(ANS – Rome) — In the “Good Night” on Tuesday 14 July, Fr William Matthews, SDB, General Councillor for the East Asia-Oceania Region, shared with the Salesians of the Sacred Heart Community his impressions of the Extraordinary Visitation he had just completed in the Mary Help of Christians Province in Hong Kong. He recalled that, in 1885, three years before his death, Don Bosco dreamt of travelling across many continents until he reached China to bring the love of Jesus to young people – a dream that only came true almost twenty years after his death.

The beginning of the Salesian mission in China

The first Salesian missionaries, led by Fr Louis Versiglia, arrived in Macao in 1906 to establish the Salesian mission in the country. Versiglia, together with Callistus Caravario, would later be martyred whilst courageously defending a group of young women. From there, the Salesian mission spread to Japan, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and many other parts of Asia, to the extent that the Hong Kong Province is considered the ‘Mother Province’ or, as Fr Matthews affectionately joked, the ‘Grandmother Province’ of all the Salesian missions in the East Asia-Oceania Region.

120 years of presence and the current situation

This year, the Hong Kong Province celebrates 120 years of Salesian presence, encompassing three territories: Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao. The Province’s current figures bear witness to its vitality: A Salesian Family that remains strong

• 74 Salesians, including 50 priests and 15 Salesian Brothers, present in eight communities (five in Hong Kong, one in Macao and two in Taiwan);
• Seven young Salesian Brothers in formation, on their way to the priesthood or religious life;
• 18 Salesian schools, which take in nearly 20,000 pupils each year.

The General Councillor also highlighted the strength of the Salesian Family within the province, particularly that of the former pupils, many of whom have made significant contributions to society after being educated in Salesian schools. According to Fr Matthews, this vitality is evident not only in the educational and pastoral works, but also in the enduring commitment of lay collaborators and members of the Salesian Family, who continue to bear witness to Don Bosco’s charism.

In concluding his message, the General Councillor invited the Salesian community to give thanks for the rich history of this province and to pray for new vocations, for the perseverance of the confreres, and for God’s continued blessing upon all those who carry forward Don Bosco’s dream in this part of the world.