Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Hong Kong (Agenzia Fides) – Priestly formation and evangelization remain commitments for any seminary, but especially for Holy Spirit Seminary, “the heart” of the Diocese of Hong Kong, which celebrates 60 years since its foundation. This was the affirmation made by Bishop John Tong, Bishop of Hong Kong, in his homily during the solemn Mass dedicated to the celebration on Sunday, May 30. According to the Kong Ko Bao (the Chinese version of the diocesan bulletin), "the good formation offered in the seminary is crucial for having good priests in the future.” Bishop Tong encouraged the whole community to support the formation of vocations. The Rector of the Holy Spirit Seminary, Father Benedict Lam, together with 40 diocesan and religious priests, concelebrated with the Bishop, praying for the seminary, for the diocese, and for vocations. Today, there are 4 students of theology, 6 of philosophy, and 3 in an orientation period, and 1 aspirant. The Seminary has adopted the method of sending seminarians to Rome to receive their first period of formation and carry out pastoral labor in the local churches.
According to the website of Holy Spirit Seminary, the first seminarians of Hong Kong date back to April 1841, when Msgr. Theodore Joset was the first Apostolic Prefect of Hong Kong, and two priests on behalf of Propaganda Fide brought 20 Chinese seminarians from Macao. The training was suspended because of war in 1941. According to indications from Propaganda Fide, in light of the situation on the mainland after 1949, the Interregional Seminary of South China was closed and the seat was transferred to the Diocese of Hong Kong, bringing about the foundation of Holy Spirit Seminary. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 31/05/2010)
