HONG KONG (SE): On January 1, the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, Cardinal Stephen Chow, S.J., celebrated a Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception to mark the World Day of Peace. The event, organised by the Diocesan Commission for Integral Human Development, was a prayerful occasion for global peace and for victims of wars and conflicts. Cardinal Stephen emphasized the importance of individual transformation, urging the faithful to embrace faith and cooperation for a better world.
The 58th World Day of Peace, as highlighted by Pope Francis in his message, centred on themes of debt forgiveness and solidarity. The pope underscored humanity’s indebtedness to God and one another, calling for compassion and unity across communities.
The Mass, concelebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing, OFM., parish priest Father Dominic Chan Chi-ming, and five other priests, began with Cardinal Stephen extending New Year greetings in Cantonese, Mandarin, and English.
His homily reflected on the power of faith, inspired by the theme of debt forgiveness. He reminded the congregation that through baptism, our debts of sin are forgiven, and our identities are renewed as children of God. This grace, he said, enables us to call God “Abba Father” and to live as heirs to his kingdom.
Cardinal Stephen urged the faithful to nurture this grace in their hearts, much like the Blessed Virgin Mary, who pondered God’s words and followed his will. He called for a meaningful pursuit of peace through personal transformation, suggesting practical steps such as being generous rather than calculating, sharing with others to overcome selfishness, seeking God’s forgiveness to extend forgiveness to others, and replacing worries with hope by working for a better world and collaborating with people of diverse backgrounds.
A testimony from Alex Chang, secretary general of the Good Shepherd Renewal Ministry, brought the message of transformation to life. Chang shared his journey from being a death row prisoner to a believer inspired by the support of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, including the late Sister Teresa Yuen and Sister Emily Wong. Convicted of a serious crime, Chang’s death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment. Over 26 years in prison, he encountered God’s love and forgiveness, which empowered him to rebuild his life after his release in 2016.
Chang spoke candidly about the challenges of reconciling with his past, including the pain of family separation and self-forgiveness. With gratitude for God’s grace, he established a group to help prisoners re-integrate into society. Reflecting on a question about why he chose not to live anonymously, Chang explained that his faith compelled him to share his experiences and support others who have made mistakes. He recalled advice from a priest, which helped him view his past errors as part of a greater journey, and embraced God’s calling to aid others in need of redemption.
Through his ministry, Chang has focused on preventing recidivism and providing resources to those seeking a fresh start. He expressed joy in witnessing the progress of former inmates who have participated in the group’s integration program, noting that none have reoffended since their release. He thanked donors and staff who contribute to the ministry’s mission, saying, “I am thankful to God for allowing me to use my experiences to help others make better decisions and to guide volunteers in protecting themselves while showing love to those seeking repentance.”
The Mass concluded with offerings donated to support the Good Shepherd Renewal Ministry’s work with former prisoners. The event attracted hundreds of attendees, united in their concern for victims of global conflicts and disasters.
Among the attendees, Little Sister Agnes Lai Fong of Jesus shared her sorrow over the world’s political and social turmoil, including a recent plane crash in South Korea that deeply affected the Korean sisters in her community. Another participant, Rhea Azarraga, voiced her distress over natural disasters, particularly typhoons, landslides, and volcanic eruptions in the Philippines. She recounted a recent volcanic eruption in her hometown in Negros Occidental, which blanketed the region in ash. Despite the calamity, she expressed relief that her family remained safe.
The celebration ended with a prayer seeking the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, underscoring the theme of transformation and hope. Cardinal Stephen’s message of faith, forgiveness, and collaboration resonated with the congregation, inspiring them to strive for peace and to work toward a brighter future for all.
