By Fr. Carlos Cheung SDB

Hong Kong, China, 18 December 2023 -- On the first day of the Christmas Novena, Salesian Priests from different communities in Hong Kong and Macau Regions gathered in the parish Hall of Mary Help of Christians in St. Anthony’s for Priest-Salesian Day. Some candidates in the special formation for priesthood and Salesian Brothers also joined the gathering.

It was the first Priest-Salesian Day after the COVID-19 pandemic. The Delegate for Ongoing formation Fr. Carlos Cheung, S.D.B., organized this event. This year, the program included talks, sharing, prayer, and social time, and the invited speaker was Fr. Lanfranco Fedrigotti, S.D.B.

Fr. Lanfranco began his talk with an introduction to the letter of Fr. Ivo Coelho, the General Councillor for Formation, written and published in ACTS (Acts of the General Council of the Salesian Society of St. John Bosco) N.431, entitled “Living the Priesthood as Salesians in 2019”. He highlighted some points from the letter for recommendation, like “the consecrated identity of the Salesian Priests,” “Priests and Brothers all share in the priesthood of Christ”.

The second part of the input was based on the Letter to the Hebrews, the biblical scholar Fr. Lanfranco, led the participants through the main structures of the letter and helped them to have a snapshot of the Pauline's Theological reflections on Christ’s priesthood, to understand the root of priesthood in Christ the Chief and Royal Priest. The main duty of a priest is to share the joys and sorrows with people who are facing difficulties and to become one with them. This is the central idea of St. Paul in the book of Hebrews.

Lastly, reflections were led to the concrete examples of some heroic missionaries to China, who have faithfully lived out their priesthood either with blood or sweat. The life stories of saintly martyrs Sts. Luigi Versiglia and Callisto Caravario, the Servant of God Fr. Carlo Braga, and Fr. Nicosia Gaetano, continue offering inspiration through their daily sacrifices and encouragements to the Priest-Salesians until today.

The formation part concluded with the Eucharistic adoration and mid-day prayer. After the closing remarks delivered by the Provincial Fr Joseph Ng, all participants proceeded to the dining room of the Provincial House for lunch. The splendid diner and hospitality of the community creates a family spirit for confreres for bonding and relaxation.

The Salesian Priests’ Day was first held in 2017 and was first given by the Provincial then Fr. Lanfranco Fedrigotti the responsibility of organization to priests in quinquennium. The event occurs once every two years and is open to Salesian Brothers and candidates for priesthood to participate.

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