Joseph Zen

Joseph Zen, Bishop Emeritus of Hong Kong

[Joseph Zen @CardJosephZen]

常年期第30主日 福音分享（2026）@Carlos_sdb 歡迎轉發

Sunday Homily Reflection (2026)
30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37)

Today’s Gospel invites us to reflect on the commandment of love: to love God wholeheartedly and to love our neighbour as ourselves.

God Loved Us First

Jesus’ words come from the Book of Deuteronomy, in a prayer recited daily by Jewish people: “Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one Lord.”

These words recall the history of God’s love for His people. He remained faithful to His promise to their ancestors and delivered them from slavery in Egypt. The commandment to love God is therefore a response to the love He has already shown us.

This love, revealed throughout the Old Testament, reaches its fullness in Jesus Christ. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus fulfils God’s promises and brings us salvation.

Responding with Gratitude and Humility

Our response begins with gratitude. When we recognise that we have received far more than we could ever give, we learn to be humble.

Humility shapes how we relate to others. It helps us listen, speak as equals, and enter into dialogue with respect and openness.

Loving Our Neighbour

God loved us first, and we are called to respond with love. The first commandment is to love God; the second is like it: “Love your neighbour as yourself.”

The first reading reminds us to care especially for foreigners, widows, orphans, and those living in poverty. Today, this care also embraces the sick, older people, people with disabilities, victims of disasters, and newly arrived immigrants.

Those who are vulnerable hold a special place in the Church’s mission. Our love for God finds concrete expression in the compassion, respect, and practical help we offer them.

Let us give thanks for God’s love, respond with humble hearts, and put our faith into practice by caring for those most in need.

https://t.co/aqPPgeKov5

[Diane Montagna @dianemontagna]

JUST IN: Vatican Bars Annual TLM Pilgrimage from Entering St. Peter’s Basilica — https://t.co/drkgaV9fke

According to organizers of the annual ‘Summorum Pontificum’ pilgrimage , the decision was communicated in a recent letter from the Vatican Secretariat of State

More here: https://t.co/drkgaV9fke

[Edward Pentin @EdwardPentin]

Christian Marquant, president of the traditional Catholic Paix Liturgique Association, has revealed that he has asked at least 10 times for a meeting with Cardinal Arthur Roche, prefect of the Dicastery for Divine Worship.

"When staff in Roche’s dicastery asked why he wanted a meeting, Marquant replied that he wished to greet him, since he had regularly visited his predecessor to receive instructions, and even simply to have a coffee together.

Nothing. Not even an honest exchange." —
@messainlatino
Link below 👇

[Edward Pentin @EdwardPentin]

Bishop Mutsaerts on the Catholic Response to a (Synodal) Church in Crisis

In a recent talk at the Catholic Identity Conference, Dutch Bishop Rob Mutsaerts outlined the nature and extent of the crisis in the Church and mapped out a way forward grounded in Christian hope.
https://t.co/NJsgkmuOSj

[Diane Montagna @dianemontagna]

JUST IN: Cardinal Parolin Under Scrutiny Over Remarks on Pope Leo XIV’s Pontificate

Writing in the Sunday edition of @ilgiornale, @nicospuntoni examines the controversy surrounding the Cardinal’s comments and the wider challenges and defeats he has faced in recent months.

English translation of Nico Spuntoni’s article here: https://t.co/4cY8mBNIwY

[Nico Spuntoni @nicospuntoni]

«Parolin? No, ha troppi impegni». Così il segretario di Stato ha visto sfumare il ruolo di decano. Prima ancora c’era stata la sconfessione su un’operazione immobiliare. Ed ora il cardinale è sotto accusa per le dichiarazioni sul pontificato da rimodulare. Il retroscena su @ilgiornale

https://t.co/BXELjGLT9J

[Michael Haynes 🇻🇦 @MLJHaynes]

Who is Bishop Macías, the new No 2 at the Vatican's liturgy office?

The Spanish prelate played a role in the Vatican's approval of what has been dubbed the “Mayan rite” – although the Mexican bishops protest the term.

The controversial liturgical adaptions were infused with pagan theology – this correspondent read both the original draft & the draft later sent to Rome for approval.

Analysis on @CatholicHerald

[Edward Pentin @EdwardPentin]

Canonists Warn Synod’s Canon Law Proposals Blur Lines of Church Authority | National Catholic Register

Critics say the commission’s recommendations on lay governance, tribunals and infallibility contradict Vatican II; the nonbinding report would require Pope Leo’s approval.
https://t.co/mtA5D6i84W @NCRegister

[InfoVaticana @Infovaticana]

Zen agradece a Schneider su conferencia sobre la «toma hostil» dentro de la Iglesia

https://t.co/6jlJLxUZI0

[Joseph Zen @CardJosephZen]

Thank you, Bishop Schneider, for sharing such an interesting anecdote and your reflections.

