“Proclaim Christ Through Music,” Cardinal Sebastian Urges at Final RVA Mandarin Concert in Penang

Cardinal Sebastian Francis, Bishop of Penang, urged Chinese Catholics to proclaim Christ through music during the final concert of Radio Veritas Asia’s (RVA) Mandarin Service three-city tour in Malaysia.

The Aug. 2 concert in Penang marked the 50th anniversary of RVA’s Mandarin Service and the 12th anniversary of the Global Chinese Hymn Composition Contest. It brought together Chinese Catholic hymn composers and performers from Malaysia, Mainland China, and Taiwan, along with local Church groups.

Welcoming the participants, Cardinal Sebastian Francis said music can help tell the story of Jesus Christ, communicate the Gospel, and offer hope to the Church. He also highlighted the role of Chinese language and culture in expressing and communicating the Christian faith.

“Proclaim Christ through music,” Cardinal Sebastian Francis urged the participants, encouraging them to use their gifts to glorify God and serve the Church.

Referring to St. Cecilia, patron saint of sacred music, Cardinal Sebastian Francis encouraged composers and singers to follow her example by placing their musical gifts at the service of God and the Church.

He concluded by blessing the composers, singers, and participants, praying that the celebration would strengthen faith, foster communion, and contribute to the Church’s mission of evangelization.

The Penang concert was the third and final stop of the Malaysia tour, which ran from July 31 to Aug. 2. The program opened with a praise and worship session led by the youth of Holy Spirit Cathedral in Penang.

Past winners and participants of the Global Chinese Hymn Composition Contest then performed original hymns from Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Mainland China, and Taiwan. Through their music, they expressed faith, gratitude, trust, and love for God, while the audience joined in prayer and song.

The concert also highlighted the contribution of the Global Chinese Hymn Composition Contest over the past 12 years. The initiative, organized by RVA’s Mandarin Service, has encouraged Chinese-speaking Catholics to compose original sacred music, with many of the resulting hymns being used in parish liturgies, faith formation, and evangelization.

The Malaysia tour formed part of celebrations marking five decades of RVA’s Mandarin Service, which serves Chinese-speaking audiences through Catholic media.

Fr. Felmar Fiel, SVD, general manager of RVA; Fr. John Mi Shen, program director; and Fr. Francis Han, coordinator of the Mandarin Service, joined the composers, performers, and faithful at the Penang celebration.

The final concert highlighted the role of sacred music in connecting Chinese Catholic communities across geographical and cultural boundaries and supporting RVA’s mission of proclaiming the Gospel through media.