Catholic Social Tips
May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders Heritage Month. Did you know that there is a document that celebrates the Catholic diversity of the identity, generations, cultures and leadership of the Asian and Pacific Islander community? “Encountering Christ in Harmony: A Pastoral Response to Our Asian and Pacific Island Brothers and Sisters” can be found on the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops website and it is translated into English and Korean. Reading it would be a great way to honor the community during this month.
In Hawaii, according to recent American Community Survey data, 37% of the population is Asian and 10.5% is Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander. It is so important to share that the church sees you! In our Catholic faith tradition we have over 10,000 men and women who have been canonized saints.
There are many who have been martyred for the faith and are now saints for us to pray for their intercession with the many challenges we encounter in a world that doesn’t see you!
While we are familiar with many saints, those who represent our community are not always shared or represented. Here are some who you may not know are saints and some in line to be canonized who need your prayers to secure the miracle to be canonized:
- St. Pedro Calungsod
- St. Andrew Dung-Lac
- St. Mark Ji Tianxiang
- St. Anna Pak A-gi
- St. Vicente Liem de la Paz
- St. Lorenzo Ruiz
- St. Agnes Le Thi Thanh
- St. Paul Miki
- Blessed Nicholas Bunkerd Kitbamrung
- Blessed Isidore Ngei Ko Lat
- Blessed Justo Takayama Ukon
- Venerable Francis-Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan
- Venerable Satoko Kitahara
- Servant of God Takashi Nagai
- Servant of God Xu Guangqi
- Servant of God Teofilo Camomot
Hawaii has already borne the fruits of two saints who were not born on a Pacific island, but have been deemed Pacific Islander of heart. Sts. Damien de Veuster and Marianne Cope were canonized for their work with people afflicted with Hansen’s disease in Kalaupapa. This month we celebrate St. Damien’s feast day on May 10.
One of the ways being pursued to honor Damien and Marianne is the establishment of the Damien and Marianne of Molokai Education Center in Waikiki. To learn more, visit damienandmarianne.org. Another way to learn more is through the Damien and Marianne Catholic Conference webinar series. Read more at www.dmcchawaii.org.
Offer a prayer for harmony in our church that is inclusive of our rich culture and history. Here is one from the USCCB:
“God of all harmony and source of our faith, loving Father who chose us to be your own and formed us together as one family in Christ, send forth your Spirit among us.
“May our encounters with Christ, your Son, through the Scriptures and the breaking of the bread remind us of our identity in Christ amid the multitude of cultural heritages present in your Church today.
“May our encounters with the Blessed Virgin Mary and with the communion of saints, strengthen us so that we may sustain and pass down the Catholic faith of our ancestors and elders from one generation to the next.
“May our encounters with one another, in our families and parishes, nurture more leaders among us, that they may answer your call more readily, and look to Christ, our Savior, as the example of humble service.
“Enliven our hearts this day and always, so that, going forth into the world, we may become better servants of your Word and bearers of your love for all to see.
“We ask this through our Lord, Jesus Christ, who strengthens us in faith, and in the power of the Holy Spirit, who binds us together in love and harmony, one God, forever and ever. Amen.” (USCCB 2018)
Sherry Hayes-Peirce is a Catholic social media consultant based in Southern California.
