HONG KONG (SE): During the Chrism Mass on April 6, Holy Thursday, Bishop Stephen Chow Sau-yan, SJ., expressed his joy in celebrating the brotherhood among priests and invited them to become partners in mission and companions for a synodal Church. It was the first public Chrism Mass celebrated by Bishop Chow since no public gatherings were allowed last year due to the pandemic.
The annual Chrism Mass signifies the close unity of all priests and deacons with their bishop in sharing the one priesthood of Christ with him. It also signifies the close communion between the bishop and his flock.
“My dear priests, after the pandemic, we are finally able to join together at this annual Chrism Mass to pray for God’s blessing on the holy oils, to renew our vows before the people of God and to celebrate our brotherhood. We are grateful for God’s blessings that have been with us through all our difficulties. Thank you for sharing the same yoke and supporting one another. Especially since I became a bishop, I have clearly felt the tolerance, understanding and support from all of you!” Bishop Chow said at the beginning of his homily and invited the congregation for a round of applause for the clergy present.
Over 170 priests from the diocese, the religious and missionary communities, assisted by around 20 deacons, concelebrated the Mass with Bishop Emeritus John Cardinal Tong Hon and Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing.
My dear priests, after the pandemic, we are finally able to join together at this annual Chrism Mass to pray for God’s blessing on the holy oils, to renew our vows before the people of God and to celebrate our brotherhood
Bishop Chow
Bishop Chow called for concerted efforts toward a common mission in his homily, delivered in Chinese and English. “We are indeed partners in mission and companions for a synodal Church. Partners in a corporate mission… Missions undertaken by us should come from the mission of the diocese, which shares the universal mission of the Church,” he said.
In order to build up a synodal Church, listening with respect and having spiritual conversations are essential. “As companions for a synodal Church, we should learn to listen to each other with respect, empathy, and without judgment. This is required for spiritual conversation, of which impressive benefits many of us have experienced in our personal and working relationships. On top of that, companionship also means our generosity in supporting each other and sharing our best practices and resources.”
He encouraged priests to take part in monthly formation gatherings and annual spiritual, social and formation gatherings to strengthen their companionship and corporate identity.
He said formation is imperative for clergy and laity in the Church. “Our common mission is to help our diocese become a synodal Church. First of all, the clergy must receive formation, and this will be essential. The formation of our young people and the laity will follow. Small communities of faith and liturgical formation will follow as the need arises,” he said.
“Although we are already priests of God, we have yet to develop into a clergy with a closer relationship, a better understanding of one another and a greater sense of a common mission so that we can wash each other’s feet and serve one another as a Church in communion and in synodality,” he concluded, inviting lay people to pray for the clergy and express their views with openness.
Priests then renewed before the bishop their commitments to be dedicated to Jesus Christ selflessly and fulfil their sacred duties towards Christ’s Church. Deacons present on the occasion also renewed their promises to serve with pure conscience, humility and love for the needy.
Bishop Chow requested those present to pray for him, the bishops emeritus and auxiliary bishop, priests and deacons so that they can be faithful to the duties entrusted to them.
Priests and deacons exchanged the sign of peace with Bishop Chow, Bishop Ha, and Cardinal Tong at the altar.
Together with the concelebrants, Bishop Chow blessed oils for the sick and catechumens, followed by the consecration of the Chrism.
The oils blessed at the Mass were distributed to different parishes for the sacraments of the anointing of the sick, baptism and confirmation.
