HONG KONG (SE): “The event was intended to encourage parishes to pray together for vocations before the image of Mary, Mother of Vocations, and reach out to young people whom the Commission could approach for follow-up activities,” Father Paul Kam Po-wai, explained as he spoke about the vocation promotion event, Mary, Mother of Vocations and Our Journey of Hope, organised by the Diocesan Vocation Commission between May and June.
“The monthly programme has achieved its goal,” said Father Kam, vicar general and chairperson of the commission.
A pilgrimage of the image of Mary, Mother of Vocations started on May 8 and began travelling to several parishes, including Rosary Church in Tsim Sha Tsui and Visitation Parish in Tung Chung where Masses, rosary prayer meetings, as well as sharing sessions on vocations were held [Sunday Examiner, May 15].
A series of events promoting vocations kicked off at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception on May 28 when the Marian image was welcomed into the parish. This included a Mass celebrated by Bishop Stephen Chow Sau Yan, SJ, on May 29, the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord.
Every Christian is called to bear witness to faith and hope. God chooses people to become priests and permanent deacons, brothers and religious sisters who lead a unique life dedicated to God in the world, and they also need to shoulder the responsibility of spreading the gospel. Each of our lives is unique as God has chosen us to walk on the path of faith and hope
Bishop Chow
Before the Mass concelebrated by parish priest, Father Dominic Chan Chi-ming and Father Kam, the image was processed to the altar of the cathedral, with the altar servers, the Legion of Mary and other parishioners reciting the rosary.
“Every Christian is called to bear witness to faith and hope. God chooses people to become priests and permanent deacons, brothers and religious sisters who lead a unique life dedicated to God in the world, and they also need to shoulder the responsibility of spreading the gospel. Each of our lives is unique as God has chosen us to walk on the path of faith and hope,” Bishop Chow said at the beginning of the Mass.
“On this path, we are never alone as we have Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary, our pioneers and predecessors who are with us,” he continued.
Referring to the gospel of the day, Bishop Chow said the disciples were joyful over the Ascension of the Lord because they were aware of the meaning of Jesus’ resurrection and their mission to bear witness to him.
He said the Blessed Virgin Mary helped the disciples to build up the early Church, which was also part of her vocation. “Her mission was to be present, to journey with and to help this community, which is now also our vocation,” he pointed out
Bishop Chow concluded by pointing out that our vocation is similar: to contribute with zeal, talent and a heart to share about the salvation of the Lord and the sincerity to listen, communicate and serve
The bishop reflected on the inspiration of St. Charles de Foucauld, who was canonised on May 15. He shared the same vocation of journeying with others and is called the Universal Brother abiding with the least and the most forsaken.
His mission led him to settle in the Algerian Sahara to spread the gospel to the indigenous people and develop a brotherly relationship with the Muslims.
Bishop Chow concluded by pointing out that our vocation is similar: to contribute with zeal, talent and a heart to share about the salvation of the Lord and the sincerity to listen, communicate and serve.
At the end of the Mass, Sister Rosalia Kong Sze-wai, executive secretary of the Diocesan Vocation Commission, expressed the gladness of the commission to journey with people who intended to respond to their religious vocation and to build up a culture of responding and listening with patience.
She said accompaniment, support and above all, prayers are needed as one walks on the path of vocation with its ups and downs. She encouraged people to join a regular prayer campaign organised by the commission.
Father Joseph Chan Wing-chiu said the Holy Spirit would guide us for our vocation, be it married life, single blessedness or the consecrated life, and lead us to a life with peace of mind
Father Kam expressed his gratitude to Bishop Chow and the cathedral for supporting the programme and thanked the congregation, including the members of the Serra Club of Hong Kong, for their presence.
Canossian Sister Catherine Fung Yuen-ching, Permanent Deacon Louis Wong Chin-to and Brother John Chong of Marist Brothers of the Schools, also shared how they responded to the calling of God to lead a religious life.
Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing led a prayer service to intercede for vocations on June 2 and Father Chan celebrated a concluding Mass for the pilgrimage organised with the image of Mary, Mother of Vocations on June 3.
On May 22, in a Mass celebrated at Rosary Church, Tsim Sha Tsui, vicar general, Father Joseph Chan Wing-chiu said the Holy Spirit would guide us for our vocation, be it married life, single blessedness or the consecrated life, and lead us to a life with peace of mind. The Mass was concelebrated by parish priest, Father Mario Gutierrez Carrejo.
A sharing session was also held in which Father Timothy Wan Kwok-kwong and Sister Fung spoke about their journeys of vocation.
On May 14, a Mass was celebrated by Father Kam, concelebrated by parish priest Father Manoj Mallackal and assistant parish priest Father Mieczyslaw Drozd at Visitation Parish, Tung Chung.
During the Mass, Father Kam recalled the prayer intention of Pope Francis for the month of May. The Holy Father prays that young people will see in Mary’s life the way to listen, the depth of discernment, the courage faith creates, and the dedication to service.
The image of Mary, Mother of Vocations was brought back to the Holy Spirit Seminary by three young people from the cathedral and welcomed at a ceremony officiated by Bishop Ha and Father Kam on June 4.
Bishop Ha said he was happy to see the image promoting awareness of vocations in different parishes over the past month. He said receiving the Holy Spirit and experiencing the love of God will prompt us to do something for God in return and think about our vocations.
He encouraged people to pray for everyone’s vocation, especially religious vocation.
