A True Test of Faith
Article written by A.F. Patricks
The Feast of St. Faustina was celebrated in grand style at the Church of the Divine Mercy (CDM), Shah Alam, on Saturday, 5th October 2024. The celebration began with a sunset Mass at 6:00 pm, followed by a solemn candlelight procession along the main roads surrounding the church, and concluded with the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Wojciech Zaluski, Apostolic Nuncio to Malaysia, alongside Reverend Father Andrew Manikam, parish priest of St. Francis of Assisi (Cheras), and our own beloved parish priest, Reverend Father George Harrison.
This year’s event was a special one as it combined the Feast of St. Faustina with the annual Rosary Relay in honour of Our Lady, as well as a tribute to the Blessed Sacrament, which remained the central focus of the entire celebration. The procession featured three beautifully decorated floats, each rich with meaning.
The first float, themed around Divine Mercy, showcased a large framed image of the Divine Mercy along with St. Faustina and St. Pope John Paul II. This was to commemorate St. Faustina’s great dedication and trust in the Divine Mercy throughout her life. St. Pope John Paul II, known as the “Great Mercy Pope,” was also highlighted as a faithful apostle of Divine Mercy and a devoted follower of the Blessed Virgin.
At the heart of the procession was the second float, gloriously displaying the Blessed Sacrament. The float was adorned with a magnificent satin canopy, embroidered with golden lace fit for a King—the King of Kings. It was beautifully illuminated and decorated with flowers, featuring a high platform for the Monstrance and a kneeler for adoration. Reverend Father Andrew Manikam was given the honour of accompanying the Blessed Sacrament, while Archbishop Wojciech Zaluski and Father George Harrison walked reverently behind.
The third float honoured the Blessed Virgin Mary. Our Lady, resplendent in her glory, was surrounded by pink, red, and white flowers at her feet. It was a blessed sight to see her following gracefully behind the Blessed Sacrament, a reminder of her humility and devotion throughout her life. “O Queen of the Holy Rosary, pray for us,” was the prayer on every heart as she passed by.
Around 1,500 parishioners and friends of CDM participated in the candlelight procession, while others chose to remain in the church, following the event on large projection screens. The spiritual excitement in the air was hard to ignore. The highlight of the evening was the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, where the entire church, packed to capacity, bowed in deep reverence and worship. It was a profoundly spiritual experience for many, bringing healing and renewal to all who attended.
After the event, the parishioners stayed for light refreshments and fellowship until 10:30 pm. Many praised the event for reviving the tradition of public processions, something that had been forgotten by some, especially the younger generation who had never experienced it before.
For the organising committee, the event was not without its challenges. With weeks of continuous rain and even flash floods in Shah Alam, there was uncertainty about whether the procession would take place as planned. A contingency plan was in place to hold the celebration within the church grounds, but this would have meant missing out on the full experience of the first-ever “Threefold Celebration at CDM Shah Alam.”
In what felt like a true test of faith, we encouraged each other to pray for clear skies as the day drew near. The morning of 5th October was bright and sunny, lifting everyone’s spirits as we believed our prayers had been answered. However, as evening approached, rain began to fall at 4:00 pm, causing doubt to creep in. By 6:30 pm, it was still drizzling heavily, and hopes for the procession began to fade. Yet, just as the congregation approached Holy Communion during Mass, the rain miraculously stopped. It was a moment of overwhelming relief and joy—a testament to the power of prayer and faith.
On a personal note, I felt deeply reassured by the Lord’s blessing of such gracious weather, even after I had doubted His glory. Truly, Lord, You are God, and I am sorry for ever doubting Your grace. We now look forward to future events at CDM Shah Alam, with confidence that God will continue to guide us on our journey towards His glory. All praise and honour belong to our God. Amen.