HONG KONG (SE): Our Lady of Fatima Church in Cheung Chau, celebrated the feast of Our Lady of Fatima on October 18, recalling the 103rd anniversary of the apparition of the Blessed Virgin to three children in Fatima, Portugal. Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing of Hong Kong, celebrated the feast day Mass and administered the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist to two newly-baptised in the parish.
Because of the restrictions in place due to Covid-19 coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, the popular annual Marian procession and pilgrimage was cancelled this year.
The history of the event dates back to 13 October 1953, when Father Antonio Riganti, then vicar general, led a congregation of over 1,000 people in a landmark pilgrimage to Cheung Chau. Since then, the annual pilgrimage has attracted numerous pilgrims from different parishes of Hong Kong to join and pay tribute to Our Lady of Fatima.
Although there has been a Catholic community in Cheung Chau since 1930s, it was only on 13 October 1952 that Bishop Lorenzo Bianchi erected a formal parish for the island and named it after Our Lady of Fatima. The church has borne 68 years of witness in the island.
In spite of pandemic constraints, the celebrations were intended for a spiritual renewal. The parish community led pilgrims and the faithful in praying 20 decades of the rosary before Bishop Joseph Ha officiated the Mass.
Father Miriala Bala Kishore and Father John Bosco Fung from the Salesians of Don Bosco, Father Tommy Murphy from the Missionary Society of St. Columban and Father Josekutty Mathew, the parish priest, concelebrated the Mass at 11.30am.
Bishop Ha appreciated the inclusiveness of the parish community as well of Cheung Chau island, where locals from the island, Chinese from other parts of Hong Kong and the mainland and foreigners who settled in the island live and support one another.
Explaining the attitude of the Blessed Mother in surrendering her life to the will of God, the bishop observed that the Church should pay attention and reach out to other Christian denominations and religious groups present on this small island to share our friendship and joy.
Bishop Ha guided a spiritual reflection later in the afternoon on the topic Our Lady from Icon to Faith. The talk reflected on the four doctrines of the Church in relation to the devotion to Blessed Virgin Mary, Marian Iconography and Marian apparitions and devotions. The bishop explained the role of Our Lady in the Church and how icons could be used to express our devotions and how could they assist us in prayer.
The feast day celebrations were concluded with the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
