In Hong Kong last March 11, there was a one-day intensive conversation about the intellectual apostolate in China. Fr Nicolas Standaert, one of the “consultants” of the Chinese Province, was invited to propose questions for reflection and chair the meeting.

Basically, the group tried to help Fr Dan Ross, the coordinator for Higher Education, to refine the goals and strategies. Three companions who are engaged full-time in China were present, with Frs Lee Hua and Louis Gendron trying to learn as much as possible. The group agreed to produce documents like “Recommendations for Provincials sending men to China,” “Guidelines for your stay in the People’s Republic of China,” etc. They will try to connect together all the Jesuits (and some friends of the Society) who are involved in the field or are preparing for it. They tried to define the fields of research and teaching that are most important. They talked about young Jesuits, Chinese and not Chinese, and how to help them discern a possible vocation for the intellectual apostolate and how to prepare for it.

Fr John Lee Hua has been traveling a lot recently trying to do some awareness-raising in Korea and the U.S.A. with the hope also of raising the number of Jesuit volunteers for China. This summer he will travel to Vietnam and India with the same purpose.