Chinna-pek
The first day of CNY was rather boring. Early morning at 10.00am went to church for Mass (mandarin speaking mass). Yesterday someone asked me why on earth we Catholics gotta go to church on the first day of CNY. Gee, what Catholics got to do with Chinese New Year?
Well, we’re Chinese afterall and it’s just a New Year celebration. Thats all. Just the religion is different from the other traditional chinese. We pray to Lord Jesus Christ and they pray to Lord Buddha. All the normal day-to-day lifestyle is the same though we’re not that superstitious.
Ok. What we do in church on this auspicious day? Its just like another Mass, just on top of that celebration is more “chinese” such as the decorations (red lanterns, lion heads, etc), pray to our chinese ancestors with all the red candles, incense and things you’d normally see in a Buddisht/Taoist temple. We still practice our Chinese tradition…giving angpau (red packet), giving mandarin oranges and stuffs like that. They even had lion dance at the church this morning. And the priests (there were 3 of them; Indian machas who speak fluent mandarin) gave away angpau and mandarin oranges. Very chineeese. Chiina. The Indian priest can speak better mandarin than me but it is normal nowadays.
I just want to change the perception many of you had with Chinese Christians. Often people in the office will tell me, if you take leave for Christmas, then you can’t take leave for CNY or else who will do the work. Non-Christians have to make way for the Christians to take leave in December for christmas. I was like, what the fuck?! I’m a Chinese Christian. I celebrate both Christmas and CNY. So I deserve to take leave for both occasions. Right ?! Arhh… well, they just asked. They didn’t really restrict me from taking leaves for both occasions. Haha.
So, this post is to serve your knowledge on what we Chinese Catholics do on the first day of Chinese New Year. Anyway, we’re living in Malaysia.
Oh, by the way, I’m taking this opportunity to wish three of my friends HAPPY BIRDDAY !
- 18th Feb - Mun Choon
- 19th Feb - YY
- 22nd Feb - Lex
February 19th, 2007 at 8:39 am
I’m a Catholic, too.
I went to mass yesterday - not only because it’s CNY but bcos it’s a Sunday & hence it is obligatory.
Likewise, the Catholic Church that I go to was decorated with red lanterns.
We had blessings & distribution of oranges, too.
Some of the congregation brought their own oranges to be blessed.
Have a Blessed Chinese New Year, Endroo.
p/s It’s Ash Wednesday tomorrow.
February 19th, 2007 at 8:40 am
opps! Sorry!!! I mean this Wednesday.
February 19th, 2007 at 12:11 pm
Errr…what’s a church? Well, for the Christmas leaves, I’d say priority must be given to those who celebrate X’mas and X’mas alone. People like me, I only celebrate X’mas, but because of some who celebrate CNY and X’mas, I cannot take my leave? Well, it’s a good practice of tolerance…
February 19th, 2007 at 4:03 pm
you think being a chinese christian is difficult? try being a chinese muslim!!! oh those long explanation sessions in the HR office trying to justify both the raya and CNY leaves:P
February 19th, 2007 at 8:58 pm
gee thanks Endroo
I guess sometimes, we just get too confused with the whole race and religion shit. You know, what I’m gonna say… so I’ll just shut up for now. Peace bro.
February 20th, 2007 at 11:26 pm
Forget about it all, just have fun during this festive season. Anyway, thanks.
February 21st, 2007 at 8:28 am
feel very much enlightened now. I did attend some chinese church before many years ago in ipoh. Didn’t understand then why there is such a thing…and why people speak in mandarin in the church. But whatever it is, i think i take any festive season as a time for family gatherings…….hardly take it as a time to praise the LORD/BUDDHA whatever
February 22nd, 2007 at 12:43 pm
Jem: Oh yeah. But priority was given to Chinese mass. Right?
Galli: Yeah… i get your point. I have a majority of non-Christian colleagues therefore they can let a few of us who celebrate Xmas and CNY or Xmas only to take leave on both occasions.
philters: eh… u are Chinese Muslim? mixed parentage or converted? Hmmm… at first i wondered but after seeing your name card.. i just forgot about it.
Lex: Marxism rawks!! You’re welcome… at endroog.com !
yy: Yeah, having a good time this CNY with her.
tihtahpah: At first… catholic church masses worldwide were conducted in Latin. Then they adapted to local languages as the religion expanded. I would’ve been fluent in Latin if masses is conducted in Latin here in Malaysia.
Festive season is a time for gathering. I agree with that. Its just a holiday. You can do whatever you want. Pray, visit relatives, watch DVD at home, go shopping etc.
February 22nd, 2007 at 2:13 pm
Actually, no. I only attend English service mass. Lingo problem la.