Mandarin Service of Radio Veritas Asia marked its Golden Jubilee with a series of Sacred Music Concerts across Malaysia. The celebrations began on July 31st at the Church of St. Mary, Ayer Salak, in the Diocese of Malacca, continued August 1st at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre in the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur, and culminated in an uplifting finale on Sunday, August 2, 2026, at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Penang. Filled to capacity, the concert organized by Radio Veritas Asia (RVA) Mandarin Service in Manila and co-organized in Penang by the Penang Island Deanery Chinese Apostolate, welcomed Mandarin-speaking communities and sacred-music enthusiasts from diverse backgrounds for a joyful evening of faith proclaimed through song.
His Eminence Cardinal Sebastian Francis, Bishop of Penang, opened the celebration with prayer and a warm, heartfelt address. Invoking the blessing of St. Cecilia, patron saint of singers, musicians and choirs, he recalled that she “sang in her heart to the Lord.” Cardinal Sebastian reminded the faithful that sacred music is not merely a performance, but a proclamation that tells the story of Jesus. He congratulated RVA for its unwavering commitment to nurturing original Mandarin sacred compositions that uplift the heart and glorify God. He also welcomed performers from Taiwan, Kuala Lumpur and Penang, extending a special greeting to those from mainland China and giving thanks and praise to God for the Catholic faithful in Mainland China.
The Golden Jubilee celebration also commemorated the 12th anniversary of the Veritas Cup Global Chinese Hymn Composition Contest: an initiative established 14 years ago to nurture creativity and celebrate original Chinese sacred music. The Penang concert showcased newly composed hymns and sacred works performed by distinguished composers and musicians. Through every melody, the Gospel came alive, echoing the joy, hope and devotion at the heart of Christian life.
The evening brought together RVA leaders, musicians, singers and Catholic communities from across Asia. Among the distinguished guests were Rev. Fr. Feil Felmar SVD, General Manager of RVA; Rev. Fr. John Mi Shen, Executive Secretary of the FABC Office of Social Communication and Project Director of RVA; and Rev. Fr. Francis Han, Coordinator of RVA’s Mandarin Service. The celebration also welcomed singers and musicians from Taiwan, Kuala Lumpur, Mainland China and Penang, as well as representatives of the Penang Chinese Catholic Community and Performers from Penang Chinese Catholic Community and Penang Island Deanery Mandarin Apostolate. Cardinal Sebastian also expressed his appreciation to Rev. Fr. Raymund Raj, parish priest of the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit (CHS), and to CHS Mandarin Apostolate for their support.
Edwin Chong served as master of ceremonies for the evening. The concert began with spirited praise and worship led by CHS Youth Penang, followed by performances from Philip Ng of Penang; Lu Dan Yan of Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Xiao Jia Wen of Kuala Lumpur; Liu Xia of Wuhan, China; Geliya Band of Wenzhou, China; Jaron Khor and Albert Loh of Penang; Chen Xiao Yang of Wenzhou, China; Su Xing Band of Kuala Lumpur; and Chen Mingbo of Taipei, Taiwan.
For fifty years, Radio Veritas Asia has been a beacon of multilingual Catholic broadcasting across Asia. Its Mandarin Service has reached Chinese-speaking communities throughout the region and beyond through radio, digital platforms and new-media initiatives. Across these channels, the service has accompanied listeners on their spiritual journeys while fostering communication and collaboration among Churches throughout Asia.
The concerts celebrated fifty years of evangelization by RVA’s Mandarin Service while inviting reflection on the future of Chinese-language pastoral communication and faith formation in Asia. As RVA enters its next chapter, it does so with renewed dedication to its mission. The spiritual needs of millions of Catholics, especially those who yearn for the Gospel where access remains limited—continue to inspire and guide its work. The Golden Jubilee stands as 50-years of a testament to faith shared, music offered and hope carried forward.
From the bottom of our hearts, “Thank you Mandarin Service of Radio Veritas Asia.
By Christopher Kushi
Photo Credits: Felix Lam
