Just like every year, on behalf of the Minor Basilica, I pray and hope for everyone’s safety, especially those travelling from far away to attend the feast.

May this gathering help to strengthen the bonds of the different races and religions in the country.”

St Anne’s Feast celebration schedule

The nine-day novena begins on 19 July, with masses held in English, Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin, and Tamil until 27 July.

An open-air mass is scheduled for 27 July, followed by the annual procession, led by Catholic Bishop of Penang, Cardinal Datuk Seri Sebastian Francis.

The final English mass will be on 28 July, concluding the festivities for the year.

This year’s St Anne’s Feast is expected to attract over 100,000 pilgrims and devotees.

Preparations are already underway at the Minor Basilica, with more than 2,000 volunteers, including personnel from the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP), the People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela), and 24-hour ambulance services, ensuring the safety and smooth running of the events.

In addition to the spiritual activities, the feast will also focus on environmental sustainability. Food donations will be limited to 26-28 July during specific times, and Rev Deacon Lazarus encourages attendees to bring recyclable containers for Holy Water.

“We are trying to cultivate environmentally friendly practices among the people,” he added.

The annual feast not only celebrates faith but also fosters a sense of community and unity among diverse groups.

The Minor Basilica of St Anne continues to be a place where miracles are believed to happen, and where inclusivity is not just a theme, but a living practice.

St Anne’s Feast at the Minor Basilica in Bukit Mertajam is more than a religious event; it’s a celebration of faith, inclusivity, and community.

As pilgrims from all walks of life come together, the feast strengthens bonds across different races and religions, embodying the spirit of unity.

Join the celebration from 19 to 28 July and experience the power of inclusivity at St Anne’s Feast.

For more details on the event and schedule, visit the official website of the Minor Basilica of St Anne.

Source: Buletin Mutiara