125th Anniversary of Shrine of St Anne

PENANG- Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims both locally and internationally flock St Anne’s Church for its 125th Anniversary from 19th July to 28th July 2013.

The annual Feast of St Anne’s celebration, which attracted hundred thousands of pilgrims, not only locally but also from nearby Asian countries, was celebrated this year from 19 July to 28 July.  The theme for this year was ‘Deepening our faith’.

The feast celebration was held at the Church of St Anne, Bukit Mertajam, Penang.

This year, it was special, as it is the 125th anniversary of the Shrine of St Anne. The Shrine of St Anne is where pilgrims enter to offer their vows/petitions or to thank St Anne for their previous vows fulfilled.

They pray with lighted candles and after their prayers, they offer candles and flowers to St Anne. Some made donations in honour of St Anne.

St Anne’s Shrine
Inside the Shrine: offering up petitions together with candles and flowers to St Anne.

Next to the Shrine, is the  church with its majestic Minangkabau roof. This is where the novena prayers and Masses were held.

St Anne's statue in the foreground with the Church in the background.
St Anne’s statue in the foreground with the Church in the background.

From 19 July, pilgrims already started trickling in but the numbers hugely increased on 26 July, the actual feast-day and the weekend of 27 and 28 July.

On  Friday, 26 July, after the 7.00pm Mass, there was a procession on the streets. This was the first time after about 10 years that the procession went out on the street.

As it was the 125th anniversary of the Shrine, the parish priest, Fr Henry Rajoo, wanted to make it a special memorable year.

The procession saw three different kinds of ‘floats’ moving slowly on the streets, with thousands of pilgrims and devotees following, including the religious and clergy.

Apart from the usual statue of St Anne with her daughter, Mary, there were the Blessed Sacrament float and the replica of the Shrine float.

Float:  The statue of St Anne and her daugter, Mary
Float: The statue of St Anne and her daugter, Mary
Float:  The Blessed Sacrament
Float: The Blessed Sacrament
Photo credit: Tang Chong Aun
Float:  Replica of St Anne's Shrine
Float: Replica of St Anne’s Shrine
Photo credit: Tang Chong Aun

The Blessed Sacrament float, with the Bishop of Penang, Bishop Sebastian Francis and a few other priest on board, made five stops to ‘bless’ the people and the street.

On the following day, Saturday, 27 July,  there was a  Mass  celebrated by the Apostolic Nuncio to Malaysia, Archbishop Joseph Marino, along with Bishop Sebastian Francis and lots of other priests.

Holy Mass, celebrated by Archbishop Joseph Marino (centre). Left is Bishop Sebastian while on right is parish priest, Fr Henry Rajoo
Holy Mass, celebrated by Archbishop Joseph Marino (centre).
Left is Bishop Sebastian while on right is parish priest, Fr Henry Rajoo
Photo credit: Tang Chong Aun

The Chief Minister of Penang, Lim Guan Eng dropped in during the Mass.

Archbishop Joseph Marino greeting the Penang CM
Archbishop Joseph Marino greeting the Penang CM
Photo credit: Tang Chong Aun

After the Mass, there was a ceremony of ‘crowning’ the statue of St Anne and Mother Mary, followed by the burning of petitions (which were written on small pieces of paper). This was followed by a candle-light procession that went round the church’s sprawling grounds.  The statue of St Anne with Mary,  on a wooden palanquin was carried by  volunteers.

Statue of St Anne and Mary, carried by volunteers
Statue of St Anne and Mary, carried by volunteers
Photo credit: Tang Chong Aun

When the procession ended, the people were treated to  fireworks, followed by a concert that rocked through till midnight.

One of the item during the concert
One of the item during the concert
Photo credit: Tang Chong Aun
Religious items, like statue, posters, medals, etc. were on sale
Religious items, like statue, posters, medals, etc. were on sale
T-shirts with meaningful messages were on sale
T-shirts with meaningful messages were on sale
St Anne's souvenir, like bags and umbrellas were on sale. Also on sale were candles, holy water and St Anne's plastic bottle for filling up of holy water.
St Anne’s souvenir, like bags and umbrellas were on sale. Also on sale were candles, holy water and St Anne’s plastic bottle for filling up of holy water.
St Anne's water, where many people, not only filled it up in the bottles they bought but used it to wipe their face or clean their hands and feet. Some even take a sip from it directly.
St Anne’s water, where many people, not only filled it up in the bottles they bought but used it to wipe their face or clean their hands and feet. Some even take a sip from it directly.
Climbing up a hillock behind the Shrine.
Climbing up a hillock behind the Shrine.
At the top of the hillock, people offered prayers
At the top of the hillock, people offered prayers

More photos can be found at the St Anne’s Facebook

Related articles:
Pilgrims thanked St Anne by the thousands
Feast of St Anne at Bukit Mertajam 

 

Lucia Lai