HONG KONG (SE): “May the face of Jesus always smile upon Hong Kong.” With these words, Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle offered a deeply reflective and pastoral message during the prayer and music service kicking off the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Diocese of Hong Kong at Chater Garden on January 18.
Speaking to a large and attentive crowd, Cardinal Tagle invited the city to rediscover the meaning of true blessing as the loving gaze of God that brings protection, peace and hope to all.
The pro-prefect of the Section for First Evangelisation and New Particular Churches of the Dicastery for Evangelisation, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to gather in prayer for Hong Kong. He said the occasion was itself a sign that the Church exists not for its own sake, but for the service of all people.
Drawing from scripture, the cardinal reflected on the true nature of blessing, cautioning against reducing it to personal gain or success at the expense of others. Referring to the Book of Numbers, he recalled God instructing the sons of Aaron how to impart blessings on his people: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace” [Numbers 6:24–26].
‘“The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace’. That is the blessing God wants to give us,” he emphasised.
Turning to the image of God’s face, Cardinal Tagle described Jesus Christ as the visible, human face of the invisible God. Yet, he said, blessing is not complete by sight alone, it also requires listening. “Seeing Jesus’ face and hearing the Father’s voice will change our lives,” he said, recalling how Peter, James and John were transformed by their encounter with Christ.
He went on to highlight five aspects of the face of Jesus as a blessing: the face of a child, the face of humility, the face of compassion and mercy, the face of solidarity with those on the margins, and the face of the crucified and risen Lord.
Acknowledging that the face of the risen Christ is not always easy to recognise, Cardinal Tagle encouraged the faithful to seek Jesus in ordinary life—in work, laughter, suffering and quiet moments. “Open your eyes,” he urged. “The face of the risen one is just there.” He reassured the gathering that Christ remains faithful to his promise to be with his people until the end of time, accompanying them through both struggles and joys.
“The real blessing for Hong Kong,” the cardinal said, “is the face of God shining upon it.” He said with a prayerful hope: “May the face of Jesus always smile upon Hong Kong, and may Hong Kong rejoice in the face of Jesus.”
As he brought his homily to a close, Cardinal Tagle issued a gentle but challenging invitation. “When you see the face of Jesus, look at him. Show your face,” he said. “May the light of the face of Jesus shine through your face, and let that be the light of blessing for the whole of Hong Kong.”
Cardinal Tagle arrived in Hong Kong earlier that day, after presiding at the installation of Bishop Samuel Agcaracar, as bishop of San Jose in Nueva Ecija, at the Divine Word Seminary in Tagaytay City on January 17. The newly installed bishop was one of his former students.
He was met at Hong Kong International Airport by Cardinal Stephen, Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing, Sister Corazon Demetillo, and Sister Victoria Victorino of the Diocesan Pastoral Centre for Filipinos.
Sister Demetillo later recalled that she briefly discussed migrant issues with Cardinal Tagle, noting the support provided by local parishes for migrant integration and the diocese’s expanding services for asylum seekers and refugees, in collaboration with the Philippine Consulate. The cardinal responded positively to these initiatives.
The prayer and music service drew strong participation from the Filipino Catholic community in Hong Kong, including Divine Word Father Jay Flandez, Filipino chaplain, and Romulo Victor Israel, Philippine consul general. Parishioners from St Joseph’s Church, Garden Road, held a banner welcoming Cardinal Tagle.
The cardinal departed Hong Kong for Manila later that evening to attend a meeting the following morning.
