Fr. Franz Gassner, SVD, reflects on his journey from an Austrian farm to becoming a missionary priest in Macau. Through faith, studies, and global experiences, he discovered his vocation. Now an Associate Professor at the University of Saint Joseph, he emphasizes the Church’s role in offering hope and unity across cultures.
In this Sunday gospel reflection, we learn the significance of the Eucharist, how bread and wine symbolize the fruits of human labor and God’s blessings. Work is a divine vocation, not a curse, allowing humans to participate in God’s creation. The Eucharist endows work with redemptive meaning, linking it to Jesus’ sacrifice. In the face of technological advancements, especially AI, this reflection calls for preserving the sacred value of labor and maintaining human dignity.
Saint Cyril of Alexandria played a pivotal role in affirming the doctrine that Mary is Theotokos (Mother of God). He opposed Nestorius, who argued that Mary was only Christotokos (Mother of Christ) and denied the unity of Jesus’ divine and human natures. Cyril’s efforts culminated in the Council of Ephesus in 431, which confirmed his teachings and condemned Nestorius’ views.
On Pentecost weekend, the Cathedral of the Nativity of Our Lady in Macau celebrated Confirmation for its Chinese, Portuguese, and English communities, led by Bishop Stephen Lee. This sacrament strengthens Catholics with the Holy Spirit to build up the Church and witness Christ. The celebrations underscored the importance of Confirmation in Christian initiation and its connection to the Eucharist.
In 1946, during Portugal’s 300th anniversary of consecration to the Immaculate Conception, three white doves stayed with the statue of Our Lady of Fatima throughout a grand procession from Fatima to Lisbon. They performed symbolic acts of adoration during Mass, representing faith, hope, and charity.
The annual procession honoring Our Lady of Fátima in Macau on May 13 featured a bilingual Mass by Bishop Stephen Lee and a candle-lit procession. This event commemorates Mary’s apparitions at Fátima, stressing the importance of sincere conversion and gratitude for God’s messages.
Father L. delves into the question of why Jesus prayed, highlighting that prayer is a profound communion with God. He emphasizes Jesus’ example of spending an entire night in prayer as a reflection of his perfect unity with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Father L. encourages readers to deepen their prayer lives, following Jesus’ example and seeking a continuous connection with God.
O Clarim director Fr. Eduardo Emilio Agüero, SCJ, recently organized a mission trip to Cabo Verde, Africa, allowing young Catholics from Macau to engage in service projects, deepen their faith, and live out the Great Commission. This experience aims to inspire virtues like humility and compassion, strengthen their faith, and guide them in their spiritual journey and vocation discernment.
Rudolf Höss, former head of Auschwitz, experienced a profound change before his execution. Originally a German Catholic who became an atheist and Nazi, he committed numerous atrocities. The humane treatment by Polish jailers during his imprisonment led to his conversion to Catholicism. Days before his hanging, Höss expressed remorse, renounced Nazi ideology, and emphasized the power of kindness and independent thought.
The solemnity of the Holy Trinity celebrates the unity and distinctiveness of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, emphasizing their collective mission of salvation. This mystery, beyond human explanation, is best appreciated through faith.