Pope Francis supports Hong Kong prison ministry
Joseph Cardinal Zen Ze-kiun has a long record of prison ministry and his dedication to those behind bars continues to this very day.
He regularly celebrates Mass in the prisons when the opportunity arises and several years ago embarked on a project to provide every person behind bars in the city’s prisons or correctional centres with a treat of a top class mooncake for the *Mid-Autumn festival in September.
Since he stepped down from his role as bishop of the city in 2009, he has held twice-monthly meetings in prisons.
His mooncake drive got an extra shot in the arm this year when Pope Francis announced that he would get behind the drive and personally put in €500 ($750AUD) to help the cause.
The papal generosity and interest prompted a record collection among people in Hong Kong.
The $253,000 HK ($42,500AUD) collected exceeded the cost of the purchase of the 10,000 mooncakes needed to supply each prisoner.
The excess will be donated to the papal charities. “In this way,” Cardinal Zen said, “we contribute willingly to support two significant works.”
In a letter to the people of Hong Kong, Pope Francis wrote, “Dear faithful. Gladly I join with you to donate mooncakes to our brothers and sisters in the prisons of Hong Kong. Jesus will recognise us at the door of heaven. Happy moon festival! I cordially bless you. Pope Francis.”
Cardinal Zen said that he only asked the pope for €2 ($3AUD) and said that he was overjoyed at his generosity.
*The Mid-Autumn Festival is a harvest festival that has its history dating back over 3,000 years to the Shang Dynasty when people thanked the moon god for the harvest. It is still a time of giving thanks, time for families to spend special time together and for prayer where people pray their specific requests.
Source: Sunday Examiner, Hong Kong - sundayex.catholic.org.hk
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