St Anne Day.

St. Anne Day is a day (often held in the month of July) where catholics christian will be celebrating feast for Blessed Mary Virgin. The catholics and the non christian will light a white candle and pray for a wish while walking towards the church and handled it to the care taker. Some even brought fragrance flowers too.

In Malaysia, the only place that have grand celebration for St Anne's day is in Bukit Mertajam, Seberang Perai Tengah. That's my sweet hometown. The church was more than 100 years old and was maintained and renovated few years back. Regardless of whether the people are catholic christians, hindus, buddhist, free thinker and etc (except Muslim), they will still gather at the St Anne church to bring out the atmosphere.

The statue of the Virgin Mary will then parade along the big field of the church compound for the people to see or for their prayers before it was send back to the church. The event took place mostly at around 7-8 pm. Then follow by a group of choirs who sang Christian songs. All the christians songs is very touchy... if you know what I mean. If you don't, try to go to your nearest church on Sunday morning and listen to it.

How to get there? Actually there are many ways. However, what I say here is the basic route I used to take. If you come from Butterworth/Penang, follow Bukit Mertajam signboard. Go all the way straight till you reach BM Plaza. Once you see BM Plaza, turn right and cross the road then turn left. You can park your car at BM Plaza or find a good spot for parking. You can't drive to the church because there will be a road block somewhere in Jalan Kulim. Therefore, you have to walk there. You can go in a group or with your love's one. At least you don't feel boring throughout the journey. From here, if you do not know the way, follow the crowd. You will get there too. Once you pass by Taman Sentosa, don't be surprise to see along the way is like pasar malam. This are the place where you can see people do business by the road side selling all kinds of stuff. For food, hmm.... all kinds from Penang Char Koay Teow, Kari Mee, Hokkien Mee(actually Prawn Mee), Penang Laksa, drinks, ice cream and lots of more. And a lot of Indians selling their own culture stuff... Once you see all this, you know that you are close to the church. Continue on till you reach the church. From there, get a white candle, light it up, say your prayer and walk up the stair, enter the church and give it to the people in charge. Back of the church, you can find holy water from the well. You can drink it or take it home. Hey who knows after you drink, you got multi blessed.

I've been to this church many years ago during my school and college days. Ever since I set foot in KL for working life, I never had the chance to go back there. Today I receive a call from my brother telling me that he is going to St Anne on 28th July. Boy, it sure reflect me all those old days memories with all my school friends.

This year the celebration is held on 28th July 2007, means by 2 weeks from now. If you haven't been, pay a visit there and get some blessing from Virgin Mary. If you go in couple, even better.