BUKIT MERTAJAM: Some 3,000 people thronged the Minor Basilica of St Anne here on the first day of the 10-day St Anne’s Feast.
Church deacon Rev Lazarus Anthony Jonathan said he did not expect such a large crowd on the first day who also attended several masses on Friday.
The event is one of the country’s largest religious celebrations and is an annual tourist attraction.
After two years of scaled-down celebrations and virtual events by the church due to the Covid-19 pandemic, he said more than 100,000 people were expected to attend the event this time.
Rev Lazarus also said pilgrims who attended mass on Friday were seen wearing their masks and following the Covid-19 standard operating procedure.
The theme for this year’s feast is “Salt of the Earth & Light of the World”.
Rev Lazarus said mass would be held both indoors and outdoors with strict SOP to be followed.
“Those attending the indoor mass must wear their masks while those attending the outdoor mass are encouraged to wear their masks as the area around it is going to be crowded,” he added.
On July 30, the statue of St Anne and her daughter, Mother Mary, will be carried on a wooden palanquin by volunteers over a 6km-long procession joined by thousands of pilgrims.
The procession has been a tradition and a significant event in Bukit Mertajam as it passes several major streets.
Before the procession at 8.30pm, a multilingual mass will be held at 7pm on the day.
“We hope this year’s celebration will spread a message of hope to the people (with regards to) the pandemic,” he said.
Pilgrims are expected from all over Malaysia and also from countries such as Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Myanmar.
St Anne has been known as an intercessor of healing, especially with marriage and family.
