HONG KONG (SE): The Hong Kong-Macau district of the China Province of the Society of the Divine Word [SVD] gathered at Christ the King Chapel, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, on September 7 to mark the 150th anniversary of the congregation’s founding on 8 September 1875, by St. Arnold Janssen in Steyl, the Netherlands.
The event began with a solemn Eucharistic celebration bringing together clergy, religious, and lay faithful in thanksgiving for a century and a half of missionary witness across the world.
Clergy, religious, and lay faithful gathered at Christ the King Chapel, Causeway Bay, to give thanks for a century and a half missionary and to honour the congregation’s legacy of giving witness across the world.
The Mass was presided over by Cardinal Stephen Chow, S.J., bishop of Hong Kong. Concelebrating with him were two of his predecessors, John Cardinal Tong Hon and Joseph Cardinal Zen Ze-kiun, together with Divine Word Father Johnson Dhos, regional superior of Hong Kong and Macau; Monsignor José Luis Díaz-Mariblanca Sánchez, head of the Holy See Study Mission in Hong Kong; Father Peter Choy Wai-man, vicar general; and Father Joseph Yim Tak-lung, chief executive of Caritas–Hong Kong.
They were joined by SVD priests, clergy of the diocese, religious sisters from many congregations, and a large congregation that filled the chapel to capacity.
The anniversary celebrations, deeply rooted in thanksgiving, highlighted not only the congregation’s global reach but also its close partnership with the local Church. In the words of Father Johnson: “From everywhere, for everyone—that is the light we are called to bear.”
‘Experts in inculturation’
In his homily, Cardinal Stephen drew inspiration from the late Pope Francis’ message to the SVD’s most recent General Chapter, which elected Father Anselmo Ricardo Ribeiro as superior general.
Pope Francis had urged the missionaries of the Divine Word to be “champions of peace and hope in a world scarred by conflicts, destructive ideologies, and wounded hearts.”
He had also praised them as “experts in inculturation,” a gift that enables them to embody the gospel in diverse cultures.
Cardinal Stephen reflected that this invitation remains vital for missionaries today. He reminded the congregation that without attentiveness to the Holy Spirit, “our spirit will be weighed down by worldly and secular affairs.”
Missionaries, and indeed all Christians, must open their minds and hearts to the Spirit of God, he said, in order to live in true freedom—untied by “godless mindsets or rigid religious ideologies.”
Reflecting on the Sunday Gospel, the cardinal noted how large crowds followed Jesus, many of them motivated by personal interests or desires for privilege. He pointed to the mother of James and John, who sought special places of honour for her sons, as an example of how discipleship can be misunderstood.
True following of Christ, he emphasised, demands fidelity in the face of trials, including the vows of obedience, chastity, and poverty, which are “easier said than lived.”
Yet, he added, “living out the evangelical counsels is the best testimony of our vocation, not only for ourselves but also for our lay partners, particularly for the young.”
A radical call from St. Paul
Preaching in Chinese, Cardinal Stephen turned to the Second Reading, from the Letter of St. Paul to Philemon. He underlined Paul’s appeal that Philemon receive back his runaway slave Onesimus, “no longer as a slave but as a beloved brother in Christ.” In the culture of that time, this was revolutionary, a challenge to the very structures of society.
For Christians today, especially for religious communities, the message is clear, the Cardinal said: “There should be no division of rank, class, or domination among us. We are all brothers and sisters, nourished by the same Bread of Life, and entrusted with the one mission of Christ.”
The question is not whether tensions exist, but how they are addressed. “In today’s culture of competition and individualism, the Church needs credible witnesses of communion—communities that walk together, deliberate together, and work hand in hand,” the cardinal said.
Words of gratitude
At the end of Mass, Father Johnson delivered words of thanksgiving on behalf of the Hong Kong-Macau district. Thanking the cardinals, the clergy, religious, and lay faithful, he offered heartfelt gratitude for the support of the Diocese of Hong Kong.
“We gather as one family in faith to thank Almighty God for 150 years of grace bestowed upon the Society of the Divine Word,” he said. The jubilee, celebrated under the theme, “Witnessing to the Light: From Everywhere, for Everyone,” reflects the missionary charism of the congregation, which has sent priests and brothers to cultures around the world.
Father Johnson recounted the humble beginnings of the SVD on 8 September 1875, the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Founder Arnold Janssen’s words, “Only God knows if this will succeed. If it succeeds, we thank God for his grace. If it fails, we acknowledge we are unworthy,” expressed the radical trust on which the mission was founded. “From that moment of poverty and uncertainty,” he said, “a global mission was born.”
A mission in Hong Kong
The SVD’s presence in Hong Kong began 75 years ago, a partnership that Father Johnson described as a “cherished and enduring relationship in faith.” He offered special thanks to the late John Baptist Cardinal Wu Cheng-chung, Cardinal Zen, Cardinal Tong, the late Bishop Michael Yeung, and Cardinal Chow for their encouragement and support across the decades.
He recalled with pride the SVD’s 55-year commitment at Sing Yin Secondary School, where generations of students have been formed in faith and values. The congregation has also served in Hong Kong parishes for nearly three decades, walking alongside migrant communities from the Philippines, Vietnam, and Indonesia, and offering pastoral care to seafarers—“the often-unsung heroes,” Father Dhos noted.
“Our story in Hong Kong is one of collaboration, of walking side by side with the local Church,” he said.
Looking forward with hope
Turning to the future, Father Johnson asked for continued prayers for the SVD worldwide. He urged prayers for more local vocations, as Hong Kong has only one Divine Word priest, Father Robert Wong, and he expressed profound gratitude for the divine guidance and generous benefactors that make their missions possible. He entrusted their mission to Mary, whose nativity coincides with the founding of the Society.
As a token of gratitude, commemorative medals were distributed to participants, depicting the SVD founder, St. Arnold Janssen, and missionary, St. Joseph Freinademetz, with the words, “Come, Holy Spirit, the Word became flesh.”
Joyful fellowship
Following the Eucharistic celebration, a felicitation and tea reception were held in St. Paul’s school grounds. The gathering featured cultural performances by Sing Yin School students and migrant communities from the Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam, a living symbol of the SVD’s mission to bring together people of many nations under the light of Christ.
