HONG KONG (SE): In his apostolic exhortation, Gaudete et Exsultate [Rejoice and be glad], Pope Francis invites the faithful to follow the call to holiness and reminds us to be aware that “we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses” [Hebrews 12:1]. The faithful in Hong Kong now have a chance to connect with the saints through an exhibition of relics in July, organised by Treasures of the Church, an evangelisation ministry that travels the world. The highlight of the exhibition is a fragment of wood from the True Cross.
Father Carlos Martins, who is in charge of the evangelisation ministry, will bring more than 150 saints relics so people will have an opportunity to venerate them and experience the living faith of the Church and its 2,000 years of history.
The event is jointly organised by the Catholic Education Office and the Diocesan Pastoral Commission for Marriage and the Family and supported by other Church organisations. Relics of saints from different periods of Church history are included in the pilgrimage of relics. Among the relics are those of Jesus’ 11 apostles as well as St. Matthias, St. Paul, St. Mark, St. Luke, St. Mary Magdalene, along with those of popular saints such as St. Francis of Assisi, St. Anthony of Padua, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Faustina Kowalska, St. Vincent de Paul, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Pope St. Pius X and Pope St. John Paul II.
As part of the presentation, participants can attend a talk by Father Martin, explaining the Church’s use of sacred relics, including scripture, doctrine and devotion, which have brought many people to a renewal of their faith. In the exhibition hall displaying the relics, they can devote approximately 75 minutes to personal veneration, contact, and prayer.
The event will include 18 free sessions open to the public and school students. The maximum number of people for each session will be 300. The first session of the exhibition is scheduled for July 8 to 11 at St. Ignatius Chapel and the School Hall of Wah Yan College, Kowloon. Raimondi College and Caritas Caine Road Social Centre Community Hall will host the later sessions from July 12 to 18. On July 12, a special session for clergy, nuns, and Catholic school supervisors will be held.
Parish groups or individuals interested in participating can register at http://www.catholic.edu.hk/to-walk-with-the-saints/. The school registration deadline is June 30.
As a preparation for the pilgrimage, the organisers have prepared a series of short videos, hosted by Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing, that lays down the pilgrimage’s basic concepts and contents. The last session on July 18 will end with a thanksgiving Mass celebrated by Bishop Ha.
Pope Francis also grants a plenary indulgence to the faithful who participate in this pilgrimage of relics after fulfilling other conditions: properly receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation, receiving Holy Communion, reciting the Creed, and praying the Our Father and the Hail Mary for the pope’s intentions.
