HONG KONG (SE): Cardinal Stephen Chow, S.J., bishop of Hong Kong, while celebrating the Chrism Mass on April 2 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Caine Road, highlighted the role of clergy in conveying hope through their ministries amid negativity in the world. Encouraging humility and openness to transformation, he called for parishes that foster prayer, worship, and a welcoming atmosphere.
Bishops emeriti, John Cardinal Tong Hon and Joseph Cardinal Zen Ze-kiun, together with Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing, concelebrated the Mass.
In remembrance of the Last Supper, when Jesus gathered his apostles around him on Holy Thursday, the Chrism Mass highlights the close relationship between the bishop and priests. Two hundred priests and around 30 deacons were present at the Mass.
The liturgy was conducted in Cantonese, Putonghua, and English.
In his Cantonese homily, the cardinal encouraged members of the clergy to demonstrate God’s mercy, even when they find themselves surrounded by a prevailing atmosphere of oppression, division, hatred, violence, and fear. He emphasised the importance of community and mutual support among believers, as shown by Jesus, who returned to his hometown in Galilee after his resurrection, where he could see familiar faces.
He said a parish should allow individuals to engage in prayer, celebrate liturgical worship, and encounter God. He added that no one, especially young people, wants a parish that is like a hot kitchen or a place where they feel marginalised.
Beyond formal rituals, clergy are called to be messengers of hope, sharing the joy of the Gospel in their ministries.
“Being consecrated and commissioned to evangelise, how much do we agree with the message of the gospel? How willing are we to empty ourselves, allowing the Lord’s good news to transform our hearts and minds?” he said.
While this mission can be challenging, he said a sincere commitment to prayer and community support can enable the Holy Spirit to work through them.
What is needed is to place ourselves in the hands of the eternal Lord, to be focused on the eternal, for it is our true home that guides us to live freely, becoming pilgrims and bearers of hope. This is our task and mission,
Cardinal Stephen
In his Putonghua homily, the cardinal said that in the face of material, spiritual and relational poverty, Jesus’s love and hope will fill our hearts and change our lives. He reminded those present not to be troubled by wins or losses and remember the words of God, which can release our hearts from burdens.
“What is needed is to place ourselves in the hands of the eternal Lord, to be focused on the eternal, for it is our true home that guides us to live freely, becoming pilgrims and bearers of hope. This is our task and mission,” he said.
In his English homily, Cardinal Stephen addressed the importance of following Jesus Christ as true partners in mission, emphasising that the call to vocation is not for personal glory but for the greater good.
He acknowledged the temptations that priests face, urging them to remain grounded in their identity as “beloved disciples”, “wounded healers” and “synodal pilgrims”. At the same time, the cardinal encouraged collaboration and a communal spirit among priests.
“Fulfilling this mission is not impossible with a willingness to journey as partners and collaborate under the same Spirit, who unites and makes us whole,” he said, highlighting the need to follow the same spirit, humility and discernment to truly hear the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
Fulfilling this mission is not impossible with a willingness to journey as partners and collaborate under the same Spirit, who unites and makes us whole
Cardinal Stephen
The cardinal also encouraged prayers for priests in crisis together with Pope Leo XIV by reciting the prayer released by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, inviting prayers for priests facing loneliness, doubt, and exhaustion. He urged the community to care for and uplift priests with unconditional love and asked for the rekindling of joy and the strengthening of supportive networks among them.
After delivering his homily, the cardinal asked the faithful to pray for him, Bishop Ha, and the two cardinals.
The priests then renewed their priestly vows before the bishop and God’s people, affirming their commitment to serve out of love as faithful stewards of the mysteries of God in the Eucharist and other liturgical rites.
The deacons also renewed their promises to serve with a pure conscience and a love for those in need.
Cardinal Stephen further called on the congregation to pray for the clergy, the deacons, and the faithful to live out their faith; for the unity of the Church; for the sick; and for the deceased.
Following the renewal of promises, Cardinal Stephen and Bishop Joseph Ha exchanged the sign of peace with Cardinal Tong, Cardinal Zen, and all the priests and deacons who approached the altar for the blessing of the holy oils and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
Together with the concelebrants, the cardinal then blessed the holy oils—the Oil of the Sick, the Oil of Catechumens, and the Sacred Chrism. These oils were subsequently distributed to parishes for use in the sacraments of the Anointing of the Sick, Baptism, and Confirmation.
The Mass was attended by 1,100 people.
