KOTA KINABALU: The scorching weather and logistical challenges have forced the St Thomas More Catholic Church in Kepayan to make changes to its annual Stations of the Cross procession.
Instead of scaling the nearby Paradise Hill, which is as high as a six-storey building, the church got its parishioners to go on house-to-house visits instead.
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“This year, we decided to walk from one house to another to avoid the heatwave,” said Boy @ Johnny Setanis, former chairman of the Rumah Murah Kepayan Catholic Community.
The Stations of the Cross procession, held to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus, is part of the observance for Good Friday marked yesterday.
Parishioners, led by Rev Father Peter Chung, visited 14 houses of churchgoers within the Kepayan Rumah Murah Phase Three and Four vicinity, to symbolise the 14 Stations of the Cross commemorating Jesus’ last day on earth.
The stations are commonly used as a pilgrimage as the individual moves from station to station.
The procession began from the church at 7am yesterday, ending at the same location after making 14 stops.
“The house-to-house visits was a good alternative. Besides, the health department had also given its advice in view of the extreme heat due to the prolonged dry spell,” said Setanis, whose house was among the stops.
At each stop, there was the reading of scriptures and prayers, and contemplation of the Passion of Christ.
A family member from the house is then tasked with carrying the cross to be handed to the next household.
Terisah Batalis said the house visits was also an opportunity for those living nearby to be a part of the procession.
“Every year, we participate in the procession by walking up Paradise Hill but this time, the heat was a little overwhelming. Climbing is also a struggle for me as my legs are not that strong anymore.
“So, when the church decided to do the house visits instead, we were grateful to be able to continue to be part of the tradition,” said the 70-year-old parishioner.
Parishioners were seen carrying umbrellas as they made their way to the church for the Good Friday mass.
They came as early as 1.30pm for the 3pm mass service, in the hope of getting better seats to shelter them from the blazing sun.
Those who came later were seated under tents prepared by the church which had anticipated a large congregation.
For Catholics, the Easter week, or Holy Week, is commemorated through the Easter Triduum that lasts for three days starting with Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday, also known as the Easter Vigil.
The Holy Week concludes with Easter Sunday which marks the resurrection of Jesus.
