HONG KONG (SE): The feast day of Our Lady of Loreto, the patron saint of aviation, was marked with a Mass was celebrated in English and Chinese by John Cardinal Tong Hon, apostolic administrator of the Hong Kong diocese, Father Manoj Mullackal, Airport Chaplain, together with other priests, on December 10 at the prayer room of the Hong Kong International Airport, Chek Lap Kok.
Airport staff from all positions and nationalities attended and prayed for travellers, airport workers as well as less fortunate people.
In his homily, Cardinal Tong encouraged people to follow the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary who followed God’s will. He recalled that the Church in Hong Kong faced great difficulties in 2003 during the SARS outbreak which were overcome. He encouraged people to have courage in the face of every trial.
Speaking of the development of the Catholic community at the airport, Father Mullackal said the group has been growing over the past five years. Members shared their lives in small communities every week apart from attending Masses.
It was the first time that the feast day of Our Lady of Loreto was celebrated at the airport.
Last October, Pope Francis approved adding the feast to all calendars and liturgical books for celebration during the Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours.
