The humble, repentant sinner has greater value in the eyes of God than the egotistical Pharisee, who has a high opinion of himself and assumes that he merits rewards from God just because he follows a formula for righteousness recommended to him by his religion.
First, it was the Church of Our Lady of Fátima, then the Cathedral of the Nativity of Our Lady. The Bishop of Macau, D. Stephen Lee Bun-sang, presided over the installation ceremony of a set of relics of Saint Jacinta and Saint Francisco Marto on October 13th. The sacred objects – fragments of the coffins in which the seers of Fátima were buried – were brought to Macau by Carlos Anok Cabral. A member of the Brotherhood of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary of Fátima, Mr. Cabral visited Cova da Iria with the purpose of collecting a set of relics, returning to Macau with the same. A renowned Macanese chef, Carlos Cabral spoke with O Clarim about the way the process unfolded.
Saint Augustine wrote: “While he is in the flesh, man cannot but have at least some light sins. But do not despise these sins which we call ‘light’: if you take them for light when you weigh them, tremble when you count them. A number of light objects makes a great mass; a number of drops fills a river; a number of grains makes a heap. What then is our hope? Above all, confession (In epist. Io. 1, 6).”
The Macau Ricci Institute organized its annual symposium late last week. The event was held once again exclusively in a digital format, and it addressed the impact that the Covid-19 pandemic had on the relationship between China and the rest of the world.
Diocesan Youth Commission Deputy Director Tammy Chio is currently in Portugal to attend a preparatory meeting convened by the organizing committee of next year’s World Youth Day. Macau’s participation in the event, which takes place in Lisbon from 1st to 6th August 2023, seems to be well underway. A final decision, nonetheless, should be announced next summer. The last word remains with the Macau government and the anti-Covid policies still in place.
We must pray always and continuously if we are to see any perceptible change in the world and in ourselves. It is not that God does not hear us when we pray sometimes. It is just His way of encouraging us to begin the change within ourselves first.
A young Bayingyi from Myanmar talks about his life in his hometown, being Catholic, the situation in his country and how the conflict can be defused.
St. Francis’ experiences in life, which led to a deepening faith in God and love for Christ, are especially relevant in today’s materialistic, selfish world. He is that beacon that prompts us to strive for justice in an unequal world.
Our Lady of Carmel Church organized a charity Mooncake Project, promoting concern for integrated education and children in need. The design of the mooncake box has the word “communion” on it to indicate that SEN students are accepted and welcomed in the environment of inclusive education.
The Malang Stadium devastation caused the Catholic Church in Indonesia to speak about promoting harmony at different levels in society, treating games as a medium of enjoyment and not violence, and calling Catholics to a more active political life to initiate change for the betterment of society.