"The hostile takeover within the Catholic Church!" (Bishop Schneider's C... https://t.co/QK65x8dBcc 來自 @YouTube

‘As to the image of a seemingly sleeping Lord, I remember a conversation with Cardinal Joseph Zen in Hong Kong many years ago. Knowing about Cardinal Zen’s love for the traditional Latin Mass and the Gregorian chant, I asked him which were his favourite song, whereupon he answered: “The Introit of Sexagesima”. To be honest I did know be heart which was the text of the Introit of the Sexagesima Sunday. The Cardinal noticed it, and started to sing with much unction the Gregorian chant melody of that Introit:

“Exsúrge, quare obdórmis, Dómine? exsúrge, Dómine, ádjuva nos, et líbera nos.” In English: “Arise, why sleepest Thou, O Lord? arise, O Lord, help us and deliver us.” (Psalm 43: 23-26) The Cardinal observed that the course of the melody of this Introit impressively stresses the word “exsurge”, “arise, wake up”.

“The Pope and the bishops are in fact not the lords and the authors of the faith, but should be its faithful and scrupulous keepers, defenders and lovers.”

Tweet this quote Cardinal Zen then shared a hilarious story. He spoke once with a Cardinal in Rome, trying to make clear to that Cardinal an important issue for the Church. When however this Cardinal showed up stubborn and unimpressed, Cardinal Zen began to sing before the Cardinal in Gregorian the Introit: “Exsúrge, quare obdórmis, Dómine? Exsúrge!”, “Wake up, why are you sleeping? Wake up!”.’

[Edward Pentin @EdwardPentin]

Cardinal Burke Defends Title ‘Co-Redemptrix’ for the Virgin Mary

At a Rome conference, the American cardinal said the title affirms Mary’s unique but wholly subordinate cooperation in Christ’s saving work, with Our Lady of Guadalupe offering a vivid expression of that mission.

https://t.co/gdI8ubxQJK

[Michael Haynes 🇻🇦 @MLJHaynes]

NEW: Pope Leo has named Sister Mary Barron as adjunct secretary of the Dicastery for Evangelization in the Section for First Evangelization & New Particular Churches

She is also thus made president of the Pontifical Mission Societies

During the Synod on Synodality, Sr Barron emerged as a proponent of female ordination, saying that – “Is the spirit calling women? Because some women do sense a call to priesthood or diaconate”

[Joseph Zen @CardJosephZen]

常年期第27主日 福音分享（2026）@Carlos_sdb 歡迎轉發

Sunday Homily Reflection (2026)
27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

A father once gave his son a small potted plant. He hoped that his son would water it every day and take good care of it.

At first, the boy looked after it very carefully. But after a while, he became busy playing and gradually forgot about the plant.

One day, he noticed that its leaves had turned yellow. Feeling sad, he asked his father, “Dad, the leaves have turned yellow. What should I do?”

His father did not scold him. Instead, he encouraged him, saying:

“I gave you this plant because I trusted you to take good care of it. It needs your attention. You cannot simply like it and then forget about it.”

After hearing this, the boy began to care for the plant again.

Today’s readings invite us to reflect on a similar message: we must not let God down by neglecting the love and trust he has placed in us.

In today’s Gospel, we hear a tragic story. The owner of a vineyard sends his servants to collect his share of the harvest. But the tenants beat some of the servants and kill others.

Finally, the owner sends his own son. Yet the tenants kill him too.

When Jesus asks what the owner will do to those tenants, his listeners reply that he will put those wicked men to death and give the vineyard to others.

The first reading, from the fifth chapter of Isaiah, is a song of love for a vineyard. It expresses the pain of God, whose love for the people of Israel has been met with disappointment.

The Gospel’s parable echoes this sorrow. The tenants take possession of a vineyard that does not belong to them. They treat what has been entrusted to them as their own property.

Jesus directs this warning towards the chief priests and the Pharisees. But it also challenges anyone who leads a community or holds a position of responsibility.

In God’s plan, every leader is a tenant in his vineyard. God entrusts his beloved vineyard to their care. They must look after it faithfully, rather than claim it as their own.

Leaders in society need to reflect on this. Religious leaders need to do the same.

Like the owner of the vineyard, God cares for us with love and patience. He hopes that each of us will bear good fruit.

What fruit does he expect?

He wants us to practise justice and to treat the people around us with sincerity and love.

The severe judgement described in the Gospel may sound like revenge, as though God’s love has turned into hatred. But God does not hate the people he has created.

Sin itself has painful consequences. When we turn away from God, act selfishly, or hurt others, we damage our relationships and the life entrusted to us.

The strong language of the parable helps us recognise the seriousness of sin and its destructive effects. It calls us to repentance and encourages us to remain faithful to our responsibilities.

Dear brothers and sisters,

Let us begin today by being a little less selfish and a little more caring.

Let us be faithful Christians and fulfil our responsibilities, whether as students, parents, children, or people entrusted with the care of others.

