HONG KONG (SE): “I pray that you will truly become acquainted with Jesus Christ to whom you belong so that you can understand yourself better and affirm your self-identity. In turn, you will be able to respond generously to God’s individual invitations or vocations. No matter what kind of life you choose in the future, you will live in a more meaningful, insightful and interesting way so that you will bring more respect and blessings to people,” Bishop Chow Sau-yan, sj, said to over 300 World Youth Day [WYD] participants from Hong Kong, who had gathered for the Commissioning Mass on July 2, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Caine Road.
The Mass was concelebrated by nearly 20 priests, including vicar general, Father Paul Kam Po-wai; Father Tito Lopez Martin, the chairperson of the Diocesan Youth Commission; Father Issac Noh, who would lead the diocesan delegation; and others.
Lisbon, Portugal, will host the 37th WYD in August. Pope Francis has chosen the theme “Mary arose and went with haste” [Luke 1:39], to inspire people to follow Our Lady and respond courageously to God’s call.
The Mass was attended by people from 14 youth groups from by the diocese, parishes, and religious institutes, which will join the WYD pilgrimage, together with religious sisters and volunteers supporting the journey.
The Mass began with a procession comprising representatives from the 14 groups together with the altar boys and celebrants carrying the WYD 2023 logo, the WYD cross, and the icon of Salus Populi Romani—Health [or Salvation] of the Roman People—an icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Child Jesus.
I pray that you will truly become acquainted with Jesus Christ to whom you belong so that you can understand yourself better and affirm your self-identity. In turn, you will be able to respond generously to God’s individual invitations or vocations
Bishop Chow
Bishop Chow expressed his delight at seeing the delegates along with the spiritual advisors who will accompany them on their journey.
In his homily, the bishop said a sense of belonging to a community and self-identity are interrelated and are both important for Christians, and invited those present to learn more about Jesus Christ as well as his expectations of us, and to think about how much they are willing to give up for God.
He further explained that it is only by giving up that people can make room in their hearts to gain new things.
In Taipei the week before, the bishop said he had been honoured to officiate at the ordination of three Jesuit priests and a deacon [Sunday Examiner, July 2].
These individuals—formerly a neurologist, a renowned dancer, or people who had done excellently in their previous careers—gave themselves up in favour of God and accepted God’s mission. Their tears of gratitude touched him during the ordination, and he felt it must have been a beautiful journey for each of them.
Bishop Chow said, “Like you, they were seeking meaning and identity. They are willing to sacrifice things they cherished for the things most valuable. It took them years, tears and perseverance to reach this point.”
In his homily, the bishop said a sense of belonging to a community and self-identity are interrelated and are both important for Christians, and invited those present to learn more about Jesus Christ as well as his expectations of us, and to think about how much they are willing to give up for God
As the delegates will be joining over 400,000 other young people from the universal Church for WYD, the bishop encouraged them to find their self-identity.
During the commissioning ceremony, the bishop urged the delegates, who were dressed in the uniforms representing the Diocese of Hong Kong, to remember the Pope Francis’ invitation to step out of their comfort zones and take courage to discern and respond to God’s call by communicating with young people from around the globe.
In response, the young delegates, led by representatives lined up in front of the WYD cross at the altar, promised to learn from the Virgin Mary, follow God’s plan to bring the Good News of Christ to all people, to accompany each other and to join hands to build up the Kingdom of God.
In March this year, the formation of the 61 diocesan delegates began with an emphasis on introducing them to the theme of WYD, of being ready to respond to God’s call.
PIME Sister Maria Clara De Souza Pires and Precious Blood Sister Selina Leung will support the delegates during their pilgrimage days.
As the delegates will be joining over 400,000 other young people from the universal Church for WYD, the bishop encouraged them to find their self-identity
The Hong Kong delegation will go on pilgrimage to different places before gathering for the WYD programme in Lisbon from August 1 to 6.
Seventeen will travel first to Essen, Germany, before going to Lourdes, France, while 26 will travel to France first. Eighteen delegates chose to walk the Way of St. James [Camino de Santiago], and journey 100 kilometres along the pilgrimage route in northern Spain leading to the city of Santiago de Compostela, which is believed to be the burial place of the Apostle James.
David Yau Cheuk-yin, a diocesan delegate, said he chose to take this route to learn more about the saint as well as the Catholic culture in Spain. He believes the trials along the journey, which will take place from July 21 to 27, will give him a good chance to listen to God’s voice. Afterwards, the delegates will go on retreat in Fatima, Portugal, and then on to Lisbon.
The diocesan delegates will leave on different dates in mid-July and return to Hong Kong on August 8.
At the end of the Mass, participants sang the Cantonese version of the theme song, which the Diocese of Macau released on May 31, the feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The WYD in Lisbon was supposed to be held in 2022, but was postponed to this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic
The Good Hope School also prepared 18 young people for Lisbon. The group will go on a pilgrimage in France and visit the Basilica of St. Therese of Lisieux as well as other pilgrimage sites in France, for seven days before going to Lisbon.
MIC Sister Catherine Wan Ka-lai, who will journey with the group, said the members are eager to deepen their faith through the journey, and the WYD provides stimulation beyond parish life.
Cybil Poon, a parishioner of St. Peter and Paul Church who was baptised four years ago, said she joined the WYD because she heard many touching experiences from the former delegates who found a new meaning for their lives.
Sister Wule Zhi Yuan Maria Hui, pastoral sister of the parish, said the pilgrimage will be a good chance for the 12 delegates from the parish to embrace the universality of the Church instead of living their Catholic life only in the parish. It is also her hope that they will be able to find their own mission in the Church through the journey.
The WYD in Lisbon was supposed to be held in 2022, but was postponed to this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
