Jesuits celebrate 400th anniversary of their founder’s canonization

Saint Ignatius of Loyola and Saint Francis Xavier were canonized 400 years ago and, in Macau, the Society of Jesus marked the anniversary last Saturday with a Solemn Mass that took place at the Church of Saint Joseph’s Seminary. The celebrations of the Ignatian Year will come to a close on the 31st of July, but until then, the local Jesuits still have several initiatives on the agenda. The next one takes place on April 9th. 

Bishop Stephen Lee asks Catholics to pray for Hong Kong

The Bishop of Macau, Stephen Lee Bun-sang, convened a special prayer novena for the citizens of neighbouring Hong Kong and urged the local Catholics to pray for the end to the Covid-19 outbreak which is devastating the former British colony. Starting this Friday and until March 19th, a prayer released earlier by Pope Francis will be recited in all the local parishes, alongside the Prayer to Saint Roch which has been intoned in Macau churches since the early days of the pandemic.

Children and youth invited to reflect on the meaning of Lent

About fifty children and youth were invited to reflect on the meaning of Lent and how they can integrate Lenten practices in their life. The initiative brought together members of both the Lusophone Scouts Group of Macau (GELMac) and the catechesis group of Our Lady of Carmel parish. The meeting, which was held at the seaside resort of Cheoc Van, introduced the participants to the patron saints of the National Corps of Scouts, the Portuguese Catholic Scouting movement.