The value of Family and Faith in Hong Kong

The Minister General, Br Massimo Fusarelli, and Definitor General for Asia-Oceania, Br John Wong, visited the Franciscan Foundation of Blessed Gabriele Allegra in Hong Kong from Good Friday 29 March until Easter Monday 1 April 2024.

As part of this visit, Br Massimo and Br John met with the Foundation President Br Henry Woo and the Foundation Council, Bishop of Hong Kong Cardinal Stephen Chow SJ, members of the OFM Studium Biblicum in Hong Kong, Foundation members, and members of the Franciscan family in Hong Kong. 

The Minister General and Definitor General also participated in the Cantonese-language Good Friday Service of the Lord’s Passion at the Franciscan parish church of St Bonaventure in Kowloon that features inspirational and devotional artwork by the late Br Pierangelo Pagani, OFM.

On Holy Saturday evening, Br Massimo presided at the Easter Vigil for members of the Italian expatriate community at the Sacred Heart Chapel of the Canossian Mission on Hong Kong Island, together with Br John and Hong Kong Italian Community Chaplain Br Vicenzo Soffia.

The celebration of the Holy Mass of Easter Sunday Morning by the Minister General and Definitor General was on Lamma Island with the renewal of religious vows of Sr Mary Fides of Our Lady of Fatima on the occasion of her Golden Jubilee in the Order of St Clare. Attended by the OSC community of the Portiuncula Monastery of the Blessed Sacrament, Franciscan friars, migrant workers and residents of Lamma Island.

The sense of family within the fraternity of the Order and the faithful is very apparent. The 14 friars in Hong Kong run 1 parish and 5 schools, where there are 52 parishes and where more than half of the schools are Christian. This Easter alone, around 1400 adults were baptised in Hong Kong, including over 30 in our Franciscan parish.

It was clear throughout the visit that despite the many diverse challenges facing the friars and people of God in Hong Kong, the life and mission of the Order and the Church continues to be alive and active.