HONG KONG (SE): The Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong celebrated a joyful occasion on June 13, as Reverend Nicholas Chang Tai-yin, Reverend Joseph Lin Ruo-qi and Reverend Benedict Shum Hin-ho were ordained priests by Cardinal Stephen Chow, S.J., bishop of Hong Kong, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Caine Road.
Approximately 1,000 people braved the Amber Rainstorm Warning signal to attend the ceremony. Concelebrating the liturgy were bishops emeriti, John Cardinal Tong Hon and Joseph Cardinal Zen Ze-kiun, alongside Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing and around 100 priests. Nearly 20 permanent deacons were also in attendance to support their brothers in Christ.
The ordination rite began when Bishop Ha, the rector of the Holy Spirit Seminary, presented the three candidates to Cardinal Stephen, testifying to their readiness for the presbyterate.
Cardinal Stephen addressed the candidates and the congregation, detailing the profound responsibilities of a priest to teach God’s word, build up the Church, remain united with the bishop, and guide the faithful. He urged them to emulate Christ by serving the community with genuine joy and love.
Fatherly reminders from the cardinal
The cardinal also offered practical advice to the ordinands, warning them against the temptations of status after the ordination. “Please remember that this is not the beginning of clericalism. This thing must not start at any time in your life, and if it really has started, stop it as soon as possible,” he stressed.
He encouraged them to preach with authenticity, grounding their words in their personal witness of faith. “Make the holy Word you preach become the spiritual food for God’s people. You must also become examples in your lives. It doesn’t mean being completely flawless. It is about how, amidst mistakes and flaws, you can still express a part of the Lord’s merciful and great love, showing it right through your flaws.”
Recognising the heavy demands of modern ministry, Cardinal Stephen also reminded the newly-ordained to care for their own well-being. “God will use other people to help you. You must have a humble heart to seek help. Do not keep it all bottled up inside. Do not pretend to be strong,” he advised. “When you need to rest, you must rest. So that you can better serve others.”
The candidates then declared their intent to faithfully co-operate with the bishop, preach the gospel, devoutly celebrate the sacraments, and maintain a life of unceasing prayer. Each candidate then knelt individually before the cardinal, placing their hands in his, promising respect and obedience to him and his successors.
As the entire assembly knelt in prayer, the three candidates prostrated themselves completely on the ground, signifying humility, dying to the self, and total surrender to God. The cathedral choir and congregation chanted the Litany of the Saints, invoking their intercession upon the men.
Cardinal Stephen then placed his hands upon the head of each candidate, invoking the grace of the Holy Spirit. He was followed by Bishop Ha, Cardinal Tong, Cardinal Zen, and all the clergy in attendance. After the cardnal recited the Prayer of Ordination, the newly ordained were then vested with the stole and chasuble with the help of their family and mentors. The cardinal then anointed their hands, reminding them of the support of Jesus Christ.
Family members of the newly-ordained then brought forward the offertory gifts. The bread and wine were handed over by the cardinal to the newly-ordained. All the priests present gave the fraternal kiss to the new priests afterwards.
Communion of prayers and new missions
At the end of the Mass, Cardinal Stephen expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the new priests for responding to God’s call.
The cardinal said bishops in mainland China were also aware of the ordinations that day and had told him the three new priests are in their prayers.
He took the opportunity to encourage more young people to consider priestly and religious vocations, reminding the faithful that the diocese remains in urgent need of clergy.
The cardinal then knelt before the newly ordained priests to receive their first blessings.
Father Lin will now serve as the assistant parish priest of St. Francis of Assisi parish in Sham Shui Po; Father Chang goes to St. Thomas the Apostle parish in Tsing Yi; and Father Shum will minister at St. Margaret Mary’s parish in Happy Valley.
Speaking at the end of the service, the three new priests expressed their deep gratitude. Father Lin thanked the Lord for calling him, placing his ministry under the Sacred Heart and Mary Help of Christians, while thanking his mother for passing on the faith.
Father Chang thanked the congregation for coming despite heavy rain and recounted a lighthearted moment that day when his parish priest, Father Benedict Lam Cho-ming, told him it was time to “get to work.”
Father Shum concluded by thanking the seminary, his childhood parish, his mentors as well as the Guadalupe missionaries in Kenya who accompanied his growth, stating that the best way to thank everyone was to become a good shepherd like Jesus.
