The Chinese Province of the Society of Jesus–which includes Macau, Hong Kong and Taiwan–was the second leg of Fr General Arturo Sosa’s recently concluded Asian trip. Over several days in Hong Kong, Fr General celebrated Mass, met with students, teachers and alumni from the two Jesuit-run schools (Wah Yan College Kowloon and Wah Yan College Hong Kong), encountered many collaborators from the various ministries of the Chinese Province, and visited Cardinal Tong, Bishop of Hong Kong. There was a dragon dance and dinners hosted by alumni, all amidst the growing tensions on the city streets where thousands marched in protest. The Superior General kept a frenetic pace, much like the vibrant place he was visiting.
Above the din of Hong Kong, the Jesuits have an oasis of serenity on Cheung Chau, a small island where there are no cars and no skyscrapers. Xavier House, set on a hill overlooking the water, is an Ignatian spirituality centre. In the 1950s, when the first Irish Jesuit missionaries came to Cheung Chau, it was a school. Today, Xavier House offers retreats and other activities. It was also the venue for the Major Superiors assembly of the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific, who were joined by the delegates, secretaries, coordinators and directors of work.
In between his appointments in the city, Fr General Sosa spent a few days at Xavier House with the JCAP group, where he gave a talk on assimilating the Universal Apostolic Preferences. The participants spent time in spiritual conversation in order to deepen their understanding of the preferences. Daily Masses were held in the beautiful chapel of Xavier House, which frames the view of sea and sky. Prayers were offered for Hong Kong’s political situation, and despite the turmoil, Xavier House was an oasis of peace and serenity in an otherwise chaotic world. A sign on the front door of Xavier House says Wish you finding God in all things. Indeed, the best reminder came from Fr General: “He is on the path with us”.