Through concrete actions in our daily lives, let us respond to God’s love.

Then, in his vineyard, we can bear the good fruit that he expects from us.

https://t.co/5LH69N3w4Y

[Joseph Zen @CardJosephZen]

孔志剛修士安息主懷——守靈彌撒

2026年10月1日（星期四），本人為慈幼會孔志剛修士（Br. Arnold de Groot, SDB）舉行守靈彌撒。

孔修士是慈幼會中華會省最年長的會士，可能也是東亞澳區最年長的會士。他安息主懷時，距離2026年10月29日的102歲生日僅約一個月。

他的侄兒 Oscar 於9月26日從荷蘭抵達香港，也參與了守靈彌撒，與我們一起祈禱，追念孔修士。

請大家繼續為孔志剛修士的靈魂安息祈禱，也特別為慈幼會修士聖召祈禱。

Brother Arnold de Groot, SDB, Has Returned to the Father — Vigil Mass

On Thursday, 1 October 2026, I celebrated the Vigil Mass for Brother Arnold de Groot, SDB.

Brother Arnold was the oldest confrere in the Salesian China Province, and possibly also in the East Asia–Oceania Region. He passed away about a month before his 102nd birthday, which would have fallen on 29 October 2026.

His nephew Oscar, who arrived from the Netherlands on Saturday, 26 September, also joined us for the Mass to pray and remember Brother Arnold.

Please continue to pray for the eternal repose of Brother Arnold’s soul, and especially for vocations to the Salesian Brother.

[Joseph Zen @CardJosephZen]

常年期第26主日 福音分享（2026）@Carlos_sdb 歡迎轉發

Sunday Homily Reflection (2026)
26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today’s readings remind us that God invites each of us to repent and receive new life.
In the first reading, the prophet Ezekiel tells us that a righteous person who turns away from goodness may lose his life, while a sinner who sincerely repents can find new life. God is not only just but also merciful, always ready to forgive us.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells the parable of the two sons. One promises to work in his father’s vineyard but does not go. The other initially refuses but later changes his mind and goes.
Jesus reminds us that what matters is not simply what we say, but how we respond to God’s will through our actions.
Sometimes, we consider ourselves good Catholics because we pray regularly and attend Mass. But do we truly live the Gospel in our daily lives? Do we forgive others, care for those in need, and show love to the people around us?
In the second reading, St Paul invites us to follow the example of Christ’s humility. Although Jesus is divine, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even to death on a cross.
Dear brothers and sisters, we should never become proud of our goodness, nor should we lose hope because of our past mistakes. What matters is our willingness to repent, change our lives, and renew our relationship with God.
Today, let us ask God for a humble and open heart, so that we may respond to his love not only with words but also through our actions.
May we willingly work in the Lord’s vineyard and follow Christ more faithfully each day.

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival to you all! May God bless you and your families with peace, joy, good health, and happiness.

https://t.co/gEwL8WFkOO

[Diane Montagna @dianemontagna]

JUST IN: Cardinal Arborelius Not Complying with Vatican Decree on Priest He Suspended, Letter Shows — https://t.co/MBLo8oZymE

The Swedish Cardinal’s Aug. 30 letter to Father Tobias Unnerstål also undercuts his Chancery’s explanation for not publicly informing the faithful that the priest’s suspension was ruled invalid and that he may administer certain sacraments.

[Michael Haynes 🇻🇦 @MLJHaynes]

A Hong Kong court today dismissed the appeal made by Cardinal Zen & 4 other trustees of the 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund

He had been fined HK $4,000 in Nov 2022 for allegedly failing to properly register the fund

Zen began the appeal process in Dec 2022

More on @CatholicHerald

[Niwa Limbu @NiwaLimbu1988]

LATEST — A Hong Kong appeals court has today upheld the 2022 convictions of His Eminence Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, S.D.B., and four fellow trustees of the now-defunct 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund.

The 94-year-old Cardinal, Bishop Emeritus of Hong Kong was fined HK$4,000 ($512).

The five were first arrested in 2022 on suspicion of colluding with foreign forces under the national security law, though they were never charged under that statute.

More to come at @RealAdVaticanum

[exicablenews @icablenews]

《獨立媒體》
#612基金案 高院駁回定罪上訴 五信託人將提終極上訴
https://t.co/D3nYHAAgSI
//「612人道支援基金」5名信託人...被指沒有遵從《社團條例》規定註冊，經審訊被裁定罪成判罰款。他們不服定罪上訴，今日被高等法院上訴庭駁回，維持原判...吳靄儀在法院外向傳媒表示，他們將上訴至終審法院//

[Hong Kong Free Press HKFP @hkfp]

A Hong Kong court has upheld the convictions of Cardinal Joseph Zen and four other appellants over failing to properly register their now-defunct fund that supported protesters during the 2019 protests and unrest.

In full: https://t.co/CsR6osP8wl

Photo: Hans Tse/HKFP.