HONG KONG (SE): The Hong Kong Hymnos Festival Society (Hymnos), a lay association of Catholics with a mission to spread the message of the gospel through hymns, unveiled their logo at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Caine Road, on June 27. The apostolic administrator of Hong Kong, John Cardinal Tong Hon Hon, and head of the Holy See Study Mission, Monsignor Javier Herrera Corona, officiated the unveiling ceremony, held immediately after the musical offering in honour of Pope Francis on the occasion of the feast of Ss. Peter and Paul.
Introducing Hymnos, Angela Hui Wing-man, chairperson of the society said, “Through hymn-singing, we would like to spread God’s message, praise the Lord and to evangelise with our brothers and sisters from different parishes. We hope to present this unique music genre featuring a rich collection of hymn music written over time and in different formats from Gregorian chant to choral singing and pop music.”
Cardinal Tong while unveiling the logo wished God’s abundant blessings on the society and prayed that its endeavours would bear fruit in spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ. “Singing of hymns, especially during Divine worship and liturgical services has a long tradition in the history of the Catholic Church. The Hong Kong Hymnos Festival Society is the first Catholic Lay Association in Hong Kong to promote hymn-singing through public performances, new compositions and training programmes,” the cardinal added.
Monsignor Herrera Corona also wished the society and its leadership an abundance of blessings and fruitful service to society. He observed that it is “an association fostered by enthusiastic Catholics who want to promote, through music, the values of the gospel. Hong Kong Hymnos Festival emerges as an innovative instrument of modern evangelisation and as an intrepid initiative to promote inter-religious dialogue, cultural exchange and harmony in our society.”
The first Hymnos Festival was launched at the Parsons Music Academy, Causeway Bay, on June 28. “The festival is created to share the message of love and faith through soothing hymn singing. It is open to people of all faiths. We hope to bring enlightenment and awakening of our spirit through hymn music,” Hui said.
Hymnos, a Greek word, is the root word of ‘hymns’ in English, which means song of praise. Hui explained that the society also aims to show concern for the needy in society, as people from marginalised groups will also be invited to perform. In the first year, it will invite members from the Caritas Rehabilitation Services (CRS) to sing on stage together with others. These are staff members from the CRS who had once experienced mental or autistic disturbances and have since recovered. “But the audience will not be able to tell which performers are from our community service partners. I think this is the essence of a harmonious society: no labelling,” she said.
Father Lawrence Lee Len, diocesan chancellor and spiritual director of the society, told the Sunday Examiner that he appreciates the society for using a unique way to evangelise, which is in line with the appeal of Pope Francis, who urged the entire Church to “embark on a new chapter of evangelism” in his apostolic exhortation The Joy of the Gospel (Evangelii Gaudium). He believes evangelisation is not limited to preaching. Hymns are a good way to express the love of God for people. “The concerts to be held in public venues instead of Church premises also show that hymns can be promoted to the public and non-believers,” he said.
…it is ‘an association fostered by enthusiastic Catholics who want to promote, through music, the values of the gospel. Hong Kong Hymnos Festival emerges as an innovative instrument of modern evangelisation and as an intrepid initiative to promote inter-religious dialogue, cultural exchange and harmony in our society’
Monsignor Corona Herrera
Colleen Lee Ka-ling, a celebrated pianist, shared her childhood experience of serving as a pianist in the church choir. She believes classical music has a soothing effect and one reason is its close relationship with religion. She also performed on the occasion with singer and lyricist, Peco Chui Wai-yin. Then, local composer, Anthony Cheng, on the piano together with Chu Wan-pin (Erhuist), accompanied Chui who sang one of the songs from the musical, Matteo Ricci, presenting a truly harmonious picture using Chinese and Western instruments.
According to the media release from the society, the festival debut will take place from November 10 to 15. The opening concert will be held at the Hong Kong City Hall on November 10, while the closing concert is scheduled to be at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall on November 15. It will be the first time to this unique music genre will be showcased in a festival for the public in Hong Kong. Two other events are scheduled at Wah Yan College, Kowloon on November 13 and at Caritas Institute of Higher Education, Tseung Kwan O, on November 14.
Hymnos Festival will present some of Hong Kong’s best choral groups, ensembles, pianists and composers, playing and singing hymn music to the highest standards. It will also stage a special workshop on the magnificent Gregorian chant.
The list of performers also includes music educator and conductor, Professor Chan Wing-wah, pianist and music director Phoebus Chan Chun-hin.
Furthermore, Hong Kong-based choral bands AMDG, GsM, Vox Antiqua and the newly formed chamber music ensemble NEXUS will showcase their original works.
The performers’ list continues with the vivacious a cappella group, Dolce Voce, from Macau, and the “singing priest” Father Ray Kelly from Ireland. In a video message, Father Kelly told those present at the ceremony that he was “honoured and privileged” to come to Hong Kong in November, despite the travel restrictions linked to the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic.
David Costello, consul general of the Irish Consulate in Hong Kong, was in admiration of the talent of Father Kelly. “The priest was the only performer in the Britain’s Got Talent show who was able to move the audience into a silent reflection at first and a standing ovation at the end,” he said.
He believes the performance of the world-renowned singing priest will be another symbol of the rich connections between the Church in Ireland and Hong Kong, considering that over 100 Irish missionaries have been sent to the city during its history.
Established in April 2020, the Hong Kong Hymnos Festival Society has been in communication with different parishes since early June to recruit volunteers. As a registered and non-profit making organisation, it is self-financing and welcomes donations as well.
