From Macau to the World: We Build Future with an Eye to the Past; Witness to the Heritage, Mission in the World
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
May the grace and peace of God fill the hearts of each one of you and descend upon every family at the beginning of 2026!
As the new year arrives, our Catholic Diocese of Macau also welcomes a historic moment of grace—the 450th Anniversary of the establishment of the Diocese (1576-2026). “Behold, new things have come” (2 Cor 5:17). We have taken “From Macau to the World” as the theme for this 450th Anniversary commemoration. With this as our departure point, “We Build Future with an Eye to the Past”; and “Witness to the Heritage, Mission in the World”. In this memorable year, I sincerely wish all the faithful in Macau health and an abundance of the Lord’s grace under the light of Christ. May this Diocesan Jubilee become an opportunity for us to rekindle the fire of faith, deepen the light of hope, and spread the warmth of charity.
Grateful for the cultivation of our predecessors, we look back 450 years to when Pope Gregory XIII promulgated the Papal Bull formally establishing the Diocese of Macau. Since then, Macau has become a hub for evangelization in the Far East. Countless diocesan priests, missionaries from various lands, and members of male and female religious orders and societies of apostolic life—especially those missionaries who came to the East from Portugal in the past—used Macau as a base to sow the seeds of the Gospel in Mainland China, Japan, Korea, and throughout Southeast Asia, including Singapore, Malacca, and Timor-Leste.
The treasure of faith we possess today is built upon the sacrifice and dedication of generations of bishops, priests, religious, and lay faithful. They are as the Bible says: “Those who sow in tears will reap with cries of joy” (Ps 126:5). We must offer special thanks to those predecessors who, in difficult times, steadfastly guarded the faith, fostered education, and served the weak. It is precisely because of their “Legacy of the True Light” that we are able today to continue witnessing to the great love of Christ in our parishes and social services.
Perhaps some may ask, why must we celebrate the 450th Anniversary in so grand a way? This is by no means to boast of past glory, but to discern the future direction in Christ. “Think back on the days of old, reflect on the years of age upon age” (Deut 32:7). Celebrating a Jubilee that belongs to the Diocese is an act of “Anamnesis” (Memory), to give thanks in memory for God’s work of redemption. As Pope Leo XIV reminded us in his Apostolic Letter Drawing New Maps of Hope: “The Gospel does not grow old, but makes ‘all things new’ (Rev 21:5). Every generation listens to it with regenerative freshness and is responsible for discovering its vital power” (Drawing New Maps of Hope, 1). The Pope exhorts us that in a changing generation, we must not build high walls, but build bridges; let this memory of the past become a compass for us to draw a map of hope for the future, rather than remaining merely in the photo albums of history.
Jesus Christ is “the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Heb 13:8). To allow this joy to benefit every member, the Diocese has prepared a rich series of celebratory activities (from 23 January 2026 to 23 January 2027), covering the aspects of liturgy, spirituality, culture, education, and evangelization, and I sincerely invite everyone to participate actively:
- Opening Ceremony: On 23 January, there will be the issuance of philatelic products and the “Lux Vera: Passing on the True Light” launch ceremony to officially unveil the celebrations.
- Spirituality and Liturgy: In addition to the Diocese’s traditional series of devotions and processions, several sacred music concerts will be held throughout the year. During Lent, we will hold the “The Cross of Faith – Woven in Unity” event. The culmination of the year’s celebrations will be the “Grand Celebration Ceremony and Mass” on 31 October. Let us be united in the Holy Eucharist.
- Opening of the Catholic Centre: The Diocese’s new landmark, the “Catholic Centre,” will open in the middle of the year and host two special exhibitions: “We Build Future with an Eye to the Past” and “Witness to the Heritage, Mission in the World”. These will witness, from historical and contemporary perspectives, the growth of the Diocese and society before and after the establishment of the Macau SAR.
- Family and Youth: Continuing our care for families and youth, the “Diocesan Family Day Carnival” will be held on 28 November, and the “Walking Together, Setting Sail Anew” Youth Gathering will take place on 5 December. I especially invite young people and families to play an active part in these activities.
- Academic Exchange and Communion: In January, we will host the Diocesan Teachers’ Volleyball Friendly Match; and in May, a symposium and a Principals’ Roundtable Conference on “Catholic Education’s Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow” will take place.
For the sake of our souls, during the 450th Anniversary of the establishment of the Diocese, St. Joseph’s Seminary Church has been designated as a pilgrimage site where a Plenary Indulgence may be obtained, valid until 23 January 2027. By obtaining a Plenary Indulgence for oneself or for the souls in Purgatory at this pilgrimage site, one may feel the Lord’s merciful love more personally. I hereby present to you the conditions for obtaining the Plenary Indulgence at the aforementioned church: 1. Devoutly visit the church; 2. Sacramental Confession; 3. Eucharistic Communion; 4. Pray for the propagation of the Faith and for the Pope’s intentions; 5. Participate in sacred liturgy within the church (e.g., Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, or meditation), concluding with the recitation of the Our Father, the Creed, and an invocation to the Blessed Virgin Mary (e.g., the Hail Mary).
Dear brothers and sisters, I invite every faithful in Macau, young and old alike, to fully immerse themselves in this 450th Anniversary celebration that belongs to us all. Do not be mere onlookers, but be participants and witnesses. Let us join hands and hearts to embody the fragrance of Christ in our respective roles—in families, schools, parishes, and society.
We ask Mary, Mother of God, St. Joseph, and all the Patron Saints of the Diocese of Macau to intercede for us. May Almighty God bless you, making this 450th Anniversary a year of grace for all, so that the light of the Gospel may continue to shine and be passed on in this land of Macau.
† Bishop Stephen Lee Bun Sang
Catholic Diocese of Macau
Feast of the Epiphany, 6 January 2026
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