It’s dial-a-bishop as St Anne’s Feast goes online

 

Penang Bishop Sebastian Francis carrying out prayers at St Anne’s Church at the launch of the feast recently. (St Anne’s Church pic)

BUKIT MERTAJAM: There is a strange lull on the streets near St Anne’s church again this year, which would otherwise host 100,000-odd pilgrims from all over the world.

Pandemic travel restrictions have forced them to skip one of Penang’s most celebrated religious festivals for the second straight year.

The food stalls, souvenir shops, florists and candle shops no longer line the streets.

But the church has taken steps to ensure pilgrims will be able to carry out their prayers to the grandmother of Jesus Christ from the comfort of their home.

For the nine days running up to the feast on Aug 1, Penang Bishop Sebastian Francis and 10 others, including nuns, priests and deacons, will take five-minute phone calls for those who would like to give thanks and prayers.

Church deacon Lazarus Jonathan said more than 100 calls were received since the hotlines were opened yesterday.

Church members taking five-minute prayer calls from pilgrims. (St Anne’s Church pic)

Most of the callers wanted prayers for the Covid-19 pandemic to be over.

“Some have called to pray to calm their anxieties before being vaccinated. Some are also asking for jobs. We would pray on their behalf for five to six minutes in each call,” Lazarus told FMT.

St Anne is the patron saint of mothers and women in labour and minors, and is held in great esteem not just by Catholics, but also people of other faiths. Many couples without children after many years of married life also make petitions to St Anne that they will be blessed with a child.

He said pilgrims and devotees who live nearby can light candles and make offerings of garlands and flowers via church helpers standing by at the gates of the church.

Those wanting to offer donations to the church and the poor, and those who want to view a live stream of the prayers can visit www.minorbasilicastannebm.com or https://youtu.be/mQxBmD13isU

Lazarus said that the church, in support of the white flag movement, will feed the hungry and poor by handing over food and other household necessities. Those who would like to donate can do so at Dewan St Anne’s for the next 10 days until Aug 1, from 7am to 7pm.

The church was elevated in status to that of a minor basilica by Pope Francis in 2019.

St Anne is seen as the matriarch who oversees the happiness of the family by ensuring the well-being of children, forging lasting marriages and uniting families. (St Anne’s Church pic)

St Anne’s Feast falls on July 26, but the celebration is usually held over the weekend. In normal times, a candlelight procession and vigil are held on Saturday while the thanksgiving masses are held on Sunday.

During the nine-day prayers leading to the feast day, devotees flock to the old church and its newer sister church, located 3km away, to recite the rosary, attend mass, make their confessions and take part in the candlelight procession on the eve of the feast day.

Devotion to St Anne is an ancient tradition that can be traced as far back as the 6th century. In 1378, Pope John IV authorised the observation of this special day annually.

St Anne is seen as the matriarch who oversees the happiness of the family by ensuring the well-being of children, forging lasting marriages and uniting families. Many have said that their prayers were answered and illnesses healed after praying to her. - FMT