HONG KONG (SE): Cardinal Stephen Chow S.J., bishop of Hong Kong, emphasised unity and mutual understanding among the Churches in China as he celebrated a Mass on May 24 for the Church in China on the feast of Mary Help of Christians. He urged the faithful to pray for the Church’s continued growth and highlighted the protective role of Mary. At the same time, he encouraged openness to divine guidance, reminding all that God’s love is with every community.
In 2007, Pope Benedict XVI designated May 24—the feast of Our Lady, Help of Christians—as the World Day of Prayer for the Church in China, following the publication of his pastoral letter to Chinese Catholics that same May.
The Mass was concelebrated by John Tong Cardinal Hon and Joseph Zen Cardinal Ze-kiun, bishops emeritus of Hong Kong, as well as Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing, and more than ten priests at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Caine Road.
At the beginning of the Mass, Cardinal Stephen addressed the congregation in Mandarin, Cantonese, and English, inviting all present to pray during this Jubilee Year for Pope Leo XIV and the Church in China, that it may continue to grow as a true witness to the love of God.
Cardinal Stephen urged the faithful to trust in God’s blessing for China, affirming that the Lord will guide the nation to live out the values of truth and synodality amid an increasingly individualistic world
The celebration was jointly organised by the Diocesan Liturgical Commission and supported by the Holy Spirit Study Centre.
In his Mandarin homily, Cardinal Stephen urged the faithful to trust in God’s blessing for China, affirming that the Lord will guide the nation to live out the values of truth and synodality amid an increasingly individualistic world.
In his English homily, the cardinal reflected on Mary’s essential role as the New Eve and Mother of the Church. He spoke of her prayerful support among the early apostles and her enduring maternal care for the faithful in China today.
“We believe that Our Lady of China, and Mary, Help of Christians, has always been with the people of God in China—praying for them and offering them her maternal consolation,” Cardinal Stephen said.
In his Cantonese homily, he addressed the diverse and complex situations faced by different Church communities across China. He called for empathy and deeper understanding rather than generalisation, acknowledging that each Church faces its own unique challenges. He urged mercy and cautioned against judgment, emphasising God’s presence and love in both the open and underground communities.
We believe that Our Lady of China, and Mary, Help of Christians, has always been with the people of God in China—praying for them and offering them her maternal consolation
Cardinal Stephen
“Please do not judge or generalise about people in either the open or underground Church,” he said. “Only they know the circumstances influencing their decisions, and only the Lord can see into their hearts.” He cited Luke 6:36–37: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful… Do not judge, and you will not be judged.”
He further noted that media reports about the Church in mainland China often do not present a complete or balanced picture. He warned of the risks of oversimplification when discussing the Church’s reality on the mainland.
Cardinal Stephen called on the faithful to remain open to the guidance of the Holy Trinity, reaffirming that God’s love and justice are present with all believers, regardless of their circumstances.
“We can believe that, whether in the open or underground communities, the God of great love and justice is with us. God’s presence does not diminish with the changes of time. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit have never left but are leading these communities toward greater freedom in truth, grace, and light,” the cardinal said.
“At the same time, they must open themselves to and embrace the Holy Trinity. That is what truly matters,” he added.
Please do not judge or generalise about people in either the open or underground Church
Cardinal Stephen
Prayers of the Faithful were led by Canossian Sister Rita Chung and Vania Cheng of the Holy Spirit Study Centre. Petitions were offered for the health and wisdom of leaders in the universal Church, for the protection of the Holy Spirit over the Church in China, for synodality in the Church in Hong Kong, for world peace, and for the spiritual growth of young people.
The Prayer to Our Lady of Sheshan, written by Pope Benedict XVI, was then recited, invoking God’s blessing on all in China.
At the conclusion of the Mass, Cardinal Stephen recalled his visit in April to the Basilica of Our Lady of Sheshan in Shanghai, made together with diocesan representatives from Hong Kong. He shared how he was moved to finally see the great statue atop the hill and how, standing before it, he offered prayers for the health of the late Pope Francis.
“Pope Francis is now in heaven, praying for us and for our Church in China,” he said. “He always longed to visit China and meet our brothers and sisters there… We now pray that his successor, as the successor of St. Peter, may one day set foot on Chinese soil as pope,” he concluded.
