The opening of the Jubilee Year 2025 has ushered in a season of grace for the global Catholic Church. In Hong Kong, nine churches have been designated as pilgrimage sites where the faithful may obtain a plenary indulgence under prescribed conditions. Among these is the Chapel of St. Joseph, situated on the picturesque offshore island of Yim Tin Tsai in the Sai Kung District.
Motivated by their parish priest, Father Thomas Law, the English-speaking community at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Wan Chai celebrated the New Year with a significant pilgrimage to the Chapel. On January 1, over 150 parishioners travelled to Yim Tin Tsai for a day dedicated to prayer, reflection, and fellowship.
The pilgrimage began with the Eucharistic Celebration at St. Joseph Chapel, presided over by Father Josekutty Mathew, cmf. In his homily, Father Mathew reminded the congregation of the true essence of a pilgrimage. “This is not a simple outing or a picnic,” he explained. “A pilgrimage is an intentional journey, made with a particular intention in mind. What grace do I seek in this journey? What change do I hope for?” Father Jose emphasised that obtaining the Plenary Indulgence during the Jubilee Year must lead to personal transformation and deeper discipleship.
Drawing from the day’s readings, Father Mathew shared three reflections for the pilgrims heading into 2025. Inspired by Numbers 6:22-27, he urged the community to greet each other with meaningful blessings, saying, “When we say, ‘May the Lord bless you and keep you,’ we nurture relationships of blessing.”
Inspired by the second Reading from Galatians 4:4-7, Father Mathew emphasised trusting God’s timing: “The ‘fullness of time’ is determined by God. As we enter this new year, let us place ourselves in His hands and live as pilgrims of hope.”
At the end of the Mass, Deacon Alex Kwok elaborated on the meaning of the Jubilee celebration, emphasising the importance of both corporal and spiritual works of mercy. Following this, Kim Chan Wan-ying, a staff member at the Salt and Light Preservation Centre, offered a brief historical reflection on the missionary efforts of St. Joseph Freinademetz svd, who introduced the Catholic faith to the original Hakka villagers of Yim Tin Tsai during the 1880s. He mentioned that the Chapel of St. Joseph has consistently provided a sense of unity for the community over the years.
Following a shared lunch near the chapel, pilgrims participated in the Nature Trail of Reconciliation, a prayer walk designed by Father Dominic Chan, whose ancestors hailed from Yim Tin Tsai. This spiritual activity encouraged participants to contemplate their connections with God, nature, each other, and themselves as they traversed the picturesque trail.
Unique artworks displayed at different stations enhanced the experience, highlighting the island’s identity as a “living art” museum.
The day wrapped up with a visit to the Yim Tin Tsai salt pan, a rejuvenated historical location now included in the village’s attractions. This last stop was a reminder of the pilgrims’ mission to be the “salt of the earth,” infusing the world with flavour and vitality through acts of faith, hope and charity.
The jubilee pilgrimage to Yim Tin Tsai not only deepened the faith of OLMC’s English-speaking community but also set a spiritually enriching tone for the Jubilee Year 2025. As they journey forward, the pilgrims carry with them the reflections, blessings, and inspirations from this sacred encounter.
By Sr. Victoria Victorino, pddm
