HONG KONG (SE): The Sisters of the Pious Disciples of Divine Master [PDDM] celebrated their 100th anniversary on January 15 with a Mass celebrated by Cardinal Stephen Chow, S.J. and concelebrated by eight priests, including parish priest Father Giorgio Pasini, PIME, and others who have been supporting the congregation.
In attendance were Sister Mary Magdalene Magallanes, the provincial superior of the Philippines, Taiwan and Hong Kong region, along with the four PDDM sisters who are in Hong Kong: Sister Regina Lito, local superior, Sister Luz Cabahug, Sister Cecille Duque, and Sister Victoria Victorino.
In his homily, Cardinal Stephen said that one of the main challenges for the PDDM Sisters, as they serve the Lord like Martha and Mary in the gospel, is how to unify the contemplative life and the apostolic life, prayer and work, which involves creativity. The cardinal said creativity is important for every ministry, and the inculturation of liturgical art forms in Hong Kong, an international city, is an example.
In contrast to the pragmatic world, expressing the beauty of the Lord through creativity is a challenge, and the cardinal expressed appreciation for the work of Italian PDDM Sister Michelangela Ballan, an aritist who was part of the team that designed the recently dedicated Church of St. Joseph in Fanling.
The cardinal also mentioned the challenge of digital evangelisation, which was one of the priorities mentioned in the Synod of Bishops in October 2023.
At the end of the celebration, Sister Victorino, on behalf of Sister Magallanes, thanked all those present for their support, especially Cardinal Stephen, for presiding at the Mass. She asked everyone for continuous prayers.
The congregation, founded in Alba, Italy, was to have celebrated its foundation day on February 10, but it was moved forward in Hong Kong as it falls on the first day of Chinese New Year.
The mission of the PDDM Sisters is to live out the paschal mystery of Christ found in the Eucharist, in the priesthood and in the liturgy. The congregation arrived in Hong Kong in 2000.
