Francis

Pope Francis’ tabernacle in Singapore—during his visit, all the furnishings were on loan.

My fondness grew for the tabernacle from St. Anne’s Church, which was used by Pope Francis during his visit to Singapore in September 2024 and was later temporarily loaned for the Majodi retreat in Malaysia in April 2025.

I went to bed around 9 p.m., but I woke up later and stayed awake. Eventually, I made it to Majodi’s chapel alone at 2:49 a.m. during the retreat.

The hall was pitch dark, and the ushers were nowhere in sight due to the odd hours. Although I was a soldier, I was not a seasoned worshipper. Also not accustomed to being alone in a solemn place of worship during the early hours of the morning, and I was not exactly comfortable.

I set off from the singles’ dormitory without much enthusiasm, knowing that my active mind would not allow me to hit the sack anytime soon. Therefore, I might as well get out of bed and dress appropriately for the chapel with an open mind.

The walkway from my room to the chapel was well lit. I bravely pushed the door open, relieved to find it unlocked. As I entered, I was met with a large, dimly lit hall enveloped in complete silence.

Honestly taken aback, I paused for a moment. However, through the caretaker, the sanctuary lamp resting on the tabernacle glowed softly, an unspoken source of immense hope and protection over me without measure. It was a marvelous sight, filling my entire being with solace and peace.

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Johnny Cash:
https://lnkd.in/g5D8SuxB

Imagine with me the wordless welcome of being ushered in, a foretaste of more to come—what awaits in the chapel when I am alone. You can be sure wouldn’t trade this unique sensation for any popular hit song. Once I settled in, my mind shifted to devotion.

I took two heart-shaped verses randomly picked from the wishing well bowl. I committed the first to memory before doing the same for the next, all while noticing, yet remaining unperturbed by the heavy downpour in Johor Bahru and farther away in Singapore.” - Godfrey Ong

“In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬ ‭NABRE‬‬

“For this we toil and struggle, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the savior of all, especially of those who believe.”
‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬ ‭NABRE‬‬

**

“Out of the depths I call to you, Lord; Lord, hear my cry! May your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. If you, Lord, keep account of sins, Lord, who can stand? But with you is forgiveness and so you are revered. I wait for the Lord, my soul waits and I hope for his word. My soul looks for the Lord more than sentinels for daybreak. More than sentinels for daybreak, let Israel hope in the Lord, For with the Lord is mercy, with him is plenteous redemption, And he will redeem Israel from all its sins.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭130‬:‭1‬-‭8‬ ‭NABRE‬‬

Source: Fr Simon HO
Photo: Tabernacle and the Sanctuary Lamp

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