I know this is an overdue post.....I totally forgot about it until today. Anyway, we went mountain climbing cum personal retreat to Mount Singgai at Bau on 2-6-06.
Introduction:
Mt Singgai is a pilgrimage centre and it was actually selected as one of the pilgrimage spots during the Jubilee Year. It's also known as CMPC (Catholic Memorial Pilgrimage Centre). There are 12 stops as you climb up to the peak and at every stop, one is supposed to observe the Station of the Cross. (Btw, there are 14 stations of the Cross) The last 2 stops are at the peak with as u approach the church...Lodgings are provided at a very minimal rates for those who wish to spend the night....There is also a canteen to cater for your daily meals, and of course, there are several praying stations for those who wish to spend some quiet time with God...The most amazing thing about CMPC is that all the infrastructure and lodgings and what not are built on a gotong-royong (community-based) basis whereby each villager will go up every weekend carrying several building materials and build the whole community up there, all thanks to the leader, Mr Vincent Eddy. It's open to members of the public, but non catholics are reminded to maintain utmost silence throughtout the journey up to the peak.
Scenario:
We went up at 7.30am and by the time we reached the feet of the mountain, there were several cars parked at the empty land. We started our journey, stopping at every station for a rosary and prayer.. There were several climbers passing us, not stopping for prayers, carrying loads and loads of food and drinks, talking loudly and merrily (and from my assumption, they were there for picnics and obviously non christians) That's not all. As we arrived at the peak of the mountain, we decided to go to the Grotto for a short prayer and there, again, we noticed several youngsters (obviously a non-catholic again) sitting there and talk loudly without even giving consideration to the prayerful atmosphere....I was totally upset at a boy who went up to the grotto and started washing his hands and face using the water from the fountain next to the statue of Our Lady. Anyway, let's not judge the whole population over a minority of visitors who did not behave....I do met several polite climbers too!!
Message to visitors:
1) This is a pilgrimage centre. Please respect the place by not destroying the religuous articles placed there
2) The mountain belongs to the community and you are just a visitor. Please do not take anything that's not yours, ie the durian buds, durians or even the nice looking fern
3) Please be quiet when you are at the peak...majority of us are there for retreats.
4) Please help in carrying the bricks up....please do not carry for fun and then just throw it away along the way. It cost them money.
Photos:
The steps going up the hill
Christ the King Chapel
The first beam of the church
the Arch to the Amphiteatre
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