Popular Churches in Sarawak: Catholic Jubilee Pilgrimage Centres in Kuching
The Jubilee Year 2025, proclaimed by Pope Francis, is a significant event for Catholics worldwide with popular churches in Sarawak also cementing their place as pilgrimage centres for the Catholic Jubilee.
In Kuching, Sarawak, this holy year is marked by the designation of several pilgrimage centres where the faithful can seek spiritual renewal and grace. These popular churches in Kuching not only serve as places of worship but also as sanctuaries for reflection, prayer, and spiritual growth.
Here is a detailed look at the popular churches in Sarawak that serve as Catholic Jubilee pilgrimage centres within the Archdiocese of Kuching.
1. St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Kuching
St. Joseph’s Cathedral, the mother church of the Archdiocese of Kuching, is a central pilgrimage site for the Jubilee Year 2025. Established in 1881, this popular church in Sarawak is renowned for its stunning architecture and serene atmosphere.
Archbishop Simon Poh inaugurated the Jubilee Year at this cathedral by opening the Holy Door, symbolizing a gateway to spiritual renewal and reconciliation. Pilgrims visiting St. Joseph’s Cathedral can participate in various liturgical celebrations, including the Jubilee Mass, and engage in personal prayer and reflection.
2. Catholic Memorial and Pilgrimage Centre, Mount Singai
Located in Bau, the Catholic Memorial and Pilgrimage Centre on Mount Singai is another significant site for Jubilee pilgrims. This centre is accessible via a climb up wooden steps, offering a journey of physical and spiritual ascent.
The site features the Stations of the Cross, a chapel, and an open-air amphitheatre, providing a tranquil setting for prayer and meditation. Pilgrims can reflect on their faith journey while enjoying the natural beauty of Mount Singai.
3. St. Peter’s Church, Padungan
St. Peter’s Church in Padungan is also designated as a Jubilee pilgrimage centre. Known for its active parish community and vibrant religious activities, St. Peter’s Church offers pilgrims a place to deepen their faith through communal worship and personal devotion.
The church’s welcoming environment makes it an ideal location for pilgrims seeking spiritual growth and renewal.
4. Gethsemane Pilgrimage Centre, Bunan
The Gethsemane Pilgrimage Centre in Bunan is a serene retreat for Jubilee pilgrims. This centre provides a peaceful environment for reflection and prayer, away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Pilgrims visiting Gethsemane can engage in spiritual exercises and participate in retreats designed to foster a deeper connection with God. The centre’s natural surroundings enhance the experience of solitude and contemplation.
5. Mount Hosanna Chapel, Sri Aman
Mount Hosanna Chapel in Sri Aman is another key pilgrimage site for the Jubilee Year. This chapel, situated on a hill, offers a panoramic view of the surrounding area, symbolizing the spiritual heights that pilgrims aspire to reach.
The chapel is a place of quiet reflection and prayer, where pilgrims can seek God’s grace and mercy during the Jubilee Year. The journey to Mount Hosanna Chapel is both a physical and spiritual ascent, embodying the essence of pilgrimage.
Other Pilgrimage Centres in Malaysia
Including from the designated pilgrimage centres within the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kuching (which also happen to be among popular churches in Sarawak), there are about 35 of such centres across Malaysia.
24 of these centres are located in in East Malaysia with 11 being in Sarawak and another 13 in Sabah, while 11 more are spread across West Malaysia.
The full list of pilgrimage centres in Malaysia can be seen in the image obtained from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Kota Kinabalu below.
About the Catholic Jubilee Year 2025
The Catholic Jubilee Year 2025, proclaimed by Pope Francis, is a significant event in the life of the Church, marking the 2,025th anniversary of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ.
Jubilee years, also known as Holy Years, are special periods of grace and spiritual renewal that occur every 25 years. The most recent ordinary Jubilee Year was in 2000, with an Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy held in 2015-2016.
The Jubilee Year 2025 officially begun on December 24, 2024, with the opening of the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. This symbolic act represents the opening of a path to salvation and renewal.
Holy Doors will also be opened at other major basilicas in Rome, including St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major, and St. Paul Outside the Walls.
The theme for Jubilee 2025 is “Pilgrims of Hope,” emphasizing the need to rekindle hope and trust in the future. Pope Francis has called for the year 2024 to be dedicated to a “great symphony of prayer” in preparation for the Jubilee, encouraging the faithful to engage in prayer, reconciliation, and acts of mercy.
During the Jubilee Year, Catholics are invited to make pilgrimages to designated holy sites, participate in special liturgical celebrations, and seek the Jubilee Indulgence, which involves the remission of temporal punishment for sins.
For those unable to travel to Rome, local bishops will designate cathedrals or popular Catholic shrines as special places of prayer and pilgrimage.
According to Catholic Life, the Jubilee Year 2025 aims to foster a deeper relationship with God, promote reconciliation, and inspire a renewed commitment to living out the Gospel. It is a time for Catholics worldwide to come together in faith, hope, and love, seeking spiritual renewal and transformation.
