Catholics gathered for the blessing and inauguration of the Shrine of Mary Immaculate at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Sibu, Sarawak.
English lecturer Eta Ting, who was among the crowd of 3,000 faithful, was in awe of the 5.5m statue.
“Mary is seen as the greatest intercessor, especially through prayers like the Rosary and novenas, which bring souls closer to salvation,” she said.
Sibu Bishop Right Reverend Joseph Hii said in his homily that it was named the Shrine of Mary Immaculate because the Legion of Mary in Sibu was among the strongest Catholic Marian movements in Malaysia.
He said that when the Legion of Mary was founded on Sept 7, 1921 in Dublin, Ireland, members served God and their neighbours through prayer and active works of service under the powerful leadership of Mary.
Rev. Hii said the image of Mary with her arms spread in a welcoming pose and foot on the head of a serpent was very meaningful.
The three bridges leading to the shrine represent the wooden planks parishioners crossed to reach the church in the past, he added.
“Our church − if the older generation remembers − was on the opposite side, now Sibu Gateway,” said Rev. Hii.
“Before there were all these buildings, we had the wooden planks which we used to go to the church, convent and school.
“In a way it reminds us of our history, and history is important to know who we are,” said the bishop.
He also thanked everyone who contributed to the shrine. — By ANDY CHUA
