When the choir representing the Diocese of San José traveled to Hong Kong for the Jubilee Hymnal Exchange, they knew themselves to be a modest delegation compared to many of the choirs they would encounter — 13 singers and three musicians, one as young as 14 years old.  

Yet, on the night of their performance, as they sang in Hong Kong’s Saint Francis of Assisi Church, their voices formed part of a united, powerful expression of the Church’s prayer for hope when joined with the hundreds of international vocalists and musicians in singing the Jubilee Song, Pilgrims of Hope.

Not a dry eye could be found once the song had concluded.

Saint Simon parishioner Stan Chow, brother of Cardinal Steven Chow, recalled the feeling of the concert. “I have never seen that many gifted singers from different countries offering their praise to God through well-practiced music in one worshipping place. We all belong to one family.”

The Road to Hong Kong

Preparation for the journey began months in advance. Choristers prepared by listening to recordings and by rehearsing both privately and collectively. Many members did so even while they continued their regular ministry commitments at their home parishes.

All involved poured their souls into a twelve-minute program that could stand confidently on an international stage. Saint Simon choir director Tamami Honma reflected on how, “we were the only delegation from the United States, and we felt a great responsibility to showcase our richly varied music, in the best possible light.” Once the song list had been finalized and perfected, the choir boarded a plane for Hong Kong alongside Bishop Cantú, with the support of their pastor, Father Brendan Maguire.  

Against a Backdrop of Regional Tragedy

When they touched down in Hong Kong, they were doing so against a backdrop of a heart-wrenching tragedy. Only days before, the region had witnessed a devastating fire that claimed 168 lives, including one choir member. Organizers had considered cancelling the Hymnal Exchange but then decided that a program themed with hope was still appropriate at that moment.

Taking the stage with choirs from all over Asia— from Taipei, Macau, Japan, Korea, and Mongolia — was an unforgettable experience for the group. The evening’s performance culminated in the entire church singing “Pilgrims of Hope.” Katie Perez, from Saint Simon, described the moment simply as “very powerful; it signified being united in one faith.” Fred Tou, also from Saint Simon, reflected, “The entire church reverberated with hope.”

Another key moment came when San José’s choir invited all gathered to sing Ave Verum Corpus together.  For Saint Simon’s Alice Ng, this was another one of the more moving moments of the exchange. “It was like hearing angels proclaiming God’s love,” she said. “To me it was a moment of heaven on earth.” Daniel Leung of Saint Clare parish also reflected on the concert, “It was a lifetime experience to sing with Catholics from different countries.”  

An Exchange of Faith and Hospitality

Touching moments of hope extended far beyond the concert. For instance, the choir attended Sunday Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, where Cardinal Chow presided alongside Bishop Cantú. During Communion, Alice offered a heartfelt solo of “Amazing Grace.” Saint Simon’s Bruce Zimmer reflected that singing during the Mass in the cathedral was, for him, the “most memorable experience.”

Choir members also enjoyed the generosity of their international hosts. Stan Chow noted the world-class hospitality of the Cathedral of Hong Kong staff, who, in his words, showed how much they “truly appreciated our presence and our participation.” Everyone and their families enjoyed sumptuous feasts, special outings, and a tour to Macau. All choir members agreed that the Diocese of Hong Kong was unbelievably welcoming.

For some, the journey was also deeply personal. Huey Faustina Ho, a Saint William parishioner who grew up in Hong Kong, said the trip allowed her to experience the local Church in a new way. “I had never really encountered the faith or pilgrimage sites in Hong Kong and Macau,” she shared. “Learning about the Catholic history there strengthened my conviction that we are truly one big universal family.”

A Hope-filled praise in a Divided World

When Stan asked Cardinal Chow for his thoughts after the event, the Cardinal offered: “I really appreciated the outcome of the Jubilee Hymnal Exchange Concert.  The purpose of having choirs from the East and the West praising God together in their own languages and in English with the Jubilee Song at the end was a hope-filled praise of God in a divided world with damaging geo-political tensions.”

Tamami Honma perceived the experience as “so unifying in a way that’s hard to describe. We were all present in one room, but all over the planet at the same time.” Saint Clare’s Kenneth Chan felt the call to bring the experience home: “This made me think how we can channel this dedication to improve the quality of our music ministry and further augment our liturgies.”

Tamami also shared that, “the young musicians said they finally felt like real musicians, and that they now had a clearer sense of mission.” Stan recalled, “Our biggest fan was Bishop Cantú, who sat in the front row!”

Now home, the singers recognize that while they went to Hong Kong to sing, they returned transformed.  Each brought back a renewed appreciation for the power of sacred music, the vitality of the global Church, and a sense of what it means to walk together as one family in hope, guided by faith, and united in song.

The 12 Minute Program Performed by the Diocese of San José Choir

• “Amazing Grace” sung a cappella
• “Lord, Hear My Prayer,” a gospel hymn by Moses Hogan
• “The Yearning” by Craig Courtney, lyrics by Susan Bentall Boersma
• “Lead Me, Lord” by John Becker with flute and trumpet accompaniment
• “O God Beyond All Praising” lyrics by Michael Perry, set to a melody by Gustav Holst
• “Ave Verum Corpus,” a Eucharistic hymn, set to music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart