For centuries, the Catholic Church has set aside the entire month of May to honour Mary, Mother of God. This May, the Macao Catholic Culture Association will organize a series of “Ave Maria” Catholic cultural activities, including an art exhibition, handicraft workshops, and a sacred vocal recital, providing the cultural lovers in Macao a unique opportunity to learn more about the Catholic “Month of Mary” this May through art and beauty.
Ave Maria Activities Series
The Litaniae Lauretanae Art Exhibition will be held from May 6 to 31, 2023 at the Macau Catholic Culture Association (ACCM, Rua Formosa No. 2B, R/C, Macau). The Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Litaniae Lauretanae), is one of the most revered ancient prayers of the Church to honour the Blessed Virgin Mary. Based on the different titles of the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary, this exhibition showcases the precious Marian art collections of the Catholic Diocese of Macau, including the most ancient 16th-century oil paintings, revealing the true meaning behind these Marian titles through art and beauty.
In addition, ACCM will also hold four handicraft workshops. On May 20, 2023, “Ave Maria Garden”, a Catholic charity organisation in Hong Kong, will be holding two “Ave Maria Garden Workshops” which will teach the participants to prepare their very own Ave Maria Garden, utilising silk flowers, through which they can understand better the true meaning of the Month of Mary. On May 27, 2023, two “Rosary Workshops” will be guided by Ms Miranda Ho, an experienced instructor in rosary making, who will teach the participants how to make a rosary using Jerusalem olive wood. The participants will also learn the true meaning of rosary praying.
The grand finale of the series, “A Mystical Rose” Sacred Music Recital, will be held from 3pm to 4pm on May 28, 2023 at the St Joseph’s Seminary Church (Entrance at Rua do Seminário). The concert features various Marian hymns, performed by Macao local young artists, Wai Hang Vivian Ng (Soprano) and Sam In Lao (Organ), honouring the Blessed Virgin Mary and praising God through music. The highlight of the concert will be the world premiere of Stabat Mater Dolorosa, composed especially for “A Mystical Rose” Sacred Music Recital by Dr. Viola Yuen, Council Member of the Hong Kong Composers' Guild and Resident Composer of the St. Pius X Music Academy in Macao.
