First missionary mandate to seven catechists and delivery of the Silver Cross. In line with the indications ofAntiquum ministeriumthe Apostolic Letter in the form of Motu Proprio with which Pope Francis, in May 2021, established the lay ministry of the catechist, the diocese of Hong Kong conferred the mandate on the new missionaries in a solemn ceremony in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception after a year of training. Antiquum ministerium is one of the reforms of Francis’ pontificate regarding the co-responsibility of lay people in the mission. It is a ministry established, with a formal mandate from the bishop, which «gives greater emphasis to the missionary commitment typical of each baptized person» (Antiquum ministerium7). Hong Kong is among the first Asian dioceses to implement it in a solemn form. They will serve in the parishes, in the Association of Catholic University Students and in the Pastoral Commission for Marriage and Family. In fact, three fundamental groups of ecclesial life: the basic community, young adults in formation and families. This is a strategic choice that reveals a careful reading of the pastoral priorities of the diocese.
“Be open to the Holy Spirit, giving new plural and profound meaning to the mission of catechists” said Cardinal Stephen Chow Sau-yan, bishop of Hong Kong, during the ceremony held in recent days. To reiterate that the catechist is not the one who transmits notions, but the one who accompanies. Present, in addition to the cardinal, were the diocesan vicar Joseph Choi Wai-man, president of the diocesan commission for the ministry of catechists and other priests. During the homily the cardinal focused on the appearance of Jesus to the disciples of Emmaus, underlining how those who encounter the Lord are called to welcome his revelation with an open heart and to transmit the faith through relationships. “You catechists can live your calling through the different services by constantly renewing yourselves and deepening your knowledge, your experience of faith and your spiritual life,” he said. With the delivery of the Silver Cross, a distinctive sign of the ministry, the new catechists renewed their commitment to “contribute to the construction of the local Church, growing as witnesses of the faith, guides, interpreters of the mystery of God, companions on the journey and educators”. Upon receiving the mandate, they hoped that in the future more and more people would respond to God’s call and join their group, putting their charisms at the service of the Church. Now an evaluation period will begin which, according to the indications provided by the diocesan Vicar, will last two years. At the end of the process, Hong Kong will decide the future developments of the ministry.
