HONG KONG (SE): More than 250 young Christians from mainland China, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, and Vietnam gathered in Hong Kong from May 2 to 5 for the Taizé East Asian Youth Gathering, a regional pilgrimage of prayer, reflection, and fraternity in the spirit of the Taizé Community.
The event, which last took place in Hong Kong in 2018, was organised in collaboration with the Taizé Community, the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui [Anglican], and the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong. It highlighted the Christian message of hope and solidarity in the context of global confrontations and challenges.
In addition to participants from East Asia, this year’s event also welcomed over 100 local attendees from Hong Kong, along with a few from Australia and the United States.
The gathering commenced on the evening of May 2 with a prayer service at St. Ignatius Chapel in Yau Ma Tei. In his address, Brother Han Yol of the Taizé Community underscored the significance of uniting in faith across cultural and national differences.
He expressed hope that the international gathering would help participants draw closer to God and support one another in prayer and reflection on the resurrection of Jesus—especially amid the growing pressures of modern life, such as competition, isolation, and individualism.
This gathering is itself a sign of hope. It brings people together from different places to encourage one another and to witness to the hope found in Christ
Brother Han Yol
Speaking to the Sunday Examiner, Brother Han Yol noted that the spirit of the event aligns closely with the Catholic Church’s theme for the upcoming Jubilee Year: Pilgrims of Hope. “This gathering is itself a sign of hope,” he said. “It brings people together from different places to encourage one another and to witness to the hope found in Christ.”
He added, “Christian hope is not primarily based on political or economic analysis, but is rooted in faith and commitment to those on the periphery—those who are forgotten, poor, or marginalised.”
Archbishop Andrew Chan Au-ming of the Anglican Church expressed joy at seeing young people from different nations coming together to share the love of Christ and to pray in unity. Marking both the 120th anniversary of the birth and the 20th anniversary of the death of Brother Roger, the founder of the Taizé Community, he expressed his gratitude for the ecumenical legacy left by the community.
Citing this year’s letter from Brother Matthew, the current prior of Taizé, entitled, Hope Beyond All Hope, Archbishop Chan encouraged participants to trust in God and the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which enables the nurturing of hope in the face of suffering and adversity.
Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing of the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong reminded attendees that the gathering was not simply a break or holiday, but a response to God’s calling. “When you return to your families and daily lives,” he said, “you will find that God continues to call you—because life itself is a vocation.”
Participants also visited local outreach services for the marginalised, such as the MercyHK Canteen in Yau Ma Tei and the Hope of Love project by the Missionaries of Charity in Sham Shui Po
The prayer service concluded with a meditative ritual around the cross, where participants knelt to lay their foreheads on it in silent prayer, seeking peace and release from burdens carried in their hearts.
On May 3 and 4, attendees participated in various workshops and discussion sessions focused on faith, social responsibility, culture, and the arts.
The sessions were led by Taizé brothers and representatives from local Christian groups including the Hong Kong Catholic Marriage Advisory Council, Christian Youth Action, the Diocesan Labour Commission, and the Catholic Commission for Labour Affairs.
Participants also visited local outreach services for the marginalised, such as the MercyHK Canteen in Yau Ma Tei and the Hope of Love project by the Missionaries of Charity in Sham Shui Po.
They were given guided tours of key sites of Christian heritage and worship, including All Saints’ Cathedral of the Anglican Church in Mong Kok and St. Francis of Assisi Church in Shek Kip Mei, a Jubilee pilgrimage site.
In a time when so much news is negative, this was a powerful reminder of the good that is possible when we come together in faith,
Magdalene Wan
An evening prayer meeting was held at Wah Yan College and joined by around 700 people on May 4.
On the final day, the Taizé Community hosted a regional reflection meeting to explore how young people might live out hope in times of uncertainty and division.
Michael Chan, a Catholic participant from Taiwan, said he found the large international gathering deeply moving. “It gave me a true sense of community,” he said. “Sharing in prayer with others over several days, in different languages, was a powerful experience.”
He especially appreciated a session led by Brother Han Yol on fostering trust in cross-cultural dialogue. “Prejudices and stereotypes often arise not from deep cultural divides but from personal habits or assumptions,” he noted. “More communication can break these down.”
Chan also shared how living with a local host family offered him a deeper glimpse into the daily life of Hong Kong people and fostered genuine human connection.
Yeseul Kim, a participant from Busan, South Korea, said she had been inspired by the Taizé Community since the age of 20. Having once felt the need to retreat from the world and reflect, she found in this gathering an opportunity to refresh her spirit and gain renewed perspective. She said she was particularly touched by the hospitality of her host family, who brought her to Mass at Holy Family Church in Choi Hung, where she received a warm welcome from parishioners.
A young woman from Beijing shared that after experiencing a brief two-hour Taizé prayer meeting previously, she was drawn to join the longer gathering in Hong Kong during the May holidays. “It brought me peace and a sense of nearness to God,” she said.
Magdalene Wan, who hosted three international participants in her home, said she felt uplifted by the energy and sincerity of the young people attending the event. “In a time when so much news is negative, this was a powerful reminder of the good that is possible when we come together in faith,” she said.
In addition to host families, overseas participants were also accommodated in schools, parish facilities, religious institutes, and Christian organisations throughout the city.
