ASIA/MALAYSIA - More than two thousand young people and adults will receive baptism at the Easter Vigil

Kuala Lumpur (Agenzia Fides) - The Gospel attracts young people and adults seeking baptism in Malaysia: according to official communications from the local Church, the Catholic community in Malaysia will welcome more than 2,000 new faithful at the 2025 Easter Vigil, which will be celebrated on the evening of April 19: 1,047 newly baptized in Peninsular Malaysia and an equivalent number in Malaysian Borneo. During Lent, the catechumens celebrated the "Rite of Election," a liturgical act marking the formal reception of catechumens into the Church, while the faithful united in prayer.

In Kajang, in the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur, the rite took place in the Church of the Holy Family and brought together 549 catechumens. Archbishop Julian Leow, who presided over the Mass, recalled the theme of the Jubilee Year, “Pilgrims of Hope,” inviting the catechumens to grow in holiness: “All of us have been ‘elected,’ chosen by God to be part of His People,” he recalled.

In the Diocese of Malacca-Johore, more than 281 catechumens from 17 parishes gathered in the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus for the Rite of Election. Addressing them, Bishop Bernard Paul emphasized the importance of the journey of preparation for baptism and exhorted them “to listen attentively to the voice of God, and not to be distracted. His voice is gentle, welcoming, and encouraging. God’s dream is that we are united to Him, that we are one in Him, as one people.”

In the Diocese of Penang - also in Peninsular Malaysia - the Rite of Election included 156 catechumens from the deaneries of the North and Islands, and another 61 young catechumens from the deanery of Perak, who were received as "elect" at St. Michael's Church in Ipoh. Cardinal Sebastian Francis presided over both celebrations, encouraging everyone to "embrace the joy of hope," guided by figures such as Blessed Carlo Acutis.

On the island of Malaysia, Malaysian Borneo, 1,125 catechumens from various parishes in the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu will receive baptism at Easter 2025. During the Rite of Election, which marked the conclusion of the Catechumenate period, Archbishop John Wong welcomed their intention to join the Catholic Church and declared them ready to complete the period of purification and enlightenment, a final and intense phase of preparation to receive the first three Sacraments (Baptism, Communion, and Confirmation) on Easter night. (Agenzia Fides, 17/4/2025)

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