LABUAN: Catholics here will usher a “new” Blessed Sacrament Church on April 29. It was rebuilt at its original site at cost of RM7.4 million with a seating capacity for 1,800 and faces Botanical garden across the road.
Resident priest Fr Thomas Madanan said the elaborate consecration ceremony would be led by head of the KK Archdiocese, Archbishop John Wong, together with several other priests.
On the church design Fr Thomas said the huge stained glass on the walls were meaningful and made the church look beautiful both from inside and outside.
Each stained glass highlighted a significant episode in the Bible.
He said the seeds of the faith were sown here in 1855 when Labuan was called Victoria Island when Spanish mariner turned priest Mgr. Don Carlos Cuarteroni arrived and held the first mass on April 16, two days later. I never stopped growing after that.
In 1932 the church known as Corpus Cristine (Body of Christ) was established by Fr Stotter and this was extended in 1963 followed by another redo by Fr Aloysius Tung in 1970.
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Fr Thomas also said over the years other holy features were incorporated in the church compound to give added spiritual significance such as the Spiritual Garden of St Joseph with an 8-foot imported statue of St Joseph, the replica of Tomb of Jesus and a statue fast fact plaque of Don Carlos.
“These additions elevated the status of the church as making it a tourism icon as well regularly attracting pilgrims around including from Singapore,” said Fr Thomas.
Parishioner James Simon described the new church as a symbol of “sweat and struggle” by parishioners. Since 2020 holding bazaars and other activities to meet financial obligations were a never ending story but everyone chipped in without complaint.
Encouraging support came from Fr Thomas and the Bishop.
James recalled during one bazaar the bishop himself played chef to boost sales and donation.
“Everyone’s efforts made the prayer answered,” said James.
