KOTA KINABALU: The hot weather and logistical challenges forced the St Thomas More Catholic Church in Kepayan to alter its annual Stations of the Cross procession this year.

Instead of scaling Paradise Hill, which is located about half a kilometre from the church and at an elevation equivalent to a six-storey building, the procession was conducted house to house instead on Friday (March 29).

“This year we decided to walk from one house to another to avoid the heatwave,” said Boy @ Johnny Setanis, the former Rumah Murah Kepayan Catholic Community chairman.

The procession, to commemorate Jesus Christ's passion and death on the cross, is part of the observance for Good Friday.

Catholics, led by Reverend Father Peter Chung, visited the homes of 14 churchgoers within the Kepayan Rumah Murah Phases Three and Four, to also symbolise the 14 Stations of the Cross.

The procession began from the church at 7am, made its 14 stops and returned to the starting point.

“This house-to-house visit is a good alternative, and the decision was also made on the advice of the Health Department, in view of the extreme heat due to the prolonged dry spell,” said Setanis, whose house was among the stops.

At each stop, there was a reading of scripture, followed by prayers and contemplation before moving to the next.

A family member from each household would then be tasked to carry the cross to the next stop.

Participant Terisah Batalis said the house visits were also an opportunity for those living nearby to be a part of the procession.

“Every year, we walk up Paradise Hill, but this year, the heat is a little overwhelming. Climbing is also a bit of a struggle for me now as my legs are not that strong now.

“With the church deciding to do the house visits instead, we are grateful to still be able to continue being part of the tradition,” said the 70-year-old, a congregant at the church.

The church will also hold its Good Friday service at 3pm as part of the Easter Triduum, which began on Maundy Thursday (March 28) and culminates in the Easter Vigil on Saturday (March 30).

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/03/29/amid-hot-spell-sabah-church-brings-good-friday-tradition-house-to-house