Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Hong Kong (Agenzia Fides) – Receiving the solemn blessing of Bishop John Tong, Bishop of Hong Kong, twenty diocesan priests left for a 17-day pilgrimage to Ars (France), birthplace of St. John Vianney, to conclude the Year for Priests proclaimed by Benedict XVI. According to a report from the Kong Ko Bao (the Chinese version of the diocesan bulletin), the departure ceremony was held in the Hall of Prayer of the Hong Kong Airport on April 27. Bishop John Tong exhorted to diocesan priests take advantage of this valuable spiritual opportunity to "renew their priesthood." "The Lord has given you this gift of the priesthood. Live this journey with a heart full of gratitude," he said, announcing that he will be spiritually accompanying the priests in his praying of the Rosary.
The priests, wearing sweatshirts with the words "Hong Kong Priest 2010," are led by Msgr. Dominic Chan, Vicar of the Diocese, and will return on May 13, the feast of Our Lady of Fatima.
The itinerary of the pilgrimage, which will trace the life and spiritual experience of St. John Vianney, also will stop in the hometown of St. Therese of Lisieux and at the Taize Community. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 30/04/2010)
