Sabah Youth Cross pilgrimage launched in Toboh Tambunan

“My dear young people, at the conclusion of the Holy Year, I entrust to you the sign of this Jubilee Year:  the Cross of Christ!  Carry it throughout the world as a symbol of Christ’s love for humanity, and announce to everyone that only in the death and resurrection of Christ can we find salvation and redemption” – Pope John Paul II (Rome, 22nd April 1984)

The Sabah Catholic Church has responded to the call by Pope John Paul II and brought the Youth Cross across the whole of Sabah through local parishes. In conjunction with the upcoming Sabah Youth Day-4, the pilgrimage of the Sabah Youth Cross was launched Feb 15 in Toboh Tambunan.

The first pilgrimage took place in Kota Kinabalu Archdiocese in 1997. In 2000, at the Youth Jubilee Year, all three Arch/dioceses joyfully united together and brought the Youth Cross across all parishes in Sabah. The Jubilee Year was well attended by some 5000 youths.

Since then, the pilgrimage has been done every year. This is a way of evangelization aiming to help youths as well as adults, by reminding them that Jesus is the Eternal Life because of His death on the cross and of His glorious resurrection.

The journey of the Cross in the Keningau Diocese has just ended Jun 1 in St Peter Bundu parish, Kuala Penyu. To mark this important milestone, the Keningau Diocese held their 4th Diocesan Youth Camp Jun 2-6 at the same parish. (See separate story in the next page)

The Youth Cross is now in the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu, which began in Blessed Sacrament Parish, Labuan Jun 13. Following are the dates marking the journey of the pilgrimage culminating in the SYD-4 at Holy Trinity parish, Tawau June 16, 2016. – Linda Edward