The winning Catholic schools that took part in the 2024 Admirabile Signum Nativity Competition were awarded during a prize-giving ceremony on Saturday at the Macao Catholic Culture Association (ACCM) office on Rua Formosa (美麗街), the association said in a statement on the same day.
“Admirabile signum”, as reported by the Post on January 11, 2023, is Latin for a “admirable sign”. It is the title of an Apostolic Letter by Pope Francis, dated December 1, 2019, on the meaning and importance of the nativity scene.
Aimed at promoting the Christmas tradition, the statement said that the competition had 16 Catholic schools participating, with Escola São Paulo emerging as the champion. It was presented with the Judges’ Award, while the first and second runner up were Colégio Diocesano de São José 5 and Escola da Sagrada Família respectively.
Escola Dom João Paulino, Escola de Santa Madalena, and Colégio Mateus Ricci took home Honourable Mentions, while the statement added that Colégio Diocesano de São José 6 garnered the Creative Theme Award. Instituto Salesiano, meanwhile, received the Best Environmental Award.
Moreover, Colégio de Santa Rosa de Lima – Chinese section received the Best Group Collaboration Award, while Escola São João de Brito – English section garnered the Internet Popularity Award after gaining 608 likes and loves out of 3,566 votes on Facebook from December 13 to 27.
Bishop Stephen Lee Bun-sang said in his speech during Saturday’s event he hoped that the contest would inspire schools to promote the message of Christmas love and peace. Lee also noted that this year marks the Jubilee Year of the Catholic Church – a period centred on the message of “hope,” filled with mercy and grace. He encouraged all to embrace the Jubilee Year’s values.
The statement said that the competition has “enjoyed enthusiastic participation” from local schools over the years. The 2025 edition will be expanded into an inter-school competition open to all local primary and secondary schools, according to the statement.
This photo provided by the Macao Catholic Culture Association (ACCM) shows Bishop Stephen Lee Bun-sang (3rd row, 7th from left), students from the Catholic schools that won awards in the recent 2024 Admirabile Signum Nativity Competition, along with other guests, posing for a group photo at the ACCM office on Rua Formosa (美麗街) on Saturday.
