Neurologist Dr Philip Fung Hon Chung was one of three Jesuits ordained to the priesthood, along with one scholastic ordained to the diaconate, on 24 June at the Holy Family Church in Taipei. He was born in Hong Kong and received his education in Jesuit schools from a young age. He came to Taiwan in 1990 to study medicine and eventually settled there. After joining the Society of Jesus in 2015, he was sent to the Philippines for First Studies and later served at Ricci Social Services in Macau for Regency. He graduated from Fu Jen Catholic University with a degree in theology in 2019. Currently, he is pursuing a licentiate degree in moral theology at Boston College, and a master’s degree in clinical ethics at Georgetown University in the United States.
Fr Fung generously answered seven questions about his vocation journey, current feelings, and hopes for the future.
What kind of Jesuit do you aspire to be?
When St Ignatius and his companions considered establishing the Society of Jesus, they felt that they were a group of friends gathering together because of Jesus. Therefore, they called themselves “Compañía de Jesús” (Company of Jesus), and their mission was to dedicate themselves to the work of the Lord. This reminds me of what Jesus said: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). Through God’s grace, I hope that by serving our brothers and sisters in need, I can become a Jesuit who is selfless and dedicated to Jesus, not concerned with personal gains or losses.
Among the three vows of poverty, obedience, and chastity, which one is the most challenging? How do you overcome it?
The three vows of consecrated (religious) life are God’s grace to those whom He has called, and they are our response to that grace. Through living out these vows, I can have greater freedom in relating to others and fulfilling the mission I am assigned. In reality, regardless of our way of life, the essence of these vows helps us better live out God’s call for each individual. If I encounter weakness in my life, I believe I must rely on faith and grace from God, as well as the support of the religious community, family, and friends, to bring myself back to the initial commitment. After all, it is a commitment of love between God and me.
What I particularly perceive is that the consecrated life is a way of life that God invites me to live out of love, rather than focusing on the difficulties it may bring. It is worth mentioning that the Jesuits have a special fourth vow, “to go wherever the Pope may send them for the salvation of souls, without any exception.” This is a unique calling for Jesuits, and I believe it will further enable me to serve those in need with greater freedom in the future.
What difficulties and challenges have you encountered in your formation in the Society of Jesus, and how did you overcome them?
My formation is still ongoing, but looking back at the various stages I have gone through, the Initial Formation (the first stage of formal Jesuit formation) left a deep impression on me. During that stage, we were invited to embark on a pilgrimage without any money. Throughout the journey, we carried only simple clothing, a water bottle, and eco-friendly utensils. Along the way, two brothers and I relied solely on the care and support of benefactors for our food and shelter. As I did not understand the local language, I had to rely entirely on the food obtained through begging from fellow pilgrims to satisfy my hunger. Those days were challenging, and I felt utterly helpless, burdening my friends. This challenge taught me to wholeheartedly rely on God and trust in the care of my brothers. Looking back now, although the process was difficult, it was also filled with joy. Despite the language barrier, I expressed my gratitude to the benefactors through gestures and drawings, which truly helped me experience the joys and hardships of a missionary.
Who are one or two people who have influenced you in your religious life? What have you learned from them?
The most influential person in my religious life is undoubtedly Jesus Himself. Throughout the entire process, He has supported and encouraged me through different individuals. Sometimes, He shows His love and companionship through the presence of my fellow brothers. Bishop Stephen Chow of Hong Kong Diocese patiently accompanied me from the early discernment stages of my vocation (you can listen to my online interview in Chinese for more details). At times, God also reveals His love and presence through the friends I accompany, affirming my own vocation. Through this journey, I have deeply learned that God has a beautiful plan for each one of us, and with an open heart, I can accompany others in finding God together.
What advice do you have for young people who are considering joining the Society of Jesus? What should they bring, and what should they not bring?
I believe that for all young people discerning their vocations, whether it be marriage, single life, or religious life, it is important to maintain a spirit of willingness to take risks and a desire to love oneself and others. Instead of initially focusing on becoming a Jesuit, priest, or nun, focus on building a deep friendship with God. Gradually, you will become more attuned to hearing God’s voice within your heart. With this deep friendship, you will be willing to take unexpected steps for Him, letting go of preconceived notions or ideas that were previously considered inevitable or impossible. Every step on the journey of vocation will be accompanied by sufficient grace to guide us forward.
What would you like to say to your family at this moment?
Because of love, my parents and family express concerns and worries about my decision to join the religious order and become a priest. However, what I would like to share with them is that in this journey of answering the call of the Lord, I have experienced the breadth, length, height, and depth of God’s love. Even if I were to combine all the love from the people who care about me in this world, it cannot compare to the love of God. And no matter how much I love my family, my love for them cannot be compared to God’s love for them. Therefore, I ask my family to trustingly place me in the hands of the Lord. Our merciful Heavenly Father will always take the best care of us! May the peace of the Lord be with everyone.
How do your personal qualities and talents (Talents) contribute to your future pastoral life?
The desire to deepen my relationship with God is a gift from Him. Being able to experience “God is love” in my life is a gift He has given me, and it has become the driving force behind how I live. Because of His love, I have direction, and I can understand how God invites me to live my pastoral life. I remember during the discernment of my vocation, in a prayer at Loyola (the place of St Ignatius’ conversion), I heard God calling me to “tell everyone how much He loves them”. Compared to my other qualities and professional knowledge, His love not only shapes who I am, but it is also the most important part of my life, enabling me to share this love with others. I believe this will be of the greatest help in my future pastoral life.
This article was originally published in Chinese on the website of the Chinese Province of the Society of Jesus.