ASIA/MALAYSIA - Youth night of prayer for health workers and victims of Covid-19

Monday, 26 October 2020 prayer youth coronavirus pandemic

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Sabah (Agenzia Fides) - Offer full empathy and solidarity and all the material, human and spiritual support to doctors, operators and health professionals who are at the forefront of the Covid-19 pandemic, as the alarming increase in the number of positive cases the virus generates concern in Malaysian society and local lockdowns continue: this is the objective of the initiative of young Catholics of the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu in the Malaysian state of Sabah, on the island of Borneo. As Fides learns, young people wanted to express their closeness and solidarity to the doctors, put to the test in this difficult situation, giving voice to the fears and uncertainties for the future of the state of Sabah. The idea of a night prayer was launched by Fr. Paul Lo, parish priest of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, worried about the conditions of the population.
The young people, summoned by the priest, embraced the initiative and, taking advantage of the month of October, traditionally dedicated by the Church to the mission, they wanted, as part of the night prayer organized in recent days, to invoke protection together, by remaining in prayer all night, for all health workers and for all those who have been affected by Covid-19.
The missionary vigil, broadcast live on social media, attracted more than 10,000 views. The organizers invited two Catholic doctors to share their experiences as they face this pandemic. The two doctors offered their testimonies, encouraging everyone to follow government health protocols and to continue to pray.
Jennifer, a young participant, shared her reflection, saying: "When can we go out again? When can we go to Mass again? The coronavirus is revealing our fears: the fear of loss, death, uncertainty, insecurity. Is there still hope?".
In the context of this tragic situation, everyone remembered the words of Pope Francis, according to whom "we must cry out to the Lord and remember that the only source of salvation and consolation is God, and not human work".
Fr. Paul Lo read a passage from the Bible in Bahasa Malaysia language and in Mandarin, followed by a a 10-minute silence, and the recitation of the Rosary by the young people.
Special prayers have been raised for doctors, for those who have contracted the virus, for all families, for priests and for all Catholics so that they can continue on their path of holiness in this difficult time. "Even if we may feel powerless and discouraged by everything that is happening - the priest remarked to Fides - we must continue to pray because it is our only weapon at the moment. We must continue to hope in Jesus". (SD-PA) (Agenzia Fides, 26/10/2020)