HONG KONG (SE): Cardinal Stephen Chow, S.J. appointed over 400 children from various parishes and Catholic primary schools in Hong Kong to serve as blessing ambassadors.
The inauguration Mass was held on April 20 at St. Ignatius Chapel, Wan Yan College, Kowloon, marking the beginning of a series of events in Hong Kong in response to the first World Children’s Day in Rome on May 25 and 26. These ambassadors have been tasked with sharing God’s love and hope with others.
On the Feast of the Immaculate Conception last year, Pope Francis announced during the Angelus that the first World Children’s Day would be held in May this year. This event is organised by the Dicastery of Culture and Education of the Holy See, and will take place in Rome. Children from all over the world will gather under the theme of “Behold, I made all things new” [Revelation 21:5].
During the event, they will meet the pope, participate in sharing sessions, and enjoy musical performances on May 25. Furthermore, they will attend a Mass presided over by the Holy Father at St. Peter’s Square on May 26.
In Hong Kong, vicar general, Father Paul Kam Po-wai, will lead a Taize prayer meeting for children at Ss. Cosmas and Damian Church, Tsuen Wan, on April 28. Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing will lead a Eucharistic adoration at Holy Spirit Seminary, Aberdeen, on May 5 and a children’s forum at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Tsing Yi, on May 18.
The formation of faith and vocation begins with the teaching of families from childhood. We have faith formation, but we have not talked specifically about vocations for children. I think it is good to start such formation at a very young age, as children develop their own thinking when they grow up
Father Kam
The Diocesan Vocation Commission, Diocesan Youth Commission, Diocesan Catechetical Centre, thecHong Kong Central Council of Catholic Laity, and the Home for Greenery, a lay group for children in marginalised families, jointly organised these activities.
Eight children from different deaneries in Hong Kong have been selected to join other children from around the world in Rome in May. They will receive formation after each of the activities in Hong Kong. The journey of the young delegates will be led by Father Kam, who is also the chairperson of the Diocesan Vocation Commission.
Sister Selina Leung, pastoral sister of the Diocesan Youth Commission;, Sister Josephine Suen, executive secretary of the Diocesan Vocation Commission; and Justine Chan of the Catechetical Centre will also be part of the team.
Father Kam said that the preparatory activities in Hong Kong are intended to encourage the youngest generation to reflect on their mission through the support of various commissions.
“The formation of faith and vocation begins with the teaching of families from childhood. We have faith formation, but we have not talked specifically about vocations for children. I think it is good to start such formation at a very young age, as children develop their own thinking when they grow up,” he said.
The cardinal encouraged everyone to focus on Jesus, who overcame death and darkness and will provide us with what is best and beautiful. He reminded us that even when we cannot see it, we must have hope as we share our eternal lives with Jesus Christ
He believes that the success of the Saint’s Catwalk Show for children on Mission Sunday last year showed that children enjoy being involved in fun and large-scale Church activities, which is helpful in their formation.
The Mass began with an entrance procession led by eight chosen delegates, accompanied by their parents.
In his homily, Cardinal Stephen shared a story of a girl’s plant that had bloomed in her neighbour’s home without her knowledge. He emphasised the importance of recognising the signs of hope that already exist in our lives.
The cardinal encouraged everyone to focus on Jesus, who overcame death and darkness and will provide us with what is best and beautiful. He reminded us that even when we cannot see it, we must have hope as we share our eternal lives with Jesus Christ.
Cardinal Stephen also told the children another story about a weird disease that deprived people in two buildings of their ability to bend their arms so they could not feed themselves. In one of the buildings, people hoarded their food and didn’t share, which led to starvation. In the other building, people helped each other eat and were able to enjoy their meals.
The cardinal used this story to explain that much of the anxiety in our world comes from a mindset of resentment and competition, where we are influenced by each other’s negative attitudes. Instead, he emphasised the importance of caring for one another, listening to each other’s needs, and being grateful for the help we receive. This is the kind of spirit that creates a heaven on earth.
At the end of the Mass, the eight child representatives to Rome were commissioned by the cardinal to make friends with delegates from all over the world and to deepen their understanding of God, while the children vowed to bring the Good News to people around them with humility and a heart willing to learn.
The cardinal commissioned all the children present as “blessing ambassadors.” He encouraged them to share God’s love with others every day and gave them a wristband as a reminder. The children were also given a “blessing passport” to record how they show love to others.
Sister Catherine Fung of the Diocesan Vocation Commission, an organiser of different World Children’s Day events in Hong Kong, said she hopes that as children from Hong Kong gather in Rome, and share with others, they will understand the meaning of a universal Church.
Before the Mass, nearly 20 diocesan commissions and religious institutes set up booth games for children to learn more about the Church and Catholic values. A closing ceremony will be officiated by Cardinal Stephen on July 1.
