Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Hong Kong (Agenzia Fides) – World Youth Day (WYD) has strengthened the faith and encouraged the response of the youth to their vocations. The Diocese of Hong Kong continues to reap fruits from WYD. According to a report from the Kong Ko Bao (the Chinese version of the diocesan bulletin), Father S. Kalisz, of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI), says: “After WYD, we saw the greatest level of youth participation in parish life. Many youth are maturing in their decision to enter religious life and the spirit of WYD lives on, helping the youth to live their faith more deeply.” In the OMI Youth Group, begun after WYD, “a dozen young people get together to pray often and participate together in the Mass. They have even shared their experiences with the other parishioners. They do social service work, especially with the poor. I am glad that through Saint Eugene de Mazenod, our founder, the youth are becoming more aware of the value of faith and charity. I have seen how the youth are more willing to leave behind a life of commodity to take up consecrated life.”
Sr. Sania Ho, of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary (FMM), shares her joy: “I am happy that the youth have become more open to the life of the Church after WYD, but they need good spiritual guides, because spiritual formation is fundamental. I can say that from experience. My vocation arose from WYD 1997 in Paris. I began thinking about my vocation, thanks to some Spiritual Exercises I did in France, thanks to prayer, and above all, my encounter with the Lord. So, I try to help the youth today, because spiritual life and prayer are what help in discerning a vocation. As a parish and community, we should help them in this sense, in the wake of WYD.” (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 19/9/2008)
