HONG KONG (SE): The dedicated life of St. Magdalene of Canossa was remembered during a Mass celebrated by vicar general, Father Paul Kam Po-wai, at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception on May 8, to mark the 250th birth anniversary of the saint as well as the 65th Anniversary of Canossa College, Quarry Bay, to express thankfulness to the guidance of the saint and the founder.
The Canossian sisters were supposed to mark the birth anniversary of their founder on May 4 with a Mass celebrated by Cardinal Stephen Chow S.J. at the cathedral, but it was cancelled due to the red rainstorm warning issued that day.
The Mass on May 8 was attended by Sister Virginia Wong, provincial superior of Hong Kong and Macau of the Daughters of Charity of the Canossian Institute, along with around 10 other Canossian sisters, approximately 650 students and teachers of the college as well as representatives from other Canossian schools.
The Mass started with a message by principal, Anny Wong Shui-kuk, who honoured the life of the saint and founder who dedicated her life to the poor, and encouraged those present to serve others with love and humility with the same spirit.
At the beginning of the Mass, Father Kam wished the students and sisters present a happy feast day, and said that it was a blessing to celebrate the birth anniversary of the founder as well as the 65th anniversary of the college.
In his homily, Father Kam mentioned to the students the life of the founder who brought light to many people in darkness, whose spirit is followed by the Canossian sisters.
He reminded those present of the trials in the childhood of the St. Magdalene of Canossa. Her father died early and she was later abandoned by her mother, but she felt blessed with the strength from Jesus Christ and the comfort of Mary. He said her life may be a good example for those present when facing sadness, reminding them to pray and rely on God.
He hopes those present would bring light to people in darkness like their founder, who could feel her heart kindled before the hungry and the poor.
During the offering, students and alumni representatives presented around one thousand paper hearts prepared by students symbolising their determination to follow the example of their founder.
To mark the birth anniversary of the saint, the Canossians invited vicar general, Father Joseph Chan Wing-chiu, to bless a number of prayer candles in March last year, which were distributed to all the Canossian convents and all the lay Canossian groups for them to light up, representing the determination of the sisters and members of the lay groups to live out the spirit of charity and humility of the founder in their lives.
