HONG KONG (SE): Eight new permanent deacons were ordained for Hong Kong by Bishop Stephen Chow Sau Yan, sj, at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception, Caine Road on July 17. They are Gamaliel Cheng Tak-lit, Paul Lui Yu-shing, Thomas Lam Chiu-wan, Vincent Chan Lok-wang, Paul Wat Ho-keung, Francis Tang Chi-ho, Patrick Leung Pak-wai as well as Stephen Yau Siu-kwan.
The ceremony was also officiated by John Cardinal Tong Hon and Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing. The Mass was concelebrated by nearly 50 priests and assisted by around 20 permanent deacons.
After this ordination, there now 31 permanent deacons serving the diocese and eight candidates undergoing training in theology, pastoral care and charity service, together with five aspirants. Four permanent deacons were ordained last year after an interval of three-and-a-half years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
At the beginning the Mass, Bishop Chow expressed his gratefulness to God for the ordination of the eight who would serve the people of God, and thanked those who came to the ceremony to support them despite the red rainstorm warning signal.
Father Dominic Chan Chi-ming, chairperson of the Diocese Commission for the Permanent Diaconate, recommended the eight candidates to the bishop.
Bishop Chow then explained the duties of permanent deacons in assisting bishops and priests in the ministry of the word, of the altar and of charity, in spreading the gospel courageously, at the same time as they perform their roles in their own families with love, and build up a home through the Church for the suffering people.
The eight candidates then expressed their willingness to be ordained, to perform their duties with humility and a pure conscience, and to be obedient to the bishop and his successors.
The bishop laid hands on them, followed by the cardinal and Bishop Ha.
Bishop Chow then vested the newly-ordained with the diagonal deacon’s stole and placed the Book of the Gospels in their hands. Afterwards, the ordained were given a fraternal kiss of peace by the bishops, Cardinal Tong, deacons and priests. The eight then assisted the bishop at the altar.
At the end of the ceremony, Deacon Cheng thanked the bishops, Cardinal Tong, as well as priests, deacons, and all who contributed to the occasion. He said that the duties of deacons were not well-known by others and people that the duties of deacons differ from those of a priest as they are ordained people serving in society and the eight of them need to work hard to help people understand their duties. They asked those present for their support and comments so that they can be more like Christ.
At the end of the Mass, Bishop Chow urged more married men to consider the vocation to the permanent diaconate as the deacons also need help as they grow old.
Agnes Wong Ching-hung, Deacon Cheng’s mother, who came from Australia to attend the ceremony, said she was happy beyond expression to see her son ordained. She shared that he was raised in a devoted family but that she never expected that he would be a permanent deacon. She saw her son going through trials when he was simultaneously undergoing formation and working, and she always supported him in her prayers.
At the end of the Mass, Bishop Chow urged more married men to consider the vocation to the permanent diaconate as the deacons also need help as they grow old
“As I am sick, we really face a lot of challenges and pressure. My husband and I have discussed if we should go on responding to the vocation of permanent deacon. He thought of giving up his formation too. But after much prayer and discernment and the support of brothers and sisters in Christ, we know he still felt the call to follow Christ,” Shirley Lo Yun-lin, wife of newly-ordained permanent deacon Stephen Yau, wrote in a statement.
In her wheelchair, she attended her husband’s ordination with tears of joy. “I can only silently support him in sickness and pray for him. Maybe this is what the sacrament of marriage means: to face trials together in all circumstances,” she continued.
Deacon Lam received pastoral training at Our Lady of China Church, Tai Kwok Tsui and will be assigned to Rosary Church, Tsim Sha Tsui starting from August 1; Deacon Cheng received pastoral training at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and will be assigned to Holy Cross Parish, Shau Kei Wan starting from July 1.
As for other newly-ordained deacons, starting from July 1, Deacon Leung is appointed to Our Lady of Mount Camel church, Wan Chai; Deacon Lui, at St. Mary’s Parish, Hung Hom; Deacon Chan, St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Sham Shui Po; Deacon Wat, St. Andrew’s Parish, Tseung Kwun O; Deacon Tang at St. John the Baptist Parish, Kwun Tong; Deacon Yau at Our Lady of China Church, Tai Kwok Tsui.
According to the 2022 annual report of the Diocesan Commission for the Permanent Diaconate, the commission has set up a number of groups, including a spirituality group, a formation group and a social concern group, to show its concern for the growth of permanent deacons in their personal spirituality and how they can perform their prophetic role well.
As the participation of wives is essential to the formation of permanent deacons, special formation sessions were held for the wives of candidates to deepen their understanding of the diaconate.
