ASIA/HONG KONG - An initiative for the Year of Saint Paul: his conversion and missionary travels illustrated in paintings by 30 students (including non-Catholics)

Hong Kong (Agenzia Fides) – An art exhibit entitled: “The missionary travels of Saint Paul depicted by a child paintbrush,” located in the parish hall of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in the Diocese of Hong Kong, will be open to visitors until June 28. The initiative forms part of the celebrations taking place for the Year of Saint Paul in the parish. According to the Kong Ko Bao (the Chinese version of the diocesan bulletin), the parish felt inspired by the Pauline spirit to invite two schools in the area to participate in the initiative. Thus, over 30 students (Catholics and non alike) from the Hong Kong Tang King Po College founded by Salesians in 1965 and the St. Francis' Canossian College founded by Italian Canossians in 1869 participated in painting 10 drawings depicting the conversion of St. Paul and his three most important trips. During the project's making, which began last November, the priests offered their suggestions and explanations on the story of St. Paul. Thus, the children were able to learn more about the Catholic and missionary meaning of St. Paul's life, using their youthful imagination. According to the exhibit's organizers, “over half of the students are non-Christians, however they have learned about the Christian faith through their paintbrushes.” (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 16/2/2009)