Cardinal Stephen Chow, S.J., called on the faithful to embrace personal transformation and unity as paths to global peace during a Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, marking the World Day of Peace this month.
Organized by the Diocesan Commission for Integral Human Development, the celebration was an occasion of prayer for victims of wars and conflicts and a reflection on humanity’s shared responsibility for peace, according to Sunday Examiner, the diocese’s official news service.
The 58th World Day of Peace, guided by Pope Francis’ message, focused on debt forgiveness and solidarity.
The pope highlighted humanity’s indebtedness to God and one another, urging compassion and collaboration across communities.
In his homily, he reminded the congregation, “Through baptism, our debts of sin are forgiven, and our identities are renewed as children of God.”
This renewal, he said, empowers believers to call God “Abba Father” and live as heirs to His kingdom.
The cardinal encouraged the faithful to reflect on the grace of God, as Mary did, and to pursue peace through personal transformation.
He suggested concrete actions such as practicing generosity, sharing to overcome selfishness, seeking and granting forgiveness, and fostering hope by working for a better world in collaboration with people of diverse backgrounds.
The message of transformation was brought to life by Alex Chang, secretary general of the Good Shepherd Renewal Ministry.
Chang shared his journey from being a death row prisoner to a man of faith, inspired by the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary.
Convicted of a serious crime, his death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment. During 26 years in prison, Chang encountered God’s love and forgiveness, enabling him to rebuild his life after his release in 2016.
Chang spoke of the difficulties he faced, including reconciling with his past and forgiving himself. With gratitude for God’s grace, he established a group to assist prisoners in reintegrating into society.
“I am thankful to God for allowing me to use my experiences to help others make better decisions and to guide volunteers in protecting themselves while showing love to those seeking repentance,” he said.
Chang’s ministry focuses on preventing recidivism and supporting those seeking redemption.
He expressed joy in seeing former inmates thrive, noting that none of those who participated in the integration program have reoffended.
He credited donors and staff for the ministry’s success and their role in helping former prisoners find a new path.
The event drew hundreds of attendees who shared concerns for victims of conflicts and natural disasters.
Little Sister Agnes Lai Fong of Jesus voiced sorrow over global political unrest and a plane crash in South Korea that deeply affected Korean sisters in her community.
Similarly, Rhea Azarraga from the Philippines shared her distress over natural disasters, including a volcanic eruption in her hometown in Negros Occidental, which blanketed the area in ash.
Despite the calamity, she expressed relief that her family was unharmed.
