By Fr. Carlos Cheung

       Hong Kong, China, 14 June 2022 -- Every year China Province follows the practice of the Rector Major and the General Council to celebrate the Salesian Spirituality Day for the Salesian Family of Hong Kong and Macau. This Spirituality Day led the Family members to reflect upon their Salesian Charismatic identity, and especially to study the Strenna of the year, so that we can keep the same pace with the global Salesian Family and move towards holiness. The event was held simultaneously in Hong Kong and Macau online on June 12.

       The meeting was presided over by the Province Ongoing Formation Confrere-in-Charge Fr Carlos Cheung. Firstly, Fr Matthew Chan, the Salesian Family Provincial Delegate, was invited to give a welcoming speech. Fr Matthew explained the spirituality and charity of St. Francis de Sales with four basic elements of understanding and way of living, namely understanding, emotion, intention and action.

       Then, Fr Antonio Leung, the Delegate of Youth Ministry, introduced the Strenna 2022 “Do all through love, nothing through constraint”, which will be the theme for China Province starting from September 2022 to August 2023, and the Pastoral theme for the schools. The Strenna is particularly commemorating the 400th death anniversary of St. Francis de Sales, the Patron of the Salesian Congregation. Fr Antonio integrated seven common characteristics of St Francis de Sales and Don Bosco. At the end of the presentation, Fr. Carlos also highlighted that there is a total connection for all members in the Salesian Family, with Don Bosco, and St. Francis de Sales as our patron, because “the Saint of kindness” spoke of young people. Therefore, the Salesian Preventive System is not just a pedagogical method; it is a lifestyle, that is, to put boys and girls in a way of being, of relating, of being with Jesus, which prevents them from following paths that could damage them.

       After that, each participant actively participated the discussion for the lines of act for their local communities according to the Strenna.

       Last but not least, during the final prayer participants reflected on the words of St Francis de Sales. We pray to the Lord that we too may follow St Francis de Sales to work diligently in our mission to the young with the same apostolic zeal.

       Fr Joseph Ng, the Provincial of China Province, reminded all Salesian Family members that love needs to be practiced and be made effective, not empty talk, but efforts should be made to make young people know that they are loved.

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