HONG KONG (SE): “It is important to respond step by step and see where God will guide us,” said Joshua Leung Kai-hang, a seminarian who entered the Holy Spirit Seminary, Aberdeen, in August 2019.
Leung talked about his journey in responding to the vocation on May 7 during a sharing session organised by the Diocesan Vocation Commission and other parishes. The vocation journey is designated for the month of May in connection with the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, on the Fourth Sunday of Easter, which fell on May 8 this year.
Leung said he was born Catholic and grew up in a devout family. However, he recalled that he once questioned his faith when he was distracted by his eventful university life.
However, World Youth Day 2016 in Poland brought him back to Jesus and, at the same time, he started thinking about becoming a priest. He met his spiritual advisor regularly and began to discern his vocation.
Francesco Li Ho-long, a temporarily-professed brother who joined the Franciscans in 2020, shared a similar experience of becoming lost in university life, but God continued to guide him, and he soon discovered the peace and joy he received from the Lord was far greater than the gatherings with his friends.
However, World Youth Day 2016 in Poland brought him back to Jesus and, at the same time, he started thinking about becoming a priest. He met his spiritual advisor regularly and began to discern his vocation
Programmes in different parishes under the title, Mary, Mother of Vocations and Our Journey of Hope, have been organised for the month of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
A painting of Mary, Mother of Vocations, will travel to parishes to encourage prayers for vocations. The painting was blessed by Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing during a ceremony before the special Mass for Vocations at the Holy Spirit Seminary Chapel. It used to hang outside the seminary hostel in the Holy Spirit Seminary as a sign of protection.
Young people who regularly attend vocation gatherings in the seminary and representatives from different parishes joined the Mass, concelebrated by Father Paul Kam Po-Wai, chairperson of the Diocesan Vocation Commission, Father Fructuoso Lopez Martin, chairperson of Diocesan Youth Commission, Father Issac Noh and Father Joseph Gaoxu.
The painting shows the Blessed Virgin Mary extending her arms, protecting priests, religious sisters, deacons and those leading a consecrated life. It was painted years ago by the art teacher of a Catholic school at the request of Bishop Ha and Sister Margarita Chan Mei-yung, the then chairperson and executive secretary of the Diocesan Vocation Commission.
Father Kam said the programme is called A Journey of Hope because it is meant to encourage people to follow the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary amidst the wars, chaos and worries of Covid-19 pandemic, which has sapped the confidence of many, especially the young people.
If we love Jesus, we can do whatever he asks us to do: be a priest; a religious person or start a family; choose singles blessedness and serve the Lord with your skills.
“Mary was a good witness of faith in God. With her faith, she overcame her trials, bringing hope to us,” he said, as he thanked those who came to the Mass and asked them to pray for vocations.
Sister Rosalia Kong Sze-wai, executive secretary of the commission, said the trust of Mary in God shows us how to remain hopeful in the midst trials, which is a spirit we can bring to those around us.
The gospel reading for the World Day of Prayer for Vocations says, “My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me” [John 10:27]. Bishop Ha observed in his homily that vocation starts with a heart willing to listen to the voice of Jesus, and that ability relies on our relationship with him.
“If we love Jesus, we can do whatever he asks us to do: be a priest; a religious person or start a family; choose singles blessedness and serve the Lord with your skills.” The bishop invited those present to listen to the voice of Jesus in silence and with sensitivity.
On the following Sundays of May, the painting will travel to Visitation Parish, Tung Chung; Rosary Church, Tsim Sha Tsui; and the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception, Caine Road; where Masses will be celebrated by Father Kam, Father Joseph Chan Wing-chiu and Bishop Chow.
In the first week of the programme, the Holy Spirit Seminary held a rosary recitation for vocations on the night of May 11.
