HONG KONG (SE): Over a thousand people particpated in a thanksgiving Mass at the Catedral of the Immaculate Conception, Caine Road, on July 18. The liturgy was the concluding event of the exposition of relics in Hong Kong organised by the Treasure of the Church, an international ministry which came to Asia for the first time, the Diocesan Pastoral Commission for Marriage and the Family, and the Catholic Education Office.
Under the theme, “Cloud of Witnesses-Walk with the Saints”, the 10-day exposition attracted over 8,000 people, which was a double of what the organisers expected.
The Mass was celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing, and concelebrated by Father Martins Carlos, director of Treasures of the Church; cathedral parish priest, Father Dominic Chan Chi-ming; Father John Baptist Tsang Hing-man and Father Francis Tse Kin-shing.
Bishop Ha expressed his joy at the success of the event, despite the shortage of preparation time. He expressed his surprise that so many people were attending a weekday Mass and invited those present give a round of applause for their participation in the event.
The bishop noted that the saints, in their journey of sanctification, first relied on their own efforts. But at the end, they all had to open up their hearts and invite God in to make up for their human weaknesses.
“To be a saint is not only to be a good person who does kind things, but to be a person who belongs to God, so that only through God, or surrendering himself to God, can help one to become a saint,” He said, emphasising the importance of humility in seeking God, and that the saints are only meant to ignite our hearts to draw close to God like children to a father.
Bishop Ha also expressed his joy at seeing so many people joining the sacrament of reconciliation and rebuilt their relationship with God, emphasising that the presence of the relics in Hong Kong is not a show, but an invitation or warning for participants to repent.
Father Martins reminded those present that Jesus told his disciples that they would do greater works [John 14:12] and that we are of the body of Christ—the limbs through which he reaches out. “So I am here with the saints to testify to the truth of what Jesus said, that his ministry of healing, his ministry of touching souls, of setting people free from affliction continues in the work of the saints, in the touch of saints,” he said.
Father Martins said there have been numerous people through the years who have received the healing, and many people who reported having been set free from their afflictions having experienced the touch of God through the saints.
He encouraged people to continue to ask for the intercession of the saints. “We are part of a great family of saints who are in heaven, who care for us, who care for you, and they are very happy to do good things for you,” he said.
So I am here with the saints to testify to the truth of what Jesus said, that his ministry of healing, his ministry of touching souls, of setting people free from affliction continues in the work of the saints, in the touch of saints
Father Martins
A closing rite of the exposition was led by Bishop Ha at 9:30pm at the cathedral.
Peter Ho, assistant executive secretary of the marriage and family commission, said its first initiative was to bring the relics of St. Maria Goretti to Hong Kong several years ago after watching an online programme about a procession of her relics in the United States. The commission was touched by the saint forgiving her murderer, Alessandro Serenelli, of her upholding chastity and of the beautiful story of Serenelli’s repentance.
The commission sought the support of Bishop Ha who contacted Father Martins, who had helped organised of the US procession, at the end of March to see if he could bring the relics of St. Maria Goretti and the relics of other saints to Hong Kong. The Catholic Education Office was then invited to help promote the exposition to students.
Over 200 young people registered for two youth sessions. Youth groups and students also served as volunteers for the event. Ho said he hopes that, after learning from the saints who faced trials at a young age but managed to live out the message of the gospel, young people who previously could not see their future will feel motivated.
Ho said many people reported that they received spiritual or physical healing through the relics. Because of the good response, he said the commission planned to organise follow up activities to promote the strengthening of faith through relics, such as a treasure hunt, asking people to look for the relics in different parishes in Hong Kong.
We are part of a great family of saints who are in heaven, who care for us, who care for you, and they are very happy to do good things for you
Father Martins
Ho said what the faithful need to be aware two extreme thoughts about relics that are erroneous. One is that venerating them is medieval, superstitious and unnecessary for the modern world. He pointed out that every altar contains relics, and that these have been kept by the Church to remind people of the strong faith of the martyrs. The other extreme is to only venerate the relics themselves instead of understanding that they point to God.
Father Paul Tam Wing-ming who joined the exposition on July 12 for the clergy and religious sisters, said the exposition reminded him of the good examples of saints like Maria Goretti leading people to take a path for sanctification.
Deacon Thomas Anthony Wong Sze-pok who joined the exposition on the same day said he felt really close to the saints who had been his role models and friends. He believes the chance to see the relics was a great blessing for the faithful in Hong Kong.
Adelaide Ticsay of St. Peter’s Church who came to the Mass with her husband after the exposition at Caritas Commmunity Hall, said she was in tears as she had a chance to touch the relics of so many saints. She signed up for the exposition on July 17 but it was cancelled because of a typhoon. She was happy that the session was rescheduled for the next day.
Erica Li, a choir member of St. Francis Church, Ma On Shan, lined up for confession with other participants 45 minutes before the Mass for the healing of her heart. She felt peace while venerating the relics of many saints, including those of the patron saint of the choir, St. Cecilia.
She previously had the impression that venerating relics for healing was superstitious but the talk of Father Martins who explained that the relics are only an instrument of God’s grace, touched her deeply.
