Minor Basilica of St Anne in Bukit Mertajam, Penang, has launched a website for pilgrims to easily access the schedule for the Feast Of Saint Anne this year.

The festival this year will be fully live-streamed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the website will help pilgrims and devotees stay connected during the festival to be held from July 24 to Aug 2.

The Titular Roman Catholic Bishop of Penang Rev Datuk Sebastian Francis said among the initiatives taken to continue the mission was to love and serve others in creative, inclusive, and bridge-building ways throughout the 10 days of the feast.

“This involves live-streaming of Adoration and Benediction each day for an hour, and the Novena and masses in Bahasa Malaysia, Tamil, English, and Mandarin will also be live-streamed each day, ” he said.

The original statue of St Anne which is in the shrine can be viewed live through the website.

“Priests and bishops are just a call away and the counseling team will also be available for those who need to share their struggles and doubts with someone.

“Pilgrims and devotees can light a candle, offer garlands and flowers, write petitions, and make prayer requests to St Anne digitally.

“They are also invited to share in all languages their experiences and testimonies through the inter-session on the website so that their stories may be a source of inspiration to others, ” he added.

The website can be accessed at www.minorbasilicastannebm.com.