Six of our Brothers graduated from their studies at the University of Saint Joseph, in Macau, last 12th of September 2020. They were the following: our Prior, Fr Paul Fan (Bachelor Business Administration), Fr Ignatius Ngo Van (Master in Education), Brothers Stephen Saw Lej, Marko Thoe Reh, and Francis Bu Ling (Bachelor in Philosophy and Theology), and Luke Jeon Seok Hoon (Master in Education). Congratulations to all of them.
The graduation ceremony and the giving of Diplomas were held at the Tower of Macau. It was a solemn, formal, colorful event, with speeches from the Chancellor of the University, the Rector, and the Government representative. Also rounded up by some words of gratitude, on behalf of the Graduates, by one of the Students.
The picturesque note was caused by the safety measures imposed by the current pandemic: On the stage were religious, civil, and academic authorities all dressed up in their gowns and regalia, but with their faces semi-covered with a mask So were the graduating students as they went up to receive their diplomas. No choice, no exception, it was protocol; the only choice allowed was the color of the mask, which was not regulated! What will the next generation think when they see those pictures? For sure, they will laugh at their rather comic appearance, only until someone may manage to have to explain to them that in 2020 an invisible guest, in a virus form, managed to leave its mark printed in our faces and in our souls.