HONG KONG (SE): The Jubilee of Youth, held from July 29 to August 3, brought together more than a million young Catholics from around the world for a week of prayer, fellowship, and faith-filled encounters. The celebration culminated with a prayer vigil and Mass at Tor Vergata, presided over by Pope Leo XIV.
Among the pilgrims were about 140 young people from the dioceses of Hong Kong and Macau. Fifty of them were from the Diocesan Youth Commission. For many, the experience was a journey of spiritual renewal, unity, and personal growth.
Cardinal Stephen Chow, S.J., who arrived in Rome on July 31, joined the Hong Kong delegation in passing through the Holy Door of the Basilica of Saint John Lateran. He reminded them that the symbolic act expressed a readiness to deepen their relationship with God.
Speaking with Boiling Point, the online platform of the Diocesan Youth Commission, Cardinal Stephen offered practical and spiritual advice ahead of the overnight prayer vigil on August 2. Noting that the uneven ground of Tor Vergata would be difficult to sleep on, he encouraged the young pilgrims to embrace the challenge as a way of finding meaning in hardship through companionship with Jesus Christ.
“Strength can be drawn from faith and the fellowship of brothers and sisters,” he said, urging gratitude for all experiences along the journey, as they contribute to personal maturity and deeper faith.
Faith amid trials
Ambrose Yang, one of the Diocesan Youth Commission delegates, expressed gratitude to God for the smooth completion of the pilgrimage despite logistical challenges. Issues with transportation and uncertainty over accommodations tested the group’s patience, but Ambrose saw them as moments to place complete trust in God.
“Hope is a grace from God that strengthens our faith to overcome difficulties,” he reflected.
Kyle, a parishioner at St. Jerome’s Church in Tin Shui Wai, was quick to register for the Jubilee after seeing a poster for the event. The university graduate felt a strong sense of God’s calling and described the prayer vigil with Pope Leo as a turning point in his life. Seeing more than a million young Catholics gathered in prayer gave him great hope for the Church’s future, countering the perception that young people are disengaged from faith.
Despite the physical challenges of travel and sleeping arrangements—especially as a first-time pilgrim—Kyle said that openness and flexibility were key. He now hopes to inspire friends in Hong Kong to attend the next World Youth Day in Seoul in 2027.
Among the pilgrims were about 140 young people from the dioceses of Hong Kong and Macau. Fifty of them were from the Diocesan Youth Commission. For many, the experience was a journey of spiritual renewal, unity, and personal growth
A spirit of joy and belonging
Phoebe, a university student from St. Anthony’s Church in Pok Fu Lam, was encouraged by her family to join the pilgrimage. The overwhelming number of participants and the joyful atmosphere left a deep impression on her. She recalled moments of collective singing and dancing that reminded her of vibrant Catholic gatherings in Europe.
“The pilgrimage allowed me to explore my emotions, grow in prayer, and meet other young people facing similar struggles,” she said.
For Dorothy, from St. Francis of Assisi Church in Shek Kip Mei, the Jubilee was both a spiritual celebration and a chance to practise her Italian. She recalled the welcome Mass in St. Peter’s Square as a moment of awe, surrounded by pilgrims from around the globe. When she felt faint from the summer heat, the kindness of fellow attendees strengthened her sense of belonging in the Church.
The visit to the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls moved her to tears, as the portraits of the popes reflected the Church’s unbroken continuity through the centuries.
Friendship, support, and lasting impact
Annette, a teacher from St. Joseph’s Church, Garden Road, was inspired to join the Jubilee after a transformative encounter at World Youth Day in Krakow. Despite health challenges, she said the pilgrimage became an affirmation of trust in God’s providence. Meeting Pope Leo and experiencing a quiet moment of Eucharistic adoration were among her most treasured memories.
Despite the physical challenges of travel and sleeping arrangements—especially as a first-time pilgrim—Kyle said that openness and flexibility were key. He now hopes to inspire friends in Hong Kong to attend the next World Youth Day in Seoul in 2027
“The support of my groupmates during the exhausting days deepened our bonds of friendship and reminded me of the beauty of community,” she said.
Annette also expressed gratitude to Father Tito Martin, chairperson of the Diocesan Youth Commission, and the youth workers who accompanied and guided the Hong Kong pilgrims throughout the journey. She hopes to help create similar faith experiences for others in the future.
An encounter that strengthens the Church
From logistical challenges to moments of joy, the Hong Kong pilgrims saw the Jubilee as a living expression of the Church’s unity and vitality. For them, the gathering was not just a large-scale Catholic event but a deeply personal encounter with God, the universal Church, and each other.
The Jubilee of Youth in Rome served as a reminder that, despite geographical and cultural differences, young Catholics share the same faith, struggles, and hopes. In the words of Cardinal Stephen, even the difficult parts of the journey become part of God’s way of moulding hearts.
As the pilgrims returned home, many carried with them a renewed determination to live out their faith more fully and to share their experiences with peers in Hong Kong. Whether through prayer, service, or simple witness, their stories are likely to inspire other young people to step forward, trust in God’s call, and join the global journey of the Church.
