Formands (Jesuits in formation) of the Chinese Province gathered at Xavier House, Cheung Chau, Hong Kong, for a three-day meeting. More than 15 formands from four regions of the Province attended in person, while several others joined the sessions online. The theme of the gathering was the Constitutions. The Province formation assistant invited Fr Hung Trung Pham SJ, from the USA Central and Southern (UCS) Province, to lead the keynote sessions. A graduate of the Universidad Pontificia Comillas in Spain, Fr Pham holds a doctorate in Ignatian Spirituality and is an expert on the Constitutions.
The gathering unfolded in two parts: pilgrimage and reflection. The brothers trekked to the Trappist Monastery of Our Lady of Joy on Lantau Island. Besides visiting the monastery, they joined the Cistercian monks in noon prayer and had lunch in the guest house. They also unexpectedly encountered friends from Taiwan who was conducting research at the monastery. A particularly grace-filled moment was the rare opportunity to visit the monastery’s private cemetery. The first day concluded in a spirit of deep gratitude and joy.
Following the pilgrimage, Fr Pham began his presentation, starting with the life experience of St Ignatius, moving to the conversion brought about by the Spiritual Exercises, and concluding with the Constitutions. Each session was followed by silent prayer, personal reflection, and spiritual conversation.
Though brief, the formands felt deep joy and nourished by the rich experience. For men who are often dispersed across different regions, this rare time of communion was a cherished gift of brotherhood. They left with a renewed awareness that the call to be a Jesuit is a unique grace. Moreover, Fr Pham’s insights helped the formands deepen their reflection on their personal lives, continuing to learn and grow within the formation process.
Below are reflections from three participants:
Scholastic Pius
Among the many striking images Fr Pham proposed, the image of the door resonated most with me. A door is held to the wall by hinges. If the hinges are too tight, the door cannot open. If the hinges are too loose, anyone can wander in and out, and the door loses its purpose. Only with the right tension, firm yet flexible, can it function properly.
As a regent, my mission is to be with and serve the marginalised, including those living with HIV and leprosy. In these encounters, I come to see myself as a door. I must remain open to listen to their life stories and be moved by their joys and sufferings. At the same time, I must also guard my heart, as St Ignatius taught, to avoid losing hope amidst the bitterness and injustice of reality. This balance is rooted in a close relationship with Christ. Through prayerful discernment, I learn when to be open and when to hold firm. I am grateful that God is shaping me through these experiences, even through my failures and weaknesses. I pray that with the grace of God, I may become more like a door that helps people walk closer to God.
Scholastic Stanis
Two moments have left my heart with a lasting sense of warmth. First, the simple joy of being with fellow formands. We sat together and shared the fruits of our recent lives, our studies, and the surprising graces as well as challenges we encountered on the mission. Though from very diverse backgrounds, we were still able to open to each other authentically because we are united in the Lord, and I clearly felt God’s grace and strength. He brought us together in the Society of Jesus, unites us through our Ignatian charism, and gives us the courage to move forward in mission. The sincere sharing, the union of hearts, and friendship in the Lord reminded me of the strength of the First Companions, who supported each other and journeyed together in mission.
Second, Fr Pham employed various images to help us understand both our formation and our own lives. In retracing St Ignatius’ life, he pointed out the core of our Jesuit identity—our Jesuit DNA, the very foundation of our being. Ignatius’s life was filled with ups and downs; yet, every experience was an integral part of his growth, a process of moving from being self-centred to God-centred. Looking back at my own journey through the lens of his life experience helped me see once again that every step I have taken and every trial I have undergone is no accident. Instead, they are steps in the upward growth of my spiritual life, with God’s providence and guidance present in each step.
Scholastic Martin
This gathering was a warm, uplifting, and introspective experience. For those of us studying in Hong Kong, having the opportunity to connect with brothers from other regions is precious and a great encouragement. Through Fr Pham’s thematic presentations, I gained a deeper sense of confirmation and appreciation for the beautiful work God has done throughout my own winding and stumbling vocational journey; this was the part of the gathering for which I am most grateful. Indeed, just as God led Ignatius step by step, His hand was remarkably clear even during those moments that once seemed obscure. When we learn to view ourselves through God’s eyes and in His timing, we discover that “in our personal complexity, there is clarity”.
