MIGRANTS’ SUNDAY IN MACAO

On January 16, 2011 the Church celebrated throughout the world World Day of Migrants and Refugees. In Macau, the local Church celebrated Migrants’ Day with a concelebrated Mass, a fellowship lunch and a cultural program. There are at present about twelve thousand migrants, the majority of which are Filipinos.

Celebrated at the famous Church of Saint Augustine, the Eucharist was presided by the bishop of Macao, Msgr. José Lai and concelebrated by about fifteen secular and religious priests – most of them missionaries in Macau. The Mass was attended by nearly one thousand people – most of them migrants living in Macau. It was animated by a lively and joyful choir of Filipino migrants. The Dominican students of St. Dominic’s Priory served at the Mass.

Bishop Lai spoke warmly and gratefully of the migrants in Macau (no refugees here at present).  He developed briefly the theme of this year’s celebration, “One sole human family,” and underlined some points from the message of Pope Benedict XVI for the occasion. Two other highlights of the Eucharistic celebration were the petitions – 15 in all – in different languages and the offerings of miniature flags by 14 migrants, each one representing his/her own country.

The fellowship lunch was also well-attended: nearly a thousand people ate different kinds of excellent food. The atmosphere was pleasant, familiar and serene. There was more than enough food for all.

Twenty four numbers, including messages, dances and songs made up the cultural program. A wide variety of different cultural expressions were expertly presented by groups or soloists of migrants representing their respective country, such as the Philippines, India, Spain, Indonesia, China, Korea, Macau, etc. The friendly audience applauded loudly and gladly each presentation. The whole cultural program showed well that the differences in culture do not separate but enrich us and therefore bond us more deeply. In fact, the various verbal and visual messages spoke clearly of one theme, namely unity as a loving family: “We are one family,” “we are the world,” “one Bread, one Body, and one People,” one Savior: Jesus Christ!

The celebration of the “World Day of Migrants and Refugees” in Macau is indeed a day to remember. We congratulate wholeheartedly and thank deeply bishop Lai, the Catholic Pastoral Center of the Diocese, and the Filipino Migrant Ministry. We close with the words of Pope Benedict XVI for this Migrants’ Day: One family of brothers and sisters urged to take part in dialogue, so that a serene and fruitful coexistence with respect for legitimate differences may be found. (FGB)