On the occasion of the Feast of St. Anthony Mary Claret, Fr. Mathew Vattamattam, CMF, Superior General, invites the Congregation to rediscover the beauty of fraternity through the eyes of Christ. Drawing inspiration from Claret’s profound love for his missionaries, he offers a heartfelt reflection on gratitude, mutual appreciation, and the bonds that unite us in mission. As the Congregation prepares for the XXVII General Chapter, his message encourages every Claretian to look

On October 24, 2026, the Claret House community in Hong Kong gathered at Satin House to celebrate the feast day of Saint Anthony Claret alongside their dedicated lay collaborators. The Eucharistic celebration and fellowship were led by Fr. Jose Cherucaka, CMF, local superior, and Fr. Alberto Rossa, CMF, house econome. The community was also delighted to welcome Bro. Sid Ching, CMF, who joined the festivities during his visit.

TAI O, HONG KONG — Around 600 parishioners and visitors gathered at the Tai O Chapel on October 24 for an advance celebration of the Feast of St. Anthony Mary Claret, highlighted by a pastoral visit from Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing, OFM. The schedule was arranged ahead of the traditional feast day to accommodate Bishop Ha's availability to celebrate the special 5:00 p.m. Mass. Organized by chapel chaplain Fr. Jijo Ancheril, CMF, the gathering brought the vibrant rura

Missionaries, volunteers, and lay collaborators across East Asia have officially launched the Vocational Pastoral Ministry Course, an online formation program running from September 24 to November 10, 2026. Hosted by the Córdoba, Argentina-based Centro de Estudios Filosóficos y Teológicos (CEFyT), the course brings together participants from Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau to re-examine how the Church accompanies young people today. Facilitated by Fr. Ken Masuda, CMF—Cons

Fr. Jijo Kandamkulathy, CMF, Major Superior of the East Asia Delegation (EAD), has officially begun a canonical visitation to the Claretian community in Hong Kong, taking place from September 23 to 28, 2026. Far more than a routine administrative review, a canonical visit is an extraordinary act of governance rooted in universal and congregational law. Designed to deepen unity, direct mission goals, and foster fraternity, the visitation invites the Major Superior to step dire

Los Negrales, Madrid — The 10th English edition of the Forge Renewal Encounter commenced on September 20, 2026, at the Forge Center in Los Negrales, gathering 14 Claretian Missionaries from diverse international contexts—including Fr. Stephen Nang, CMF, representing the East Asia Delegation—for spiritual renewal, fraternity, and formation. Following an orientation led by Fr. Antony Bhyju Vincent, CMF, the community celebrated the Inaugural Eucharist on September 21. Fr. Antho

On September 14, 2026, the Claretian Aboriginal Pastoral Ministry gathered local lay leaders and aboriginal ministers at the Aboriginal Center chapel in Taiwan for a day of spiritual renewal, ongoing formation, and Holy Mass. Eucharistic Celebration & Ministry Formation Led by chaplain Fr. Arturo, CMF, the gathering brought together indigenous ministers and lay faithful to celebrate the Eucharist. Following Mass, Fr. Arturo facilitated a dedicated formation course designed to

TAISHAN, TAIWAN — The Claretian Missionaries of the East Asia Delegation successfully concluded the Canonical Visitation of the Barbastro Community from September 10–16, 2026. Led by Fr. Jijo Kandamkulathy, CMF, Delegation Superior, the visit served as an “extraordinary act of government serving to strengthen the bond of unity in the Congregation and to direct its life and mission toward its goal” (CC 128). The week-long canonical visit commenced at the Formation House in Tai

TUNG FOK, LANTAU ISLAND — Warmth, creativity, and community spirit illuminated Tung Fok on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, as lay volunteers and collaborators from the Tai O Chapel of Epiphany Parish (Mui Wo) gathered for a joyful celebration. Facilitated by Fr. Jojo Ancheril, CMF, the gathering featured an advance Mid-Autumn Festival lantern competition, showcasing handcrafted designs that symbolized hope and connection across Lantau Island. The festive event held special signif

TAI O, LANTAU ISLAND — From September 6 to 8, the Tai O Catholic community came together for a vibrant three-day celebration of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, led by priest-in-charge Fr. Jijo Ancheril, CMF. Day 1 (Sept 6): Cultural presentations and joyful dances kicked off the festivities. Day 2 (Sept 7): Prayerful reflection through Eucharistic Adoration, the Holy Rosary, and Mass. Day 3 (Sept 8): A joyful feast day celebration uniting the island community in fait

