Joint Passover Supper In Him rejoicing: the Lord is near

At the close of the Joint Passover Supper, all present sing together the Taizé chant ‛In the Lord’

In order to foster the spirit of ecumenism and reinforced friendship between Anglican and Roman Catholic faithful, the International Anglican–Roman Catholic Commission for Unity and Mission (IARCCUM) held a Joint Passover Supper on the evening of 20 March at HKSKH Holy Trinity Cathedral. The celebration was presided over by Cardinal Stephen Chow, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong, and was attended by more than 220 Catholic and Anglican clergy and lay people, who gathered to recall together the story of the Passover.

The Revd Lee Kwok Kuen, a member of the Commission for Unity and Mission, served as leader of the gathering. At the beginning he explained the significance of the Passover supper for Christians, noting that the Last Supper which Jesus ate with his disciples in Jerusalem was in fact the Passover, one of the most important festivals of Israel. The deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt took place in the context of this festival and thus acquired a salvific, historical meaning, becoming a yearly celebration in which Israel remembers God’s saving act and the gift of freedom.

Within the setting of the Passover supper, Jesus revealed the deepest meaning contained in that meal: he himself became the Lamb of the New Covenant, bringing to completion God’s work of redeeming the world. For Christians, Passover therefore has a threefold significance:

1.    The saving act of the Exodus from Egypt.
2.   The paschal mystery of Christ’s passion, death and resurrection.
3.   The participation of Christians in the paschal mystery of Jesus.

Each item of food at the Passover supper carries its own symbolic meaning

The Revd Lee reminded those present that a Passover supper is not a liturgy and must never replace the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, nor be celebrated at the same time as the sacrament. Rather, it is a gathering which seeks to deepen the spirit of communion within the community.

The meal for this Passover supper was provided by Caritas Food and Beverage Service, while the Taizé Choir helped to lead participants in the singing of Taizé chants.

This year more than 220 clergy and faithful took part in the Joint Passover Supper