KK Prelate designates Queenship of Mary as feast day of OLQP Kobusak

DONTOZIDON – August 22 marked a memorable and day of rejoicing for the parish of St Paul here. In conjunction with the feast of the Queenship of Mary, and in the presence of the faithful, Archbishop John Wong crowned the icon of Our Lady Queen of Peace and designated the feast as the feast day of the sub-parish of Our Lady Queen of Peace Kobusak.

For the past four years since 2013, St Paul Dontozidon has been crowning the Blessed Virgin Mother and commemorating her Queenship with Triduum and Holy Mass, initiated by the Legion of Mary praesidium of Our Lady Queen of All Saints Dontozidon, in thanksgiving for the revival of the apostolate after a number of years of dormancy. Blessings continued with a newly formed praesidium of Our Lady of Grace in the sub-parish of St John the Baptist Kopungit and currently undergoing formalisation.

Appropriately in this Jubilee of Mercy, Abp Wong directed the faithful to a personal reflection and appreciation on the role of Mary in God’s plan of salvation and in bringing peace to the world, and seeking her intercession in the wake of the many challenges faced by the church.

The event began with the recitation of rosary in front of the church grotto in the presence of the  clergy, Kota Kinabalu Comitium, Praesidia of Our Lady Queen of All Saints Dontozidon, Our Lady of Grace Kopungit, and Our Lady of Sorrow Kg Kolopis, and 350 parishioners from St Paul Church Dontozidon, Our Lady Queen of Peace Kobusak and St John the Baptist Kopungit.

After the rosary, the congregation processed along the candle-lighted path paving the way for the Queen, followed by 20 neatly dressed girls and boys in white scattering rose petals along the way. In a solemn procession led by two candle bearers, the statue of Our Lady Queen of Peace, beautifully decorated with multi-coloured roses, was carried from the grotto to the entrance of the church by four bearers escorted by the altar servers, communion ministers, reader, concelebrants and the presider.

Inside the church, the congregation remained standing while witnessing the statue of Our Lady being brought to the designated area on the sanctuary. The commentator invited all present to kneel and the choir led the congregation in singing the hymn “Ave Maria, Ave Maria” while the presider stepped forward to receive the tiara of red roses from six-year old Marie Gracelle and placed the tiara onto the head of the Blessed Mother.  He then proceeded to celebrate  Mass.

The festivity ended with the congregation coming forward to place roses in vases placed in front of the crowned statue of the Our Lady Queen of Peace and enjoying the evening together in fellowship and solidarity. – Social & Publicity Com, St Paul Dontozidon