​Address: Church: 1 Jalan Serindik; Redemptorists Community: 19-21 Jalan la Salle; 31400 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia; Tel: (60) 05 5458220; Email: omphip@gmail.com; FaceBook: https://m.facebook.com/OMPHipoh/

​A Pilgrimage of the Heart: Encountering the Salib in OMPH Ipoh

(18th - 31st August 2025)

When the Salib arrived in OMPH Ipoh on 18 August 2025, its journey through the city was not simply a passing of wood and symbol. It became a pilgrimage of hearts—touching schools, convents, chapels, hospitals, and parishes—reminding each community that Christ journeys with them

in their struggles and joys.

OMPH: A Sacred Beginning

The Salib was first assembled at the church sanctuary, where silence and solemn music set the tone. One parishioner recalled, “As I knelt before the Salib, I felt the weight of my own burdens but also the gentle whisper: ‘You are not alone.’”

For days, groups from across the parish gathered—elders, working adults, children, youth, and language apostolates—each bringing their prayers. The Salib became a mirror: it revealed not only suffering but also hope.

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The Voices of the Parish: Ministries, Language Groups and BECs

Throughout the Salib’s stay, various parish ministries and BECs took turns leading prayer hours, devotions, and services. The Divine Mercy group prayed fervently for healing and forgiveness. The Tamil and Chinese apostolates lifted hymns in their languages, a beautiful sign of unity in diversity. The RCIA catechists guided the faithful in reflection and reconciliation, while the lectors, altar servers, and hospitality ministers poured their energy into service.

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One BEC leader shared, “When we gathered before the Salib, I felt strongly that our small community is part of something so much greater. We were not just praying for ourselves but for the whole Church in Malaysia.”

The Sunday School and CGS children were allotted a special prayer hour, accompanied by their teachers. Their innocent prayers and songs filled the church with joy and simplicity. One teacher shared, “The children approached the Salib without hesitation. Their trust in Jesus reminded us adults how faith is meant to be—pure, hopeful, and free.” A young child washeard saying softly, “Jesus, I love You,” capturing the essence of what many were feeling in their hearts.

Our Lady’s Convent & Good Shepherd Convent: A Faith Shared in Simplicity

At the convents, the Salib found a home among religious sisters. Their prayerful songs and quiet devotion offered a powerful witness. One participant remarked, “Seeing the sisters pray so humbly before the Salib made me realize faith doesn’t need big words—it is simply being present to God.”

The Salib’s presence reminded all that consecrated life, often hidden, carries the prayers of the whole Church. It was as though the sisters, like Mary at the foot of the Salib, stood faithfully, interceding for all.

Hospital Fatimah: A Source of Comfort

When the Salib was assembled at Hospital Fatimah, the encounter took on a different depth. Patients, families, and staff paused in their routines to gaze at Christ crucified. A patient whispered, “I offered my pain to Him. Somehow, it became lighter."

Here, the Salib was more than a symbol—it was companionship in suffering, a reminder that Jesus Himself knows human pain and stands close to those in weakness.

​St Mary’s Chapel: Faith in the Peripheries

At St Mary’s Chapel, the Salib was welcomed with warmth by a smaller community. Their devotion showed that even at the edges of the city, faith burns brightly. One chapel leader reflected, “The Salib did not pass us by. It came to remind us that we too are part of the journey of the Church.”

This stop was a sign of how Christ seeks out the peripheries, ensuring no one is forgotten.

OMPH Again: A Merdeka Farewell

The Salib returned to OMPH at the close of August. The timing was providential: the farewell coincided with Malaysia’s Independence Day. The church overflowed with thanksgiving and emotion. “The Salib is not staying here—it is sending us out,” said one parishioner.

As it was dismantled for its next destination, there was sorrow at parting but also a new fire in the community. The Salib had awakened something lasting: the call to carry Christ into our daily lives—into families, workplaces, and society.

A Lasting Grace for OMPH Ipoh

Across the parish—from convent to hospital, chapel to parish—the Salib united hearts in prayer and reminded all of Christ’s abiding presence. Some found healing, others rediscovered faith, and many were simply consoled by the quiet truth that God is near.

One youth put it beautifully: “I came to see the Salib. Instead, I realized the Salib came to see me.”

Though the Salib has now journeyed on, its grace remains. It taught us that the Salib is not only about suffering but about hope; not only about death, but resurrection. For OMPH, August 2025 will be remembered not just as a visit of the Salib but as a true pilgrimage of the heart.

(WATCH VIDEO ON EVENT BY CLICKING HERE OR ON IMAGE ON TOP OF PAGE)

OMPH Perjalanan Salib 2025​