The Source of Hope

As we step into the new year, the Catholic Church offers us a powerful reminder of renewal and grace through the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which concludes the series of liturgical celebrations following Christmas. This feast also marks the official beginning of the 2025 Jubilee Year, an invitation for the faithful to embrace conversion, spiritual renewal, and a deepened mission of hope, as proclaimed in the induction bull Spe Non Confundit: “Through our witness, may we bring hope to all those yearning for it.”
In Hong Kong, our diocese has embraced this call with two significant initiatives that set the tone for this Jubilee Year.
The first is the Diocesan Emblem Design Competition, inspired by Pope Francis’ call for synodality—a journey of communion and collaboration. This creative challenge invites the faithful to design an emblem reflecting the Church’s mission of walking together. Remarkably, the competition also extends to non-Catholics, fostering interfaith dialogue and understanding. By welcoming diverse perspectives, this initiative exemplifies the Church’s openness and its commitment to building bridges, promoting harmony, and listening to the hopes and concerns of all members of society.
The second initiative celebrates the restoration of the Epiphany of Our Lord Chapel in Sham Chung, Sai Kung. Built between 1875 and 1879, with the current structure dating to 1956, the chapel has witnessed over 150 years of faith, community, and service. Early missionaries not only provided spiritual guidance to the villagers of Sham Chung but also supported their material needs, such as constructing seawalls to protect farmland. As time passed and villagers relocated, the chapel’s role evolved, becoming a retreat site and a place of occasional pilgrimage. By the late 1990s, the chapel was handed over to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Tai Po.
Its recent restoration is a testament to the diocese’s commitment to preserving historical and spiritual heritage. The restored chapel now stands as a beacon, inviting both believers and non-believers to reflect on the faith and resilience of those who came before us. It serves as a reminder of the enduring call to stewardship—both spiritual and ecological. This restoration effort bridges the past and present, offering inspiration for future generations to cherish their faith and care for creation.
The diocese’s Jubilee Year began with a solemn and moving ceremony, during which young people carried the cross in procession to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Cardinal Stephen Chow, S.J., presided over the inauguration, urging the faithful to become “Messengers of Hope,” spreading God’s love and hope from Hong Kong to the nation and beyond.
In this Jubilee Year, we are reminded that the Lord walks with us on our journey. His presence strengthens us to face challenges and overcome obstacles with courage. He is, indeed, the source of all hope—a hope that renews our hearts and inspires us to share His love with a world in need.
As we embrace this sacred time, let us carry this message of hope into every corner of our lives, becoming living witnesses of God’s enduring promise. SE