Celebration of Catholic Mass at Mount Kinabalu

The summit of Mt. Kinabalu at over 4,095.2 metre has been a favorite backdrop for many record-setting events. Some 30 years after late bishop Datuk Simon Fung of the then Diocese of Sabah celebrated mass on the highest point in South East Asia, a similar attempt was accomplished last month as catholics worldwide entered the season of lent, a 40-day period of fasting, abstinence and alms giving before Easter.

It culminated in a group of parishioners from the St John's Church of Tuaran celebrating mass near low's peak. Already, a group of seminarians and aspirants will do the same in May and the would be clergy to be led by co-adjuctant Bishop John Wong, and his successor as priest-in-charge of the aspirants, Rev Fr Wilfred Atin.

In the February mission, a group of 24 parishioners from the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement of the St John's Church led by Rev Fr Rayner Bisius succeeded in having mass amid the craggy peaks above the clouds after two earlier attempts failed due to bad weather.

'We thank God that we finally succeeded in celebrating mass there in line with the theme of the climb, Journey of Faith.' Fr Rayner told the Daily Express.'

Asked why did they decided to try it and the theme, the assistant rector of St. John's parish explained that it was in line with the 'Year of Faith' declared by the Pope for this year.

I feel grateful to God, happy awesome...words cannot describe. Our mountain guide said we were lucky because it had been raining the few days before our assault,' said Fr Rayner, on how he felt after the mass.

On whether the group would do it again next year or make it an annual event, the priest said 'may be, why not' adding that preparation for the recent trip started last year and that there was a lot of training and praying as the trip got nearer.

Joining the group recently was Rev Fr Mathius Augustine of Bundu Tuhan.

The feat by the St. John's Church CCR group is expected to spark a renewed interest in other catholic churches throughout sabah doing the same.

Mountains played an important part in the history of Christianity.

Throughout the bible, there were many significant incidents and the ten commandments, Jesus fasted for 40 days and later tempted by the devil on a mountain, the sermon on the mount, just to name a few.


Source: Daily Express, Special Report, Sunday, March 11,2012