HONG KONG (SE): A delegation of faithful from Hong Kong will travel to Rome for the September 30 consistory in which Pope Francis will create 21 new cardinals, including Cardinal-elect Stephen Chow Sau Yan, SJ, Bishop of Hong Kong. The 40-member delegation will join a nine-day pilgrimage from September 27 to October 5, led by vicar general Father Joseph Chan Wing-chiu.
In addition to attending the celebrations, participants will also visit the hometown of Venerable Father Matteo Ricci in Macerata, the Sanctuary of the Holy House of Mary at Loreto, and Orvieto Cathedral.
They will also have the opportunity to visit the Shrine of the Sacred Cave of St. Benedict, the Cathedral Basilica of St. Scholastica in Subiaco, the Basilica of St. John in Laterano and the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls.
The tour is organised by the diocese and Love Pilgrimage, a group that was set up in 2019. Evelyn Chan So-ping of the group has arranged pilgrimage tours since 1997. She organised a similar delegation for John Cardinal Tong Hon’s elevation to the College of Cardinals in 2012, as well as pilgrimages for the physically disadvantaged and the hearing-impaired.
Chan, who designed the pilgrimage routes this time for approval by the diocese, said these tours are challenging since there might be unexpected changes to the itinerary.
In addition to attending the celebrations, participants will also visit the hometown of Venerable Father Matteo Ricci in Macerata, the Sanctuary of the Holy House of Mary at Loreto, and Orvieto Cathedral.
“This year’s tour gives participants a glimpse into the lives of saints like St. John and St. Benedict, as well as Venerable Father Ricci himself. Hopefully, they will gain deeper insight into their faith from learning about the saints,” she said.
The 40-person quota was almost filled a week after the tour was announced.
On July 9, Pope Francis announced that he would hold a consistory to create 21 new cardinals, 18 of whom will be electors with the right to vote in the next papal conclave. This is the ninth consistory called by the pope in the 10 years of his papacy. The last consistory was held in August 2022, when 20 cardinals were given the red hat.
Additionally, Pope Francis will visit Mongolia between August 31 and September 4, themed, Hoping Together. The Church in Mongolia has invited bishops from neighbouring countries and regions to attend and Cardinal-elect Chow has also been invited to lead a delegation to express the brotherhood of the Churches of different regions in their common endeavour for synodality.
Consequently, the Holy Spirit Study Centre and Love Pilgrimage planned a seven-day tour of Mongolia during the pastoral visit of Pope Francis. The 30-member quota was filled up on the day it was announced.
During the Mongolia tour, Cardinal-elect Chow and Father Patrick Taveirne, of the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, will introduce participants to the various groups and missionaries working with the Church in Mongolia. They will also join some of the pastoral activities of Pope Francis to show unity and communion with Mongolia’s Catholics.
