HONG KONG (SE): On June 29, Cardinal Stephen Chow, S.J., bishop of Hong Kong, ordained Wilson Choi Wai-san, Joseph Ng Wai-hang, Francis Mok Chun-keung, and John Siu Sze-chuen to the permanent diaconate at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception, Caine Road.
Joseph Cardinal Zen Ze-kiun, Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing, and over 20 priests, assisted by around 30 deacons, concelebrated the Mass.
Deacon Siu, representing the four newly-ordained deacons, extended thanks to God for his blessings and care, in addition to expressing gratitude to Cardinal Stephen, the concelebrating priests and deacons in attendance, as well as family members and supporters who attended the ceremony.
The new deacons vowed to rely entirely on the Lord, serve the most vulnerable and spread the gospel. In particular, they acknowledged the support and guidance of the Diocesan Commission for the Permanent Diaconate, their dedicated teachers and mentors, the liturgical commission, the parishes they have served, and other supporting organisations. Siu also thanked fellow deacons and candidates who openly shared their experiences with them.
“While men rarely extend their thanks to each other and usually just nod in agreement, permanent deacons are a bit different,” he chuckled. “In our years of formation, we were willing to express ourselves, share our shortcomings and worries, and share our joys and disappointments as we engage in service.”
In our years of formation, we were willing to express ourselves, share our shortcomings and worries, and share our joys and disappointments as we engage in service
Deacon Siu
He said, “We pray that we, like the early deacons of the Church, will continue to contribute our respective talents and bear witness to Christ with our actions.”
Cardinal Stephen encouraged the four by mentioning the symbolic meaning of being “clothed” by those they love and respect following their vesting with diaconal vestments. “This act of dressing someone represents their expectations, blessings, and a mission bestowed upon the person. The vestments, therefore, hold weight and represent a responsibility,” he said.
The cardinal exhorted them not to be burdened by this responsibility, but rather to embrace it and move forward with determination and courage, trusting in God’s guidance and the power of the Holy Spirit to empower them through all challenges.
At the beginning of the ordination ceremony, Father Dominic Chan Chi-ming, chairperson of the Diocesan Commission for the Permanent Diaconate, recommended the candidates to Cardinal Stephen. The cardinal then explained the duties of deacons in the ministry of the Word, the altar, and charitable works and stressed the importance of serving others with love and humility in imitation of Christ. The cardinal urged them to dedicate themselves fully to serving God, rejecting any other priorities or temptations, including clericalism.
He encouraged married deacons to live their faith fully within their family and Church roles, reminding them that marriage is a divine calling to serve, and a strong family life builds confidence in serving the Church.
Margaret Siu, the wife of one of the new deacons, expressed deep gratitude for God’s calling which is a blessing for her and her husband
Candidates then expressed their willingness to be ordained and vowed to serve with humility, a pure conscience, and obey the bishop and his successors. Cardinal Stephen then conferred the diaconate by imposing his hands on the candidates’ heads. Cardinal Zen and Bishop Ha also placed their hands on them in the liturgy of consecration.
Upon receiving the diaconal vestments from the cardinal, newly ordained deacons were vested with the outer dalmatic and the stole, worn over the left shoulder and under the dalmatic.
Finally, the new deacons also took the Book of the Gospels from the cardinal, thus assuming the responsibility of proclaiming and preaching God’s Word with wisdom, charity, and zeal.
The newly ordained deacons then received a fraternal kiss of peace from all the clergy present at the ceremony.
Margaret Siu, the wife of one of the new deacons, expressed deep gratitude for God’s calling which is a blessing for her and her husband. She said she would stand by him, no matter what challenges arise, trust in God’s strength and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and be committed to continuing their service to God and people.
