HONG KONG (SE): A Mass in memory of the victims in the Tiananmen Square Massacre in Beijing, on 4 June 1989, was concelebrated by Joseph Cardinal Zen Ze-kiun and Father Sergio Arturo Chavira Alvarez at Holy Cross Church, Sai Wan Ho, on May 29.
Organised by the Union of Hong Kong Catholic Organisations in support of the Patriotic and Democratic Movements in China, the theme for the Mass was “Be strong and steadfast; for it is the Lord, your God, who goes with you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).
The congregation prayed for the victims of the tragedy, as well as their family members and for the causes of the overseas dissidents, the young people, the Church in China, democracy and Hong Kong society.
Cardinal Zen said in his homily that it was important to mourn and pray for the victims of the massacre 31 years ago, as well as for the suffering people and those imprisoned every year. He encouraged people to trust in the power of prayer even though Hong Kong is facing challenges to its rights.
He urged people to maintain their dignity and carry out the mission God has for them. At the end of the Mass, the congregation lighted up candles and prayed together.
The number of participants at the Mass was kept to 250, half of the capacity of the church, following the Diocesan Pastoral Guidelines on the Resumption of Public Masses issued on May 22. The Mass was livestreamed on Facebook to allow more people to join.
While people in Hong Kong can’t commemorate the June 4 incident in Victoria Park as usual this year due to Covid-19 coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) crowd restrictions, Masses in memory of the victims were celebrated on June 4 in different parishes, including the Holy Cross Church, Sai Wan Ho; St. Bonaventure Church, Tsz Wan Shan; St. Francis of Assisi Church, Shek Kip Mei; St. Andrew’s Church, Hang Hau; Holy Redeemer Church, Tuen Mun and St. Benedict Church, Shatin.
Some of Masses were held at 8.09pm to remind people of the year 1989 when the incident took place.
The union encouraged people who could not join Mass that day to light a candle at the Marian grotto of their parish. They were also urged to take a picture of the candle and send it to the Facebook account of the Diocesan Justice and Peace Commission to show their solidarity with people fighting for democracy.
