THE Minor Basilica of St Anne in Penang is once again poised to become the spiritual heart of Bukit Mertajam as it prepares to welcome over 100,000 pilgrims for its annual St Anne’s Feast beginning 18 July.
The ten-day celebration, a longstanding religious and cultural tradition, will commence with a novena and culminate in the grand feast day on 27 July. Catholic masses will be held in English, Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin, and Tamil to accommodate the diverse congregation.
This year’s theme, ‘Celebrating, Listening, and Walking as Pilgrims of Hope’, aims to reflect the church’s commitment to accompanying individuals on their spiritual journeys.
“We want to listen to everyone including their struggles, their pains, their joys. We want to walk with them through life’s challenges and be a symbol of hope, reminding them that difficulties are temporary, and something better is always ahead,” said Rev Deacon Lazarus Anthony.
The highlight of the celebration will take place on 26 July – the traditional feast day of St Anne – which falls on a Saturday this year, likely boosting turnout for the open-air mass and candlelight procession through the heart of Bukit Mertajam.
The open-air mass will be held within the church compound and is expected to be led by Cardinal Datuk Seri Sebastian Francis, the Bishop of Penang. Cardinal Francis, notably Malaysia’s first cardinal to participate in a papal conclave, joined the historic election of Pope Leo XIV, the current pontiff born in Chicago, USA.
St Anne’s Church is the only church in Malaysia to be bestowed the honour of being proclaimed a minor basilica. There are presently 25 minor basilicas in Southeast Asia — 21 are in the Philippines and four in Vietnam.
Basilica honours are assigned by the Pope to a certain church because of their antiquity, dignity, historical importance or their significance as centres of worship.
Devotion to St Anne dates back to the 6th century and in 1378, Pope John IV authorised the observation of this special day annually.
St Anne is seen as the matriarch who oversees the happiness of the family by ensuring the well-being of children, forging lasting marriages and uniting families. After praying to her, many have reported their prayers answered and illnesses healed.
In 1846, French missionaries from the Society of Foreign Missions of Paris founded the church.
Rev Deacon Lazarus said the church anticipates pilgrims not only from across Malaysia but also from abroad, drawn by the spiritual significance and cultural richness of the event.
He also extended gratitude to Human Resources Minister and Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim Chee Keong, who allocated RM70,000 in government support for this year’s feast.
“We are thankful for the government’s support, especially from our local MP. This gesture reflects the unity and respect that exists across different communities,” he added. - July 11, 2025
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