The Macau Cardinal Newman Culture and Performing Arts Center will address and discuss death and the topic of mortality all through the month of November, a time when Catholics especially pray for souls in purgatory. Based at Calçada da Vitória, the Newman Center wants to encourage discussion about death so that our departure from this life is no longer seen as a taboo subject.
A more open, more inclusive and more dialoguing Church. Chancellor of the Diocese of Macau Father Cyril Law brought forward recently the conclusions of the diocesan phase of the 2021-2023 Synod of Bishops. Among the many recommendations collected by the teams that gauged the pulse of Macau’s Catholic communities, one rises above all else: the perception that a Church that listens is a Church more aware of its limitations. Dialogue and improved communication are seen as critical by local Catholics.
In mid-October, Bishop Stephen Lee Bun-sang presided over a thanksgiving Mass for the success achieved by one of the most emblematic projects developed by the Macau Catholic Culture Association, the Living in Faith short video series. The micro-documentaries were watched over 100,000 times on social media, and soon they will reach one of the largest Catholic streaming platforms in North America.
Pope Francis asked, and Macau responded enthusiastically. Hundreds of children from local Catholic schools prayed the Rosary on October 18th as part of a global campaign of prayer for peace and unity promoted by the international foundation, Aid to the Church in Need. The local Portuguese-speaking Catholic community joined the “One Million Children Praying the Rosary” campaign for the second year in a row.
Nestled on the hills of Penha, the Monastery of Our Lady Star of Hope is one of the youngest houses of the order in the Asia region. At present, there are 10 sisters mostly from all over Asia. In relative simplicity, silence, and a life hidden from dominant culture, they balance the practices of prayer, reading and work. Their deep inner lives, distinct daily rhythms, and shared spiritual journey become a continuous prayer of life — to God, for people who ask for their prayers and for the world.
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.
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.
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 new Diocesan Youth Center is focused on drawing youth to discover the best in themselves, develop it and offer it to the world. In doing so, they will also evolve in their spiritual life and learn to become better persons.
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