The Diocese of Hong Kong blessed “Hold it Together,” a sculpture by Canadian artist Timothy Schmalz, at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Shek Kip Mei, marking the fourth installation in a Jubilee Year series.
The sculpture, which depicts Jesus embracing a homeless person, serves as a visual call to care for the poor and vulnerable, according to a report by the Sunday Examiner. It is part of the Church’s Ordinary Jubilee 2025 celebration.
Vicar general Father Joseph Chan Wing-chiu, who led the blessing, urged Catholics to recognize Christ’s presence in the suffering.
“We need to open our hearts and eyes to recognize Jesus. Sculptures are merely reminders, prompting us to discover Jesus in our daily lives,” he said. “He is waiting for us to draw closer to him and to express our love.”
Father Chan reminded the faithful that seeing Christ in others begins with a personal encounter with him, and encouraged them to become like Jesus, “our elder brother.”
More than 100 people attended the ceremony, including parish priest Father Aloysius Mak and Sister Catherine Fung of the diocesan Jubilee committee.
The event featured a discussion on service to the poor. Ellis Suen, president of the Hong Kong Central Council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, said, “True service involves personal actions, such as advocating for them and comprehending the root causes of poverty.”
Suen emphasized empathy and dignity in serving others. “They are not simply waiting for our charity; rather, in that exchange, they provide us with love and fulfillment,” he said, adding that “serving the poor should never be delayed, even if it interrupts prayer, as acts of compassion are prayers in themselves.”
Oscar Lai of the Hong Kong Catholic Commission for Labour Affairs outlined the Church’s outreach to low-wage workers, including acupuncture therapy, rest stations, digital literacy for the elderly, and pandemic food relief.
He noted that while conversion is not the goal, some recipients eventually joined the Church.
The Diocesan Pastoral Centre for Workers in Kowloon also highlighted its multicultural outreach with booths offering milk tea, snacks, crafts, and henna art.
The gathering ended with Eucharistic adoration led by Father Chan.
The sculpture follows earlier Jubilee installations by Schmalz: “Be Welcoming” in Tseung Kwan O, “Sheltering” in Tsing Yi, and “When I Was in Prison” in Stanley.
