If we walk in a southeasterly direction along Bras Basah Road from Orchard Road, we come to the beautiful and newly renovated Catholic Cathedral of the Good Shepherd. Here is a first view of the West wall. • This is the Cathedral Church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore and the seat of its archbishop. PLAN
2. NORTH NAVE
We shall first walk around the Cathedral, keeping a short distance away. • A small Catholic chapel was built on a different site in 1832. On 18 June 1843, the cornerstone for a new church on the present site was blessed by Bishop Jean-Paul-Hilaire-Michel Courvezy, Vicar Apostolic of Malacca-Singapore, and was laid by John Connolly, a merchant. In 1847, a steeple was added. On 6 June 1846, the completed church was blessed and opened by Father Jean-Marie Beurel.
3. NORTH TRANSEPT AND STEEPLE
We walk past the North transept with its stately columns, and come to the elegant steeple tower. In 1888, the church was elevated to the status of cathedral when the Diocese of Malacca was revived. Edouard Gasnier, the first bishop of the revived Diocese of Malacca died in 1896 and is interred in the cathedral. His successor, Bishop René-Michel-Marie Fée, was the first bishop consecrated in the cathedral in 1896.
4. VIEW ACROSS FROM CHIJMES
Although the church was elevated to the status of cathedral in 1888, the consecration ceremony was performed only on 14 February 1897 when the cathedral had finally repaid its debts incurred from the extension of the nave in 1888. Improvements were gradually made to the cathedral. The dwarf wall, gate pillars, and ornamental cast iron gates and railings around the grounds were completed in 1908.
5. VIEW ALONG THE SOUTH SIDE
A statue of the Good Shepherd stands opposite the entry to the South transept. [Cathedral photo] • The Gallery Organ was in place by 1912, while electric lighting came in 1913 and electric fans in 1914. During the invasion of Singapore during World War II, the Cathedral was used as an emergency hospital. The Cathedral of the Good Shepherd was gazetted a national monument in 1973.
6. HISTORY
This board tells more of the history of Roman Catholicism in Singapore. In particular it tells of the St Joseph’s Church which can be found a block north of the Cathedral along Victoria Street.
7. WEST PORTICO
The Cathedral of the Good Shepherd is built in a restrained Renaissance style. Its porticos are in the Palladian manner, which was established here by George Drumgoole Coleman. Its plan is in the form of a Latin cross and like all traditional churches, it has a (roughly!) east – west orientation. Its high timber ceiling and its sensitive use of round arches lend the building much grace and charm.
8. CORNERSTONE AND GARDEN OF THE TOMB
The cornerstone dates from 1843, and gives the year 1846 for the Church opening. (Other records suggest 1847.) Nearby is The Garden of the Tomb, with a statue of Mary looking out over a pool. One of the impressive aspects of this Cathedral is the various little gardens located around it, and this is the most beautiful.
9. GARDEN SIGN
Each of the gardens has an explanatory sign. So this is The Garden of the Tomb, recalling the Betrayal and Suffering of Jesus. The sign quotes John 20:11-13 which tells of how Mary of Magdala stood outside the tomb weeping before entering and finding the tomb empty but for the presence of two angels. There follows a strong faith affirmation about the certainty of resurrection for those who believe and live the Good News of Salvation.
10. POOL DETAILS
Although it is Mary Magdalene who went first to the tomb, the statue is of Mary, the Mother of Jesus. The sign on the pedestal of the statue reads ‘Holy Mary Mother of God pray for us’. Although Mary the Mother of Jesus was at the crucifixion, there is no Biblical evidence that she was at the tomb. Mark 16:1 speaks of Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and [Mary] Salome being present.
11. TO THE PERPETUAL ADORATION CHAPEL
A sign near the West door directs us to the Chapel of Perpetual Adoration. Following directions to the South of the Cathedral we come to a semi-enclosed entry to elevator doors. The lift descends so that we are below ground! The Chijmes Hall can be seen in the background.
12. CHAPEL FOYER
Down here we are instructed to remove our shoes. The Chapel has a foyer, lit by natural light from above. On one wall are 15 plaques bearing the names of eight bishops of the Cathedral. At the far end is a statue of the Good Shepherd. The text reads: ‘I am the Good Shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me. John 10:14.’
13. PERPETUAL ADORATION CHAPEL
A side door leads us to the Chapel itself. The only furnishings are scattered poufs. A small picture of Our Lady of Perpetual Sorrows is on a side wall, and at front a niche containing a large illuminated monstrance. The Chapel is quite quiet, and delightfully cool – a pleasant escape from Singapore’s weather. People come here to quietly meditate and pray. [Cathedral Photo].
14. HOMELESS JESUS
Leaving the Chapel we notice a garden opposite the Western portico. A sculpted robed figure lies desolate on a park bench. The nearby sign reads: ‘ HOMELESS JESUS This sculpture by Canadian Timothy Schmalz is an artistic impression of how Jesus not only proclaimed compassion for the poor but also suffers with the poor. Located in the Garden of Resurrection, this sculpture is a symbol of hope for those who are suffering in the world.’
15. GARDEN OF RESURRECTION
Further along this West side is the Garden of Resurrection – lawns and boulders and several flat slabs. The sign reads: ‘GARDEN OF RESURRECTION, JESUS IS RISEN’. There is then a quotation from Luke 24:39 relating to the wounds of Jesus, and an interesting reflection on how our wounds can be transformed into joys.
16. ANOTHER INFORMATION PLAQUE
This sign gives information about Saint Joseph’s Institution, and yet another nearby Catholic Church – the Church of Saints Peter and Paul. The history of St Joseph’s Institution School is closely intertwined with the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd. Father Jean-Marie Beurel, the priest of the then Church of the Good Shepherd, strongly believed that ‘a church without a school is like a king without progeny’.
17. THE GOOD SHEPHERD
Above the West door is a statue of the Good Shepherd. Why this name? St Laurent-Marie-Joseph Imbert, who died a martyr in Korea, was probably the first priest to visit Singapore. He wrote a note to his three fellow missionaries, asking them to surrender to the Korean authorities to save their flocks from extermination during a period of Christian persecution in Korea. He had written, ‘In desperate circumstances, the good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep’. They did and were beheaded in 1839. This led to the naming of the Church.
18. GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE (WEST)
We have now completed our circuit of the Cathedral. However there are more gardens close to the Cathedral which we have missed. Two parts of the Garden of Gethsemane are separated by the North nave entry. The sign is subtitled, ‘JESUS’ BETRAYAL AND SUFFERING’. There is a quote from Luke 22:44 and a challenging reflection on the love of Christ for us. There is also a statue of Pope John Paul II, but the meaning of its placing here escapes me.
19. NORTH DOORS
There are two entries to the North side of the Cathedral – one through the North transept, and the other into the nave. The nature of the Singapore climate is such that buildings need plenty of air flow.
20. GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE (EAST)
From this position this portion of the Garden appears only to contain a solid seat. On reflection, I wonder if there is some symbol to the right which I have missed!