On Saturday, after 8 hours of standing around & reading labels in the National Textile Museum & 1.5 hrs of walking in the KL City Art Gallery, Merdaka Square, River life & Masjid Jamek streets I saw St. John's Cathedral church and went in to take photos, then noticed their MASS was about to start in a few minutes. I dont know anything about MASS and how long it usually takes but decided to sit on a bench near the door in case if it gets too long, then I could just leave discretely.
In the beginning, the priest entered with the altar service group carrying a big bible & candles and a couple with their baby walking towards the tabernacle and altar while the choir group was singing at the left side, and everyone was standing. Now that I’m writing this, I noticed the cathedral structure is built in the form of a cross (top-down view) and I was sitting on the right side of that cross.
While the altar, priest & choir group were reading & singing the prayers, worshippers were standing during some of the prayers and kneeling to the others. There were foldable kneelers at the back of each bench for kneeling. The prayers were shown on big screens. Worshippers were crossing themselves as well. Exchange of peace was another part of the prayers. When communion started, I didn't know if I should be seated or line up like the others in front of the priest. Once I noticed two worshippers staying seated, I remained in my seat.
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During the prayers, I saw a worshipper entering from the door near to me and genuflect while facing the tabernacle. At the end, I noticed everyone genuflect to the tabernacle before leaving the church. The MASS lasted 1 hour. I genuflect to tabernacle and while leaving noticed the baptismal font.
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When I saw the prayers on the screens, my mind started comparing MASS with Islamic prayers as follows:
Dress code: I was wearing my pink sleeveless t-shirt and was worried if I'm not dressed appropriately. When I saw another woman wearing a sleeveless shirt, I felt relieved. Everyone else was wearing formal clothes.
Hair covering: I found churches
concerned about hair, as nobody covers their hair the same way Muslim women do.
Gender separation: Women and men can sit on the same bench, there's no separate praying hall based on gender in churches.
Removing shoes: There are no specific rules on shoes either. On the other hand, removing shoes is required before entering the praying halls in mosques, Hindu & Buddhist temples and Gurdwara.
Prayer Language: The prayers were
in English; it was the first time I hear prayers in a language that I could
speak and understand. When I was 6 years old, my mom started teaching me Namaz
(Salat) in Arabic and I didn't know the meaning of any of the words until a few
years later when I could read the Persian translation in the school textbook.
Non-Arab Muslims are not allowed to perform Salat in their own language.
Genuflect: Shia Muslim perform a similar ritual in the religious shrines, but they bow to the main shrine while entering and leaving the place. I’ve never observed the same ritual among Sunni Muslim.
Exchange of peace: Once, I
participated in the Friday pray in Iran. Yes, Shia Muslim women can participate
in Friday pray and shake each other's hand at the end of Friday pray, similar
to the exchange of peace. I've no idea why Sunni Muslim women in Malaysia are
not allowed to participate in Friday prayers.
Singing: Listening to the songs
in Church was new for me. One of the songs, reminded me of Jesus on the cross
in "The Passion of the Christ" movie which brought tears to my eyes.
All singing choir group members were women. But singing is not allowed in
mosques and Shia Muslim women aren't allowed to sing alone in concerts in Iran
while Sunni Muslim women in Malaysia are allowed to sing, thanks to the
youngest wife of their prophet.
God is with us: While the priest said God is with us all the time, I was staring at the big fans hanging from the roof and was wondering if God decides to make them fall in order to test the man's faith. Then Im reminded of my own people, suffering from genocide, and still believing God is with them. I guess it is in the nature of all religions preaching their followers that God is with them all the time.
After the MASS, I visited Telekom Museum which is located next to the cathedral and spent another hour walking & reading there before going back home.
