Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We continue to live the Easter experience through a pilgrimage that takes us to North and Central Johore. My Cathedral, my home is also my family. Thus we shall journey spiritually as the Cathedral family. We travel and pray together so that we can grow closer as one family. The pilgrimage is timely so that we may take ownership of our belonging in this spiritual family. We will have many opportunities to be brothers and sisters to each other.
A pilgrimage is an image of life itself. Lumen gentium in Vatican 2 speaks of the Church as the “pilgrim Church on a journey to the eternal Jerusalem”. Gaudium et spes describes the Church as a community of disciples “led by the Holy Spirit in their journey to the Kingdom of the Father”.
Thus a pilgrimage is life in miniature. In normal everyday life we experience both joys and sorrows. Likewise in a pilgrimage too, where we will experience triumphs and encounter tribulations. Our ability to weather them is a form of spiritual training, an exercise that allows us to enjoy life as well as to shoulder its burdens.
The places we visit are Churches dedicated to God. We go there praying that we be strengthened in our Christian way of life and along the journey, there will be many occasions to practise works of charity. In visiting the Churches, let the example of our faith, hope and love enrich those whom we meet. May we also be inspired by their hospitality to be generous and kind to one another.
Let us embark upon this Easter pilgrimage in a spirit of generosity beseeching God for the grace to grow as a community united by (1) the teachings of Apostles, (2) the genuine expression of our solidarity, (3) the deep devotion in the celebration the Eucharist and (4) the passion and intensity of our prayers.
May the Lord who has called us, guide and direct our journey in safety. May He be the Companion along the journey. May He grant that this pilgrimage begun in Him, relying on Him, will end happily with His protection.
“Blessed are those whose strength is in You, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage” (Ps 84:5)
God bless,
Padre.
亲爱的主内弟兄姐妹，
通过前往柔佛北部和中部的朝圣之旅，我们将继续体验复活节。我的主教座堂、我的家，也是我的家人。因此，我们将以主教座堂大家庭的身份进行属灵之旅。我们一起旅行、一起祈祷，以使我们这个大家庭的关系更加紧密。这次的朝圣之旅非常及时，让我们可以在这个属灵的大家庭中拥有归属感。我们将有许多机会成为彼此的兄弟姐妹。
朝圣是生命本身的形象。梵蒂岡第二屆大公会议文献的《教会宪章》称教会是 "前往永恒的耶路撒冷的旅途中的教会"。《论教会在现代世界牧职宪章》则将教会描述为一个 "在圣神引领下前往天父国度 "的门徒团体。
因此，朝圣就是生活的缩影。在日常生活中，我们会经历喜怒哀乐。朝圣之旅也是如此，我们会经历胜利，也会遭遇磨难。我们承受这些经历的能力是一种属灵的训练，是一种让我们既能享受生活又能承担生活重担的锻炼。
我们参观的地方都是献给天主的教堂。我们去那里是为了祈祷我们的基督徒生活方式得到加强，而且在旅途中，我们会有很多机会去实践慈善工作。在参观教堂时，让我们的信、望、爱三德的榜样充实我们所遇到的人。愿我们也能从他们的热情好客中得到启发，彼此慷慨仁慈相待。
让我们以慷慨的精神踏上这次的复活节朝圣之旅，恳求天主赐予我们恩典，使我们在：(1) 宗徒的教诲，(2) 真诚表达我们的团结一致，(3) 庆祝圣体圣事的虔诚，(4) 我们祈祷的热情和力度方面，团结一致，共同成长
愿召唤我们的主指引和引导我们安全前行。愿祂成为我们旅途中的伴侣。愿祂赐予我们这段始于祂、依靠祂的朝圣之旅，在祂的护佑下愉快顺利地结束。
“那以你作为自己的助佑，居心朝圣的人，真是有福！”（咏84:6）
天主降福大家
杨光明神父
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