Holy Door at Church of Holy Family opened by Archbishop

THREE strikes from his bishop's crosier together with invocations to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit to "open to me the gates" -- and the Holy Door at the Church of the Holy Family swung wide open.

The elaborate ceremony before the Christmas Eve Midnight Mass to launch the Jubilee Year saw Archbishop Yong telling the 4,000-strong congregation that "the door we are opening stands for Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ Himself told us that He is the door to the kingdom of Heaven".

The Holy Door was then blessed and incensed after which the congregation joined in the refrain of "have mercy on us" as the cantor intoned "open to me the gates" three times. As priests of the parish, Frs Anthony Ho and John Baptist Tou, pulled open the door, the congregation and 170-strong combined church choir burst into the Gloria. Archbishop Yong, priests and lay representatives from the various parishes then walked in procession down the aisle and took their places in the newly-opened church.

The Midnight Mass was special in more ways than one. Members of the Inter-Religious Organisation representing the various religions in Singapore were present. So were some 30 monks and nuns from the Singapore Buddhist Lodge and the Amitabha Buddhist Society.

In his homily, Archbishop Yong referred to a story in the popular Chicken Soup For The Soul series which told of how people were given blue ribbons to give to others as a token of affirmation. Said Archbishop Yong: "This Christmas, may husbands and wives affirm one another, parents and children affirm one another, employers and employees affirm one another, and priests and parishioners affirm one another to experience the joy of making life worth living for people whose lives we touch."

In his address at the end of the Mass, Fr Eugene Vaz, head of the Archdiocesan Jubilee Year Committee, said that preparations for the Jubilee Year had been made as early as 1994. "We have finally come to this moment of celebration," he said, beaming.

Parishioners interviewed after the event said they found it a powerful experience. Said student Gwendolene Lee, 21: "It feels really jubilant to celebrate the start of the great jubilee with the Lord and the Catholic community. Just so awesome to see so many people that night, especially our invited guests from other faiths."

Mr Jason Yong, 25, remarked: "It feels like a night of `first times': it's our first Mass in the new church. I find it fascinating that the whole world is celebrating the jubilee together."