ASIA/CHINA – The theological virtue of hope at the heart of the “Advent letters” of the Bishops of Hong Kong and Guangzhou

Guangzhou – The theological virtue of hope is the central theme of the pastoral letters that Chinese bishops are addressing to their diocesan parishes for Advent 2025.
The Bishop of the Diocese of Hong Kong, Cardinal Stephen Chow Sau-Yan, writes at the beginning of his Advent pastoral letter: “The Jubilee Year of Hope is coming to an end. But hope itself does not end. And hope is the spirit of Advent.” In this context, he also recalls that 2026 will mark the 80th anniversary of the Diocese of Hong Kong, and the theme of the celebrations will be “Messengers of Hope.” On December 8, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, the diocesan Jubilee Year begins, which will last until the end of 2026. In 2027, a diocesan assembly will be held, dedicated to reflection and exchange on the synodal dynamics of the Church, which is on the path of “dialogue in the Holy Spirit.”
In his five-chapter pastoral Letter, Cardinal Chow explains that “when the love of God works within us, we are both recipients of hope and called to be mediators of that hope: we truly become messengers of hope.”
Also referring to Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV , the Bishop of Hong Kong urges his “brothers, sisters, and friends” to see themselves as “messengers of hope,” “not for ourselves, but for one another, especially for those who are struggling and whose hope is weakened.” “Our world,” the Cardinal said, “needs the people of God to show these people in need the authenticity of love and hope. If they allow themselves to be embraced by love and hope until they rediscover the regenerative power of God, then their wounds can be healed.”
In his pastoral letter for Advent 2025, Bishop Joseph Gan Junqiu of the Diocese of Guangzhou emphasizes that Christians should not become alienated from reality or escape from it. Even less should they succumb to a lethargic or resigned attitude. Rather, the baptized are called to demonstrate their passion for life and to sow “the hope of eternal life” in lonely people. The celebration of Advent, the Bishop of Guangzhou added, opens “a path of hope, a path of sanctification.” This hope “sanctifies our lives and will enable us, upon Christ’s return, to enter into eternal bliss together with Lazarus, who once endured the sufferings of this world.”
Waiting for the Second Coming of Christ, according to Bishop Joseph Gan, is the attraction “that leads Christians to sanctification” by uniting them in hope with Mary, the Mother of Hope.

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