
HONG KONG (KKP/SE): The Diocesan Youth Day, held on October 9, gave the 100 participants a glimpse of what early missionary life was like in Sai Kung through the day’s programme under the theme, My Miles, featuring various journeys to the historical chapels in Sai Kung.
Gary Au Ka-wai of the Diocesan Youth Commission, in charge of the event, said the theme is in line with the one chosen by Pope Francis for diocesan-level celebrations of the World Youth Day from 2022 to 2023: “Mary arose and went with haste” [Luke 1:39], and is a message to encourage young people to share the joy of the gospel in their own communities, in the same way that Mary journeyed to the hill country of Judea to share her joy with Elizabeth, and to overcome trials in everyday life.
Hiking has been a favourite hobby for many during the Covid-19 pandemic and the response to the event was good as the quota was filled a month before the event.
Au said he also hoped the event would encourage young people to return to parish life, noting that many, feeling disappointed about what has happened in Hong Kong, have become less active in serving in the Church.
A total of 20 teams from Catholic schools and youth groups have been formed for different churches restored by the Diocesan Working Committee for “Following Thy Way,” including Star of the Sea Mass Centre, Sai Wan; Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows Chapel, Pak Tam Chung; and Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel, Pak Sha O.
Au said he also hoped the event would encourage young people to return to parish life, noting that many, feeling disappointed about what has happened in Hong Kong, have become less active in serving in the Church
Participants started from Sai Kung Sung Tsun Catholic School with a ceremony officiated by Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing, chairperson of Diocesan Youth Commision Father Tito Martin, Father Franco Bellati and Father Louland Escabusa in which they stepped together on a footprint design on the ground, symbolising participant’s first step on the pilgrimages of the day.
Some participants sang hymns on the way, while others shared their faith with other hikers, showing their courage to evangelise.
Volunteers of the Diocesan Working Committee for “Following Thy Way” also joined the pilgrimages and shared the history of the historical chapels.
The event concluded with a Mass celebrated at Sai Kung Sung Tsun Catholic School by Bishop Ha, vicar general, Father Paul Kam Po-wai, and other priests.
The Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life, in his Pastoral Guideline for the Celebration of World Youth Day in Particular Churches recommended pilgrimage as one of the elements for local World Youth Day celebrations as it can offer the possibility of journeying together and experiencing fraternity.
Since 1986, World Youth Days have been worldwide encounters with the pope, Diocesan Youth Day has been organised by the Diocese of Hong Kong since 2007 so that young people in the city can gather and share the pope’s message. The next World Youth Day will be held in August 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal.