Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Hong Kong (Agenzia Fides) - The Pontifical Institute of Foreign Missions (PIME) of Milano (Italy) celebrated its 150th anniversary of the mission in Hong Kong with a Mass, the unveiling of a “commemorative plaque” in the “PIME House” recalling the 207 missionaries that have worked in the area in these 150 years, a round table discussion, a conference, a family festival, and a special publication. According to Kong Ko Bao, the Chinese version of the diocesan bulletin, the PIME missionaries celebrated this important anniversary together with the diocese and the Catholics of Hong Kong. In fact, two PIME missionaries have been Bishops of Hong Kong: Bishop Enrico Valtorta and Bishop Lorenzo Bianchi.
Fr. Giovan Baptista Zanchi, Superior General of the PIME, sent a letter on the occasion to the PIME missionaries in the Hong Kong region. He wrote “in order to wish you my sincerest congratulations and share with you the joy of this celebration; join you in thanking the Lord and all those who have been of help to us and will continue to help is in our missionary efforts; and lastly, with the hope that this will serve as an encouragement to continue on, in your community’s future.”
On April 10, 1858, Fr. Paolo Reina, was the first PIME missionary to arrive to the island of Hong Kong, preparing the way for the other 206 PIME missionaries that would come over the following 150 years. Today, there are 30 missionaries working in the area of education, pastoral ministry, service to the poor, and evangelization... As Fr. Zanchi states at the end of his letter, “the 150th anniversary celebration of the presence of PIME in Hong Kong should not only be a cause for joy and thanksgiving, but it should also become a special opportunity to reflect on and strengthen the current commitments of your local community, that you may continue forward with a renewed spirit and adopt more adequate methods in facing the challenges of Hong Kong’s modern society.” (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 14/4/2008 righe 25, parole 330)
