Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Hong Kong (Agenzia Fides) - “Receive the Holy Spirit as the guide of your soul, your interior teacher,” and “moved by the Holy Spirit, serve your neighbor, especially your peers, by bearing witness to your faith.” This was what Hong Kong’s Auxiliary Bishop John Tong said during the rite of “sending” for the nearly 230 youth of Hong Kong who, led by Father Paul Kam Po Wai, will head to Sydney (Australia) for the celebration of World Youth Day. According to a report from the Kong Ko Bao (the Chinese version of the diocesan bulletin), nearly 500 faithful took part in the solemn missionary sending conferred on the youth.
Bishop Tong encouraged the youth to be open to the Holy Spirit, coming together to evangelize the world. “When a young person finds himself alone, the enthusiasm of evangelization easily fades. But, when you come together it is communicated and you influence each other.” He also encouraged the young people to pray and to read Sacred Scripture: “That way, you can respond to the Holy Father’s request that we face the challenges of secularism and globalization.”
According to Fr. Kam, “during the encounter of the Asian youth – within the context of WYD – we will present ‘Asian Youth Day’ for the Filipino Catholic youth, following the Church’s tradition. The youth of our delegation, who are divided into Group A and Group B, come from parishes, associations, and youth groups of the various religious institutes. We have also prepared small gifts to exchange with the other youth from other nations (such as painted Chinese sticks...) and a banner with the signatures of the youth from Hong Kong to wave in Sydney.” The youth are all very excited because “We are about to see the Pope!”. They have even prepared the liturgical celebrations in Latin, to bear witness - along with the other youth of the world - to the tradition of the Church and the faith. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 09/07/2008)
