A JOURNEY OF GRACE: WALKING WITH MARY

From 28 September to 11 October 2026, 23 pilgrims embarked on a Marian pilgrimage through France, Spain and Portugal, organised by TOPAZ Travels. Our journey helped us deepen our faith, renew our relationship with God and grow closer to Jesus and Mother Mary through prayer, the Eucharist and the witness of the saints.

We visited Paris, Nevers, Lourdes, the shrines of St Ignatius of Loyola and St James the Apostle in Spain, Nazaré, Fatima and Lisbon. We extended our two-day journey to the magnificent Sagrada Família in Barcelona, and we truly give thanks for the spiritual blessings received along the way.

One profound experience was Lourdes, where Our Lady appeared to St Bernadette Soubirous in 1858. At the Grotto of Massabielle, we prayed, celebrated the Eucharist and entrusted our intentions, families, Parish and loved ones to the Lord Jesus. Lourdes reminded us that Mary always leads us to her Son and invites us to trust in God’s mercy. We were reminded that suffering is part of life, but we never carry our crosses alone. Even when healing does not come as we hope, God’s grace gives us strength, and great renewed hope. We are challenged to show compassion to the sick, lonely and suffering.

Our pilgrimage continued to Fatima, where our visit coincided with the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary (7 October). We recalled Mary’s apparitions to Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta in 1917, and her call to prayer, conversion and peace. Having prayed the Rosary daily throughout our journey, we were reminded of its power to bring us closer to Jesus. Through the Rosary, we reflect on Christ’s life with Mary and learn to follow Him in joy, sorrow and sacrifice. The Rosary is for everyone, young and old, and invites families to pray together. Mary’s message remains relevant today: turn towards God, pray faithfully and become instruments of peace.

Our visits to Nevers, Santiago de Compostela and places associated with St Ignatius of Loyola further strengthened our faith. St Bernadette teaches us humility, St James the Apostle inspires us to proclaim the Gospel courageously, and St Ignatius reminds us to seek God’s will. Their lives show us that holiness begins when we faithfully respond to God’s call in our everyday lives. 

In Nazaré and Lisbon, we also encountered Portugal’s rich Christian heritage. These experiences reminded us that genuine faith must be expressed through love, service and compassion, especially towards the poor, the sick and the vulnerable.

As our pilgrimage draws to a close in Barcelona, we thank God for the fellowship, prayers, Eucharistic celebrations and graces shared throughout this journey. We also thank TOPAZ Travels for facilitating our pilgrimage.

We will return home with more than beautiful memories. We carry a renewed commitment to prayer, deeper faith and greater love for one another. May Mary continue to guide our families and parish closer to Jesus, helping us become people of prayer, instruments of peace and witnesses of Christ’s love wherever we go.

WITH MARY, WE PRAY AND WE CARE

The month of October holds a special place in the heart of the Catholic Church. It is traditionally dedicated to the Holy Rosary and to our Blessed Virgin Mary, inviting us to renew our love for this beautiful devotional prayer. The Rosary is more than a repetition of prayers. It is a gentle and profound journey through the life of Jesus, seen through the eyes and heart of Mary.

For centuries, the Rosary has taken deep root in the hearts of Catholics. Its simplicity makes it accessible to everyone, young and old, families and individuals alike. As we move from one Hail Mary to the next, we are gently invited into the mysteries of Christ: His joy, suffering, death, resurrection and ascension. Mary accompanies us, teaching us to listen, to trust, and to say, as she did, “Let it be done to me according to your word.”

The Rosary always leads us to Jesus. Mary does not draw attention to herself but gently brings us closer to her Son. When we pray with Mary, we learn from her faith, her patience, and her willingness to remain close to Jesus, especially in moments of suffering. Through the Rosary, may our prayer life and Marian spirituality deepen, and may we be inspired to serve others, especially the sick, the elderly, the lonely, and those who quietly carry their burdens.

This October, as we pray the Rosary, we are also invited to remember the Holy Father's intention regarding mental health ministry in our parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur. Unfortunately, this ministry has not yet been established at St Thomas Church, Kuantan. Pope Leo XIV desires that mental health ministry be established throughout the Church worldwide, helping to overcome the stigma and discrimination experienced by people living with mental health challenges.

Many people today carry hidden emotional and psychological burdens. Some suffer in silence because they fear judgement or misunderstanding. A caring Christian community can make a significant difference by listening without judgement, offering companionship, encouraging appropriate professional support, and helping people remain connected to their families, the Church, and the wider community.

In the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur, we continue to support and pray for the mental health ministry under the supervision of Rev. Fr. Philip Chua, as well as for all those experiencing mental and emotional difficulties.

During this month, let us rediscover the beauty of the Rosary. Whether we pray individually, as a family, or as a parish community, may Mary teach us to be “anxious to see Jesus” (Luke 9:9), while opening our hearts with greater compassion towards those who are suffering. May our prayer become a source of grace, healing, hope, and deeper love for Christ and for one another.