By Father Paul Kam Po-wai
“Heed ye Breeze, Sing ye Hymns”—This is a monthly spiritual gathering for young people organised by the Holy Spirit Seminary more than 20 years ago, with thematic sharing, biblical sharing, individual meetings with spiritual directors and Taizé prayers. Over the past 20 years, there have been various changes. Taizé prayer meetings were first replaced by the singing of the evening service, which later became the regular meetings of the Diocesan Vocation Commission for the formation of vocations due to the decline in the number of young people attending. In fact, due to the low number of young people discerning their vocations and the Covid-19 pandemic, only a few young people attended each meeting.
In October, the Diocesan Vocation Commission resumed this long-established youth spiritual gathering in a new place and with new arrangements. The spiritual gathering this year will be transferred from the Holy Spirit Seminary in Aberdeen to St. Jude’s Mass Centre on Kam Sheung Road, on every fourth Saturday of the month from 10.00am to 10.00pm.
There are four sections: bible sharing in the morning, spirituality workshops in the afternoon, talks in the evening and Taizé ecumenical meeting prayers at night. We hope that young people can slow down in their busy lives and encounter the Lord through the Word, sharing, prayers, and have a chance to interact with each other, talk to priests and sisters individually, and receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation if necessary.
Young men and women from 18- to 35-years-old who are interested in deepening their spiritual life, finding a direction for their lives or exploring their vocation are welcome to attend. Young people below 18 years of age can be accompanied by a pastoral worker, catechist, teacher or school chaplain. Participants can join the whole-day event or choose to participate in different sessions, and the Taizé prayer meeting at night is open to all.
At the last meeting in October, a total of seven young men and four young women signed up, along with priests, sisters, friends and volunteers, and the more than 10 of us enjoyed a weekend gathering in which we shared the bible, dined out and roamed around Kam Sheung Road. We participated in spiritual workshops, painted, prayed, reflected and listened to the experiences of a lay missionary who works in South Sudan. At night, we were very grateful to see people from different parishes coming to join our Taizé ecumenical prayer meeting.
We would like to create a space where young people can come together once a month to experience a “downshifting in life” on Saturdays in which they can meet with God, with other young people, and share their lives and share their faith. All are also welcome to join the Taizé ecumenical prayer meeting at night to pray for vocations at this specific time of the month.
Our Heavenly Father, please increase the faith of our community, especially of those whom you have called and will be called to serve you. May the love of your Son inspire more young people to respond generously to your call and to hold fast to it. May the virtue of the Holy Spirit lead us to do the will of the Lord and to offer ourselves gladly in unity with the great sacrifice of Thy Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
