The Sant’Egidio Community in Hong Kong observed the World Day of the Poor with the opening of the Home of Mercy, a shelter for the homeless and the former prison inmates in Chungking Mansions, Tsim Sha Tsui, on November 18. The 1,000 square foot centre can accommodate eight residents. The inauguration, officiated by Bishop Michael Yeung Ming-cheung of Hong Kong, marked the golden jubilee of the community in Rome.
Addressing the gathering, Bishop Yeung recalled that decades ago a homeless person, who had just been released from prison, came to him for confession. He was shabby and dirty, and was seeking peace of mind from Jesus while looking back at his past. The suffering Christ was present in that person. He said that even after decades in the priesthood, he still remembers the incident. The bishop hoped that the centre would be a place where the poor can experience the love of God and that there would be more people to care for the needy.
