HONG KONG (SE): “The experience of being a Child Blessing Ambassador is very precious. Through this mission, not only can I have the chance to care for the people around me, but I can also share God’s love with them,” said Janae Dai, during the concluding and blessing ceremony of World Children’s Day in Hong Kong at Wa Yan College, Kowloon, on July 1.
Dai, along with seven other child representatives from Hong Kong, participated in the World Children’s Day event in Rome from May 25 to 26. In April, she was appointed as a goodwill ambassador, joining 400 other children at the opening ceremony in Hong Kong. Initially anxious about bestowing blessings upon others, Dai found encouragement from her fellow parishioners and priests, which propelled her to participate in the service. Despite encountering individuals unfamiliar with Catholicism, she found joy in serving others in the mission.
More than 200 children from schools and parishes in Hong Kong, accompanied by their parents and catechists, attended the closing ceremony to celebrate the success of the various World Children’s Day events over the past few months and to look forward to the next one in 2026.
In his message, Cardinal Stephen Chow, S.J. said that the trip to Rome was a special blessing that would prepare the children for their future service to God and probably inspire some of them to consider a religious vocation. He emphasised that evangelisation involves action and service. “Evangelisation goes beyond simply reading the gospel to people; it involves sharing God’s love through action and service,” he said.
The experience of being a Child Blessing Ambassador is very precious. Through this mission, not only can I have the chance to care for the people around me, but I can also share God’s love with them
Janae Dai
Cardinal Stephen expressed his full support participation in World Children’s Day in 2026, saying that they represent the future of the Church. He also emphasised the importance of developing understanding and empathy for others from an early age, and urged children to remain positive despite any disappointments they may experience from their family, parents or even the Church.
“The Church needs our younger brothers and sisters to have a greater awareness and understanding of others, something that is lacking in this world,” the cardinal said.
Later, during the blessing ceremony in St. Ignatius Chapel, Cardinal Stephen encouraged the children to help people without thinking of how small their power is. “Jesus needs you to contribute what you have so that, with God’s help, miracles can be achieved,” he said.
The day began with an opening prayer led by vicar general, Father Paul Kam Po-wai, who thanked God for the blessings and active participation of priests, nuns and other members of the community in ensuring the smooth running of the various events of the World Children’s Day.
Father Kam also prayed for the children and families involved, wishing that these gatherings would promote learning and growth and inspire participants to seek self-renewal.
The Church needs our younger brothers and sisters to have a greater awareness and understanding of others, something that is lacking in this world
Cardinal Stephen
An overview of the key events since April was provided in the form of a video presentation, which included an inauguration ceremony, a Taizé prayer meeting, a Eucharistic adoration, and a Children’s Council, culminating with the experiences of the child delegates who attended World Youth Day programmes in Rome. The events were jointly organised by the Diocesan Vocation Commission, the Diocesan Youth Commission, the Diocesan Catechetical Centre, the Hong Kong Central Council of Catholic Laity, as well as the Home for Greenery, a lay group for children in marginalised families.
Father Andrew Kim, parish priest of St. Margaret Church, said he was glad to be blessed by Dai, his parishioner. He hopes the participants will remember the blessings they received during the World Children’s Day event and be motivated to become important members of the Church.
Eunice Chan, from the Precious Blood Primary School, said she was honoured to be a blessing ambassador in her school, and she hopes that she can be a good helping hand for God so that people can see him through the ambassadors.
Another child participant, Lucas Lam, discussed how World Children’s Day deepened his knowledge of the faith and how pilgrimages in Rome inspired him to reflect on Jesus’ sufferings. In the children’s village, he had the opportunity to share faith with other child representatives from around the world, and he realised that some spent more time strengthening their faith than he did.
In addition, Valerie Chiu expressed her joy at meeting the Filipino and Italian delegates staying together at the Children’s Village as well as greeting Pope Francis on behalf of the Hong Kong delegation. “I felt grateful and excited at the same time as I had the opportunity to meet Pope Francis during my first pilgrimage to Rome,” she remarked.
Following the sharing session, children invited Cardinal Stephen to participate in a dance honouring God’s blessing, which he gladly accepted, bringing everyone joy and excitement.
Various Church groups and religious congregations then hosted various games and activities for the children. Later, they attended a blessing ceremony led by the cardinal at St. Ignatius Chapel.
Children also took the opportunity to celebrate Cardinal Stephen’s 30th anniversary as a priest by blessing him. He humbly accepted, kneeling as children sang a hymn to ask for God’s blessings.
At the end of the event, children carrying colourful balloons walked through a doorway blessed by the cardinal symbolising the spread of hope within the community and a welcoming gesture towards the Jubilee Year of 2025.