MACAU — On September 2, 2026, local clergy and seminarians gathered at St. Joseph’s Seminary Chapel for their monthly recollection, focusing on spiritual renewal amidst the rapidly growing influence of artificial intelligence. The gathering was attended by Bishop Stephen Lee, alongside 28 priests, 6 seminarians from the Dioceses of East Timor, and 2 seminarians from the Diocese of Macau. Fr. Jijo Kandamkulathy, CMF, led the spiritual reflection with a keynote address titled "

Article by Fr. JIjo Kandamkulathy, CMF The Case of Sewell Setzer III (Fourteen Years Old) Around October 2024, fourteen-year-old Sewell Setzer III from Orlando, Florida, slowly withdrew to himself. He retreated into his bedroom, his eyes fixed on the screen of his phone, captivated by a custom chatbot on Character.AI modeled after "Dany," a dragon-queen persona from Game of Thrones. What began as an adolescent curiosity devolved into a psychological trap. The algorithm—progra

How does a missionary know where to go, what to say, and when to act? The apostolic life is not a matter of human strategy alone. It requires discernment—the ability to recognize God's voice amidst the noise of the world, the demands of the mission, and the whispers of our own fears and ambitions. For our Father Claret, the Eucharist was not merely the destination of his preaching but the source of his guidance. This month, we ask for the grace to make the Eucharist the cente

AR - DE - EN - ES - FR - IT - PL - PT - VI - ZH_CN - ZH_TW MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE LEO XIV FOR THE 11th WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE CARE OF CREATION 2026 [1st of September 2026] [Multimedia] _______________________ “They shall beat their swords into plowsharesand their spears into pruning hooks” (Isaiah 2:4) Dear Brothers and Sisters, Our Lord Jesus Christ came so that we might have life and have it in abundance (cf. Jn 10:10). This gift of life lies at the

FUKUOKA, JAPAN — Young Catholics from across East Asia gathered at the Fukuoka Catholic Seminary from August 21–25 for the East Asia Delegation Claret Way. Under the guiding theme, "Rooted in Christ’s Love, We Rise with Courage," the five-day encounter brought together 26 youth delegates from Japan, Macau, and Taiwan, supported by eight dedicated facilitators. The gathering blended spiritual growth with active community building. Each morning began with energizing group exerc

KEELUNG, Taiwan — Keelung marked the 142nd anniversary of the Sino-French War with its annual memorial service at the French Cemetery, honoring the fallen soldiers and underscoring the harbor city’s long-standing tradition of cultural inclusivity. The ceremony remains a cornerstone of the historic Keelung Mid-Autumn (Ghost) Festival, serving as a rare international tribute embedded within local cultural festivities. Representatives from the French Office in Taipei attended th

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Catholic clergy gathered in Taiwan for their annual formation workshop focused on the integration of artificial intelligence in modern pastoral ministry and parish administration. Fr. Arturo, CMF, joined fellow priests, religious, and church leaders to explore how emerging digital technologies can support day-to-day church operations without compromising core pastoral values. The sessions focused on practical applications, including streamlined parish adminis

MUI WO, LANTAU ISLAND — A spirit of deep gratitude and joy swept through Epiphany Parish as parishioners gathered to celebrate the 51st birthday of their beloved parish priest, Fr. Ezakias Swamy, CMF. The milestone occasion united the diverse community in a heartfelt tribute to his dedicated shepherdship and spiritual guidance across the Lantau mission. The celebration began with a solemn Mass of Thanksgiving at Epiphany Church, where Fr. Ezakias expressed his profound apprec

TAI O, LANTAU ISLAND — Heartfelt laughter and vibrant community fellowship filled Our Lady of Perpetual Help Chapel on Thursday, August 6, 2026, as the Laughter Luminaries Association celebrated its 2nd Anniversary. Organised with warm dedication by Fr. Jojo Ancheril, CMF, the gathering brought together parishioners, locals, and visitors for an unforgettable evening of joy and unity. The milestone event kicked off with a packed registration and afternoon program, followed by

(L-R) Altar server, Fr. Arturo (Chilean based in Taiwan), Fr. Alberto (Argentinian based in Hong Kong), Fr. Julio (Mexican based in Japan), Fr. Ian (Macau), Fr. John, and Deacon Joseph HIRAKATA, JAPAN — August 3, 2026 — Hirakata Parish hosted a diverse congregation for its 9:00 AM Sunday Mass, welcoming concelebrants from across East Asia (Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and Japan) alongside local Japanese, Latin American, Filipino, and Chinese parishioners. The liturgy also brough