Friday, 22 May 2026
Good morning. We are 2P. Today, we would like to share with you the meaning of a Chinese cultural festival, the Ching Ming Festival.
The Ching Ming Festival takes place in early April. The name “Ching Ming” means “Clear and Bright.” It describes the lovely spring season, when the sky is clearer, the air becomes fresher, and flowers begin to bloom. In the past, this was also an important time for farmers to begin their work in the fields. But today, Ching Ming is about much more than the changing weather. It is also about love, gratitude, and the way we remember and respect others.
If you walk around Hong Kong during Ching Ming, you will see something very meaningful. Many families spend the day together, bringing roasted pork, fruit, and flowers as they make their way up the hillsides to visit the graves of their loved ones. Although it is a busy day, it is also a peaceful one.
As families clean the graves, remove weeds, and make the area neat again, they often sit together and share stories. Parents may tell their children about grandparents or great-grandparents they never had the chance to meet: what kind of people they were, what work they did, or even the funny things they used to say. In this way, a quiet hillside is filled with warmth, love, and precious family memories.
During Ching Ming, we show that we do not forget our family members even after they have passed away. We remember them with love and thankfulness. We take care of their resting places because they will always have a place in our hearts. This tradition reminds us to be grateful to the people who gave us life and cared for us before we were even able to care for ourselves.
At first, some people may think Ching Ming is only about remembering the past. But if we look more deeply, we can see that it also teaches us an important lesson for the present. There is a famous Chinese saying: 慎終追遠，飲水思源, which means that we should remember those who came before us and be thankful for the source of our lives.
We are here today because of the love, sacrifices, and guidance of our parents, grandparents, and ancestors. When we learn to respect and remember them, we also learn how to be grateful for all that we have today. And when we practise respect in our families, it becomes easier to show respect to everyone around us. Respect is not only for special festivals. It is something we should show every day.
In our school, respect can be shown in many simple but meaningful ways. We show respect when we listen carefully to our teachers. We show respect when we help a classmate who is having difficulties. We show respect when we say a sincere “thank you” to the aunties, uncles, and staff who work hard to keep our school clean and safe. Respect means treating every person as valuable, because every person matters.
As a Catholic school, we can also see a connection between this festival and our faith. In the Fifth Commandment, God tells us to “Honour your father and your mother.” This reminds us to love, obey, and respect our parents and elders. Although Chinese tradition and Catholic teaching come from different backgrounds, they share a beautiful message: respect, gratitude, and love for others are essential in living a good and meaningful life.
By showing respect, we can make our homes, our school, and our community more “clear and bright,” just like the meaning of Ching Ming. When we speak kindly, act thoughtfully, and care for one another, we bring warmth and light to the people around us. Let us do our best to show love, gratitude, and respect, not only today, but every day.
2P
