Taiwan celebrates month of Mary by promoting solidarity initiatives

VATICAN CITY-During the month of Mary (May in the calendar of the Roman Catholic Church), Taiwan promoted solidarity through its Embassy to the Holy See, by providing support for vulnerable youth in Rome, over 1,000 students in the Congo, and a Marian donation to the Pontifical International Marian Academy.

 The first action involved donating digital equipment to vulnerable young women hosted by the Institute of Santa Cecilia in Rome which is run by the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. With the purpose of fostering digital inclusion and broadening the educational opportunities of girls with vulnerable backgrounds.

 Founded by Saint John Bosco, the institute offers an educational and family environment for minors in difficulty and helps them toward a path toward personal independence. The Sisters expressed their gratitude to Tawan. Ambassador Anthony Chung-Yi Ho and Mrs. Ho presented the sisters with roses ahead of this Mother’s Day as an expression of recognition for their daily service alongside the young women.

 The second initiative was implemented in partnership with the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (CICM-Scheut Missionaries). They donated computers, printers and accessories to Schools in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The two schools that received the donations were Per Mpiana School Complex in Kinshasa and the Grupo Scholar Wansa Widi in Boma. They will benefit from the program which also offers training for both teachers and their 1,200 students.

 “Taiwan’s humanitarian assistance is a proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus to the people of DRC” said Father Charles Phukuta Khonde, Superior General of the CICM. “Taiwan is an important partner of the Catholic Church in humanitarian assistance.”

 The third initiative involved combining solidarity with cultural expression at the Pontifical International Marian Academy, (PAMI) on May 28. The embassy donated a sculpture of the Virgin Mary crafted by Taiwanese artist Lo Kuang-Wei made up of Sea Salt from Taiwan. The sculpture was part of the “Love and Peace Special Exhibition” organized by the Embassy for the 2025 Jubilee.

 Father Stefano Cecchin, President of PAMI welcomed the gift. “This gift points to the fact that Mary is a universal woman. I have been to Taiwan, to the shrine where Mary appeared to 11 Taoists, non-Christians, precisely to show this fundamental reality: that Mary unites. Just as the Taiwanese people are a gentle, generous people who can become an image of universal peace.”

 Ambassador Ho added, “the spirit of Our Lady beautifully reflects the spirit of ‘Taiwan Can Help’-Taiwan’s willingness and actions to spread love in the world.”

 "Taiwan is a force for good in international society. Our Embassy, on behalf of Taiwan, will continue to strengthen its partnership with the Holy See, the Catholic Churches, and affiliated organizations, to advance humanitarian assistance and create more opportunities for our neediest brothers and sisters, in response to the Holy Father’s call for peace and justice in the world," concluded Ambassador Anthony Chung-Yi Ho.