HONG KONG (SE): During a Mass for migrants held on October 7 in honour of the Jubilee Year and the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, Cardinal Stephen Chow S.J., the bishop of Hong Kong, encouraged attendees to maintain hope and faith amid their challenges in a foreign land, urging them to look to the Blessed Virgin Mary as an example of resilience and strength during difficult times.
The Mass, themed “Migrants, Missionaries of Hope,” was organised by the Diocesan Commission for Pastoral Services to Migrant Workers on October 7 at Christ the King Chapel in Causeway Bay. Before the Mass began, participants prayed the rosary to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary.
A presentation of the Filipino communities to honour the Blessed Virgin Mary during the Mass.
Concelebrating the Mass were Indonesian chaplain Divine Word Father Natalius Suryanto and Filipino chaplain Divine Word Father Jay Flandez, together with Immaculate Heart of Mary Father Louland Escabusa, Oblate Father Jun Jacobe, Divine Word Father John Baptist Le Van Ba, and Divine Word Father Blaise Cooray, who serve the Sri Lankan community, among others.Cardinal Stephen welcomed the migrants from different countries showing Hong Kong’s rich cultural diversity. The Mass was joined by around eight hundred people from the Philippine, Indonesian, German, Vietnamese, Sri Lankan and Indian communities as well as the pastoral sisters serving them.
In his homily, the cardinal reflected on the challenges faced by migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers, acknowledging the hardships, discrimination, uncertain policies, and separations that often make hope feel elusive. “Let’s look at the sign of God’s unwavering love in your lives as you wait for a sign of hope while experiencing your own struggles in Hong Kong,” he said.
You can acknowledge their presence… But let them float away like clouds in the sky or fallen leaves in the river. Let the grace of God to rush in and fill your inner being
Cardinal Stephen
Cardinal Stephen referenced the story of Mary and the Archangel Gabriel, pointing out that Mary’s response serves as a model for everyone as she emptied herself of fear and self-centredness to fully embrace God’s will, echoing Christ’s self-giving love on the Cross.
He told the migrants it is natural to be distracted by frustrations as we pray about our worries. “You can acknowledge their presence… But let them float away like clouds in the sky or fallen leaves in the river,” he said. “Let the grace of God to rush in and fill your inner being,” he continued.
However, the cardinal clarified that hope does not involve manipulating God or expecting specific outcomes. “We are trying our best to work with God, so God will help us to face our issues. However, this hopefulness does not and should not mean that intentions of the prayers would be fulfilled,” he said.
Despite that, he urged migrants and those facing difficulties to draw inspiration from Mary’s trust, self-offering, and perseverance, becoming missionaries of hope rooted in God’s love and grace.
After communion, the theme song of the migrant communities for the Jubilee Year “With Hearts Inflamed” was sung. The lyrics of the song, capturing the struggles, mission and faith of migrants, was written by Filipino groups and the music was composed by Jesuit Father Manoling Francisco.
We are trying our best to work with God, so God will help us to face our issues
Cardinal Stephen
In the prayers of the faithful, encompassed petitions for migrants all over the world, the displaced, the sick, migrant’s families and the mission of spreading hope.
After the Mass, Father Jacobe expressed gratitude to the cardinal for his support for migrants. Good Shepherd Sister Corazon Demetillo then introduced the German, Indonesian, Filipino and African communities who performed after the Mass.
Veronika Fehse, coordinator of the ecumenical choir of the German-speaking community, said the Jubilee Year celebration was filled with hope and unity. “It was an honour and great pleasure to sing in front of people of different cultures. Spreading hope is the most important thing in our times of trials,” she said.
On October 29, the commission will hold another Jubilee Year celebration specifically for the Filipino communities at the Caritas Kowloon Social Centre at Prince Edward Road.
The day will start with a Mass celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing, and feature a choral concert titled “WitnessSing,” showcasing performances from nearly 20 groups. Hong Kong migrant’s theme song for the Jubilee Year will again be performed during the concert, serving as a unifying piece for all choirs.
