Excitement is palpable at Catholic Junior College (CJC) as they prepare for the arrival of Pope Francis on Friday, Sep. 13. The Pope will visit the college for an interreligious youth dialogue, a significant event organised by the Ministry of Community, Culture and Youth and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore. This visit marks the end of his Asia-Oceanic Apostolic Journey, which included stops in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Timor Leste. Over 600 participants from more than 50 schools and various interfaith and religious organisations are expected to attend.
Background
Pope Francis’ visit to CJC is a rare and momentous occasion, as it is only the second time a pope has visited Singapore. The interreligious dialogue at CJC aims to foster unity and understanding among different faiths. This event is part of a broader initiative to promote interreligious harmony in Singapore, a country known for its diverse religious landscape. The dialogue will also feature a unique art collaboration where students will paint alongside the Pope.
Art as a medium
In preparation for the Pope’s arrival, CJC has organised interreligious discussions for students and staff, encouraging them to reflect on their roles in upholding interreligious harmony. Art has been a key medium to facilitate these conversations, most notably through a batik painting that reflects the theme of “Unity and Hope.” The painting, which is 2.5m wide and 0.9m tall, features various religious sites such as synagogues, temples, mosques, and churches. Its design is inspired by stained glass windows commonly seen in churches.
The Pope will add the final touches to this painting alongside four students from CJC and two from St Anthony’s Canossian Secondary School. CJC students Sophie O’Hara and Kavenesh s/o Manivannan will be among them. Noor Aaliyah Ford, a Muslim student, shared that the painting was a “collective effort” involving students, staff, and non-teaching faculty. “I thought it was very symbolic to do this on Teachers’ Day because teachers are a beacon of unity and hope for the future,” Ford added.
Student perspectives
Ford is looking forward to meeting the Pope, a dream she has had since she was 12. O’Hara expressed her amazement at how the artwork turned out, despite the hectic process. “It had been hectic with long queues for everyone to have a go, but the painting ultimately turned out so beautifully,” she said. Kavenesh, a Hindu student, spoke about the significance of the artwork in showing the Pope their commitment to unity. “It’s quite a unique occasion… Maybe 50 years down the road, the 100th batch of CJCians will also see it. I felt really honoured when I painted it,” he remarked.
Apart from the batik painting, the college has also created an art installation titled “Wings of Unity and Hope,” featuring hundreds of origami doves handmade by students. These doves encompass the prayers and hopes of students for interreligious harmony in Singapore.
More on the Papal Visit
Pope Francis’ visit to Singapore is a historic event, marking only the second time a pope has visited the country. He is set to arrive in Singapore at 2:15pm on Sep. 11. Several official engagements are scheduled for the morning of Sep. 12 at the Parliament House and the National University Singapore’s University Cultural Centre. A Papal Mass will be held at the National Stadium later that afternoon. After his visit to CJC, the Pope will head to Changi Airport for a farewell ceremony at 11:20am.
