More than 10,000 moon cakes are ready to be dispatched to all
prison inmates in Hong Kong, thanks to donations from Pope Francis and Catholic
faithful in the diocese, as the fundraised target of this charitable event has
been met. This is the fourth consecutive year that Cardinal Joseph Zen, emeritus bishop of Hong Kong, has urged local Catholics to donate money to buy 10,500 moon cakes for all prison inmates in order that they can share some joy during the Mid-autumn Festival, a traditional Chinese family festivity that falls on Sept 19 this year.
Moon cakes symbolize family reunion and thankfulness to the harvest moon in autumn.
In response to Cardinal Zen's appeal, Pope Francis made a donation, along with a card dated August 7, 2013. "Pope Francis cares for prisoners and responded to my request," the 81-year-old Chinese cardinal told AsiaNews.
In his card, Pope Francis wrote in Italian, "Dear Faithful: Gladly I join with you to donate moon cakes to our brothers and sisters in the prisons of Hong Kong. Jesus will recognize us at the door of Heaven. Happy Moon Festival! I cordially bless you, PP Francis".
Cardinal Zen translated the Pope's words into Chinese, and made into a card together with a photo they both took in June 2013 at House of Santa Marta in the Vatican. Copies of this card (pictured) were sent to contributors for this collection.
In early September, Cardinal Zen said, "I sent the Holy Father a box of moon cakes and share this festive joy with him." Moon cakes are usually filled with lotus seed paste and two salted egg-yolks.
Rose, a Catholic volunteer in the prison evangelization service of the diocese, told AsiaNews that she was moved by Pope Francis' generosity and Cardinal Zen's commitment in serving the prisoners. "Their acts will certainly boost the morale of the inmates, who will feel the loving care of others; and their acts will remind people of the need of the helplessness," she noted.
Prison visits is one of the ministries that Cardinal Zen has not given up even after he retired as the bishop of Hong Kong in April 2009. "When I visited the inmates in August, they reminded me of the moon cakes," he smiled. "I'm sure they know that Pope Francis has supported the event as they always read newspapers."
"Sometimes the inmates and I discussed current affairs, and sometimes we watched Church videos together," said Cardinal Zen, who visits the prisons regularly.
In October 2011, Kung Kao Po, Hong Kong diocesan weekly, published a letter undersigned as "a prison inmate."
The letter openly thanked Cardinal Zen for sending them moon cakes, not only as a festive pastry, but also as a token of "acceptance and love from people".
Meanwhile, Church groups and civic organizations have also collected moon cakes and distribute them to the elderly who live alone and to the lower income families.
This will share the festive joy to all and families.