Hong Kong, China, 3 February 2024 -- It has been a decades-long tradition for the Salesian House of Studies to send invitations to the Holy Spirit Seminary, as well as to all the students and professors at the Holy Spirit Seminary College of Theology and Philosophy, to join the celebration of Don Bosco’s Feast Day each year. The joint celebration dates back to the days when the Salesians began to send their young confreres for joint formation with the Hong Kong Diocese and other religious communities. Initially, the college only admitted candidates for priesthood, but it later opened its doors to the laity, continuing up to this day. This year, the celebration was held on the Feast Day itself, as it fell on a Wednesday, the college's recess day.
The House opened after lunch, around 1:30 pm. Those who arrived early could tour the house. A soccer game kicked off at 3 pm in the field, and the Ping-Pong table was set up in Don Bosco’s corridor. At 5:15 pm, solemn vespers with Eucharistic adoration were held in the first-floor chapel, presided over by the Rector of SHS, Fr. Domingos Leong.
Dinner and festival activities followed immediately afterward in the hall on the ground floor. The Diocesan Seminarians, two Dominican Brothers, and a Jesuit Brother all took to the stage with their entertainment. Most Rev. Joseph HA Chi-shing, the Auxiliary Bishop of Hong Kong and rector of the Holy Spirit Seminary, also went up on the stage with his seminarians to sing the Latin hymn to Our Lady, 'Alma Redemptoris Mater.' Even His Eminence Cardinal Zen, compelled by great joy, participated with his trivia questions, and promised prizes, giving his recently published book 'Lenten Reflection' to each participant as a gift. Before the final photo-taking session, each participant received a keychain featuring figures of Don Bosco, Dominic Savio, or Mary Help of Christians from the Rector as a souvenir. Confreres from the Braga House were present for the prayer and dinner as well. The staff of the Salesian Youth Ministry Office and Social Communication Office were also invited to the celebration, and their presence and service added joy to the entire event.
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