HONG KONG (SE): The Holy Spirit Seminary College of Theology and Philosophy held a graduation ceremony with a Mass celebrated at 3:00pm on December 3 at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception, Caine Road.
The Mass was celebrated by Cardinal Stephen Chow, SJ, John Cardinal Tong Hon, together with Father Peter Choy Wai-man, Father Edward Chau King-fun and Father Henry Ng Kwok-po, the directors of the Theology Division, Philosophy Division and the Higher Institute of Religious Sciences respectively, along with other priests involved in the formation programme at the college.
A total of 12 students were awarded a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology, two were awarded a Higher Diploma in Theology, seven were awarded a Bachelor’s Degree in Religious Studies, and 10 were awarded a Diploma in Philosophy. Not all were able to attend on the day.
In his homily, Cardinal Stephen expressed his appreciation for the hard work of both graduates and teachers. He reminded them, however, that they do not study because they are interested in the subject matter or to improve their qualifications.
As the feast of St. Francis Xavier, the first Jesuit missionary, was celebrated on that day, the cardinal encouraged the graduates using the example of the saint who dedicated his life to Christ after being moved by the Holy Spirit. He encouraged the graduates to consider whether their hearts had been touched by the Holy Spirit during their studies.
“If you are willing to put down some of your own needs and allow God to continue to do the work to mould you to change your life, and when God allows you to motivate others’ hearts, then that is your success, and you are a real graduate,” the cardinal said.
If you are willing to put down some of your own needs and allow God to continue to do the work to mould you to change your life, and when God allows you to motivate others’ hearts, then that is your success, and you are a real graduate
Cardinal Stephen
“If you study only to increase your knowledge to satisfy your curiosity, this is a relatively low level thinking. Don’t be unworthy of your professors’ dedication and efforts and God’s gifts. God’s people place high hopes on you,” he exhorted them.
The graduates of the three divisions then expressed their appreciation for Cardinal Stephen’s encouragement and the support of their teachers, family members and staff, and at the same time expressed their commitment to spreading the gospel.
Katy Liu of the Philosophy Division said that the studies helped her better understand the interdependent relationship between God, the Earth and humanity, which reminds her to love the people around her. “Knowing about life and living out our faith is the goal of our learning for a lifetime,” she said.
Agatha Chong of the Theology Division recalled that her colleagues and friends expressed surprise when she told them she would pursue a five-year degree programme in theology and asked her who would recognise the degree. “I told them that the most important thing is that God will recognise!” she said among the applause of those present. She believes the determination to study in the seminary college was a calling from God, and the spiritual rewards from her studies have brought her closer to him.
Hong Kong is still a place where most people do not know Jesus. With a lot of material pursuits in their lives, their spirituality is not rich, so they are often unhappy. God, please motivate us so that we can become your tool to help more people know Jesus Christ, appreciate and cherish their lives, and pursue eternal joy
Amos Chan
Amos Chan of the Higher Institute of Religious Sciences recalled the happy moments when his classmates and former students supported each another through a study group before examinations and weekly teatime gatherings over the past four years. He said his studies made it necessary for him to give up some important family gatherings and he thanked his wife for her understanding.
Above all, he thanked Jesus Christ for his guidance so that he could learn more about the Holy Trinity and the Church. As a layperson, he regards it a great blessing to study in the beautiful campus of the seminary. He encouraged all graduates and himself to spread the good news quoting the words of St. Paul: “Thus I aspire to proclaim the gospel not where Christ has already been named so that I do not build on another’s foundation” [Romans 15:20].
“Hong Kong is still a place where most people do not know Jesus. With a lot of material pursuits in their lives, their spirituality is not rich, so they are often unhappy. God, please motivate us so that we can become your tool to help more people know Jesus Christ, appreciate and cherish their lives, and pursue eternal joy,” he said.
