Mid-Autumn Festival
The Mid-Autumn Festival organized by the Mandarin Apostolate group, was held at Sts. Chastan and Imbert on the 23rd of September at 7.30 pm. Around 150 parishioners participated in the event. There were many activities lined up for them including sing along led by Mandarin choir, lantern making competition from recycled items and bible quiz. Those gathered also went around SCIC carrying lanterns.
The event began with the speech by Elizabeth Ng, Chairperson of the Chinese Apostolate. She said that this festival was to remind us of the verse in the bible, Genesis 1: 16-18 that “God made two great lights: a greater light to rule the day; and a lesser light to rule the night and the stars”. For us, “we shall seek God as our true light” she said. She explained that the festival is traditionally held in the second month of autumn during harvest. It is also recognized as ‘Harvest of Thanksgiving’. Family members congregate to offer thanksgiving. The round shape of the moon cake symbolizes continuity in the family and the filling the joy of life. Mooncakes are offered to relatives to wish them well. She said that it was for same reason that they are gathered together as one big family. She thanked everyone for making it a successful event.
Fr. Louis Loi in his opening speech explained that the Chinese people value family unions and make it a point to have everyone together during gatherings- in spring they celebrate Chinese New Year, in summer it is boat racing and in winter it is the solstice festival with colourful dessert. He said that as a family of Christ it is good to see many gathered to learn the Chinese culture. Fr. Louis then said the opening prayer and blessed the food.
The Mandarin youth Wong Yi Fei shared the following tale of the Mid-Autumn Festival: in ancient times, ten suns existed and the extreme heat made people’s lives very difficult. It was the hero Hou Yi, who owing to his great strength, shot down nine suns. Hearing of this feat, people came to learn from him. He then married a beautiful woman named Chang E and lived happily. Then one day, he met the queen of heaven (Wangmu) and she gave him a potion that could make him a God and ascend into heaven. However, Hou Yi gave to his wife for safe keeping. Peng Meng an immoral person, got to know about it and demanded that Chang E gave him the potion during the absence of Hou Yi. Chang Yi instead of giving it to him swallowed the potion herself. . She was immediately sent afloat towards the heavens but because of her great love for her husband she landed on the moon (nearest to the earth) and stayed there. Hou Yi having heard this was devastated and offered her delicacies on an altar set for her. Since then people began to do the same and made offerings to the moon.
Fr. Dom said the final prayer and blessed all gathered there. He prayed that they “be the light of Christ” and gave away prizes for the lantern making competition. Lantern winners were determined thru voting process. Each attendees were given one vote. PPC chairperson, Mr. Stephen Chin gave away prizes for the quiz.
Prize giving ceremony