HONG KONG (SE): The Diocese of Hong Kong honoured the priests and religious who are in their jubilee year of ordination or religious vows on December 7, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, the patron saint of the diocese. John Cardinal Tong Hon, apostolic administrator of Hong Kong, concelebrated the Mass with Joseph Cardinal Zen Ze-kiun, retired bishop of Hong Kong, Dom Paul Kao, Abbot of Our Lady of Joy Abbey and 60 priests of the diocese.
During the Mass, which was celebrated in the newly-renovated cathedral at Caine Road, Father Louis Lee Kwok-hung, who marked the golden jubilee of his priesthood, gave his reflections on the Immaculate conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a doctrine of the Church, promulgated by Pope Pius X in 1854.
He explained that in the same way as the Blessed Virgin had no distance from God, we the faithful should not allow ourselves to be separated from God. Immediate repentance for sins committed is a way to come closer to God. “Mary’s obedient response during the annunciation also shows us how to properly respond to the grace of God,” he added.
Cardinal Tong congratulated the jubilarians during a tea reception held before the Mass at Caritas Hall. The group, FreeUp Music, sang in felicitations for the jubilarians.
During the Mass, Cardinal Tong accompanied by Cardinal Zen and Dom Kao accorded special thanks to Trappist Father Benedict Chao who celebrated the 70th anniversary of his ordination as well as Precious Blood Sisters Magdalena Lui Chui-nap and Mary Ho Sau-chun, who celebrated the 75th anniversary of their religious profession.
Sister Rosalia Kong Si-wai and Sister Uthariam Antonysamy, who are celebrating their silver jubilee of religious profession this year, served as readers during the Mass.
Canossian Sister Marie Remedios, who celebrated 60 years of entry into the religious life, gave a sharing about her experiences in consecrated life.
A piece of advice from her spiritual director “to treat every day as the last day for her to be faithful to God” was her guiding principle in her years of life in the community.
Sister Remedios recalled her emergency baptism in the basement of a villa instead of a church following her premature birth. Uncertain of her survival, her mother dedicated her to Our Lady of Perpetual Help. She was administered the sacraments of Communion and Confirmation at the age of seven, and 10 years later she joined the convent at the age of 17. She thanked her family for allowing her to join the convent at such a young age and all people and institutions who have supported her vocation and ministry.
Rosa Lai Yuk-fai and Jennifer Wei Poon, representatives of the Central Council of Catholic Laity congratulated the jubilarians and thanked them for their sacrifices and contributions which have enriched the faith of the laity and built up the Church.
