The Our Lady of Lourdes Community enjoyed a memorable and grace-filled weekend from 10–12 July as it welcomed His Eminence Stephen Chow Sau-yan, S.J., Cardinal Bishop of Hong Kong, for a pastoral visit that brought together Cantonese Catholics from across the dioceses of East Anglia, Westminster, and Northampton in celebration of their shared faith and heritage with the local parishes.

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Cardinal Chow was accompanied by around 16 Cantonese Catholics, who made a pilgrimage to the Parish on Friday 10th July. Their visit honoured the enduring witness of the Catholic faith in the area, where generations of Catholics remained faithful despite centuries of persecution. The pilgrimage also coincided with the 27th anniversary of the priestly ordination of their Chaplain, Fr John Minh.

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The Cardinal concelebrated the 9.30am Mass with Fr John Minh, offering thanksgiving for the inspiring witness of the English Martyrs, with particular remembrance of St John Rigby and St Nicholas Owen, S.J. The liturgy gave thanks for the courage and steadfast faith of those who preserved the Catholic faith in England through times of persecution.

During the visit, Cardinal Chow expressed his sincere gratitude to the Our Lady of Lourdes Community for its warm welcome and generous hospitality. In particular, he thanked the parish for making it possible for the Cantonese Catholic community to celebrate their regular Masses at the church since 2022, a gesture that has fostered friendship and strengthened the bonds between the two communities.

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Following the Mass, the Cardinal and pilgrims had a short walk through Sawston village, then shared a light lunch together at a local café before continuing their pilgrimage to Cambridge. There they visited the Catholic Chaplaincy serving the University of Cambridge and several sites associated with St John Fisher, whose witness as scholar, Cardinal bishop and martyr remains an enduring part of the city's Catholic heritage.

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The celebrations continued on Saturday 11th July with a solemn Mass for the Feast of the Martyrs of China at OLEM in the city centre. Cardinal Chow was the principal celebrant, joined by Fr Peter Ho and Fr John Minh as concelebrants, assisted by Deacon James from the Archdiocese of Westminster. The congregation was also honoured by the presence of the Rt Rev Peter Collins, Bishop of East Anglia, who joined the community ahead of the Confirmation celebrations the following day. The liturgy paid tribute to the heroic witness of the Martyrs of China and reflected on the universal nature of the Church, united across nations and cultures through the faith of those who gave their lives for Christ.

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The weekend concluded on Sunday with the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation, administered by Bishop Peter Collins. Fifteen candidates were confirmed, including nine of Cantonese origin, providing a joyful conclusion to a weekend marked by prayer, thanksgiving and fellowship.

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The visit of Cardinal Chow was a significant occasion for all the participants, celebrating not only the witness of the English and Chinese Martyrs but also the growing friendship between the local parishes and the Cantonese Catholic community. It was a visible reminder of the universal nature of the Catholic Church, bringing together clergy and faithful from Hong Kong, Cambridge, Westminster, Bedford, Bishop's Stortford, and East Anglia in a shared celebration of faith, hope and communion.

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