HONG KONG (SE): “I think many Hong Kong people have heard the French greeting “comment allez-vous?”—meaning how are you. But there are far more beautiful French expressions in our prayers,” said Father Nicolas de Francqueville, assistant parish priest of the Holy Redeemer Church, Tuen Mun, who organised a summer French course for beginners at the parish. The course was full two days after it was announced.
Father Francqueville said he scheduled the course at a relatively free time when there are no catechism classes and he hopes that some participants might be interested in joining the catechism class that starts in September.
The Paris Foreign Missions priest organised the first French course two years ago in Tuen Mun and was glad to see that some of the participants later joined the parish catechism class.
This year, a total of 15 non-believers signed up, together with 15 newly-baptised and catechists. “The newly-baptised can equip themselves for evangelisation through this course, while non-believers can learn about our faith through French culture,” Father Francqueville explained.
The French course started on July 13. It comprises six lessons of an hour and a half every week. Father Francqueville said prayers are included in every lesson and French words in the Hail Mary, the sign of the Cross and other prayers will be explained. A pilgrimage site in France will be introduced in every lesson so students learn about the Catholic culture of the country. They will also be taught daily usage and basic grammar.
Father Francqueville remembered that he had a good time with the students in the last lesson two years ago as he prepared French crêpes and wine for all. But he was unsure if he could offer students a treat this year due to the Covid-19 gathering restrictions.
The priest said that in the limited time of the six lessons, students can at least learn how to use greetings and introduce themselves in French.
A Spanish course is being held at St. Jerome’s Parish, Tin Shui Wai, from July to September.
Father Joachim Li Yongxin, is teaching a total of 30 students who signed up for adult as well as teen classes.
Hailing from mainland China, Father Li was ordained in 2006 and was once assigned to Chile to learn Spanish in an intensive three-month course. He engaged in missionary work for 13 years in Paraguay, where Spanish is the official language.
The Divine Word missionary said, “Spain is a Catholic country, so many expressions in Spanish are related to Catholicism. That’s why [King] Charles V who ruled Spain in ancient times said Spanish is the language [with which] to communicate with God.”
Father Li led participants in articulation and breathing exercises during the first lesson. He also explained words in the Lord’s Prayer, Hail Mary and other prayers.
“I expect participants to know how to recite the Lord’s Prayer after six lessons,” Father Li said.
He said that spoken Spanish is easier to learn, but the grammar requires some effort, one reason being that it has suffixes that change in different situations.
The course is free of charge and participants, in return, only need to recite the Lord’s Prayer and the Hail Mary, and pray for evangelisation.
