My arrival in Hong Kong happened over 50 years ago. My first trip took two whole days from Madrid via London, with a technical stop in the Middle East and an overnight transit in Bangkok. Eventually, I arrived in Hong Kong on the third day of the Lunar New Year of 1972.
These are technicalities. Why did I come to Hong Kong and dedicate most of my life to working here? Does my desire to be a priest have anything to do with being in Hong Kong?
When asked why I became a priest, I remember how my family background significantly impacted my vocation and discernment.
At the age of nine, I entered the “apostolic school,” our minor seminary. My parents and family influenced my decision, but at the same time, this was against their will since I was too young. My mother reminded me several times of her crying when children in the village returned from school. Unlike other parents who would wait for their children to return home after school, she could not have us by her side because my brother and I joined the seminary. My elder brother was a first-year student at the diocesan seminary when I joined the Dominican school.
We are a family of 11 siblings. Our parents were happy with our decisions for our way of life. I was ordained a priest, while my elder brother discontinued seminary formation after completing philosophy studies.
My decision to come to Hong Kong was partially coincidental with the suggestion from my superiors. While a philosophy and theology student, I had been involved in the work with children in some poor neighbourhoods around our convent. I liked working with young people and organising activities with them. I was told that in Hong Kong, we had a school where I could continue working in the field that interested me. Honestly, I knew almost nothing about Hong Kong when I came, but I was ready for any surprises and willing to accept any challenges.
My ordination to the priesthood took place in Hong Kong a few months after my arrival. I felt sorry that my parents and family could not join me on that occasion as it was a momentous occasion for the whole family too.
I have been happy since the first day of my arrival in Hong Kong. Although I missed my large family, I felt at home among my co-friars. My elder brother advised me the day before I left Spain to write frequently to my parents as it would be comforting for them. This advice stuck with me for many years until advancing technologies made the beautiful custom of letter writing obsolete. Since my handwriting is illegible, I used to type long letters after my daily schoolwork. It was my way of communicating with my parents and family, which I did more than once a week. My mother kept those long letters for many years. My father also wrote back frequently. Communication worked well even without telephone calls since it was too expensive at the time.
My work in Hong Kong has been confined mainly to the Rosary Hill School. My first task was learning English to get involved in basic jobs at the school. I studied both English and Cantonese. After studying Cantonese for several years and having a good command of it, I regretfully put it aside because of schoolwork. I also attended courses in two different years in England to equip myself for the mission at school. I got involved in various activities at school. Although I have no regrets, I could have done something different, or I could have done better in some particular aspects. I tried my best according to the requirements and expectations of the moment.
On top of that, I’ve also shared the responsibilities of being a Catholic institution in the school administration. I have dedicated time on Sundays to help in different places, attending to the needs of people who have called on us.
I am grateful to have come to Hong Kong 50 years ago and to be able to fulfil my life as a priest in the way that was assigned to me and that I accepted from the moment I arrived. I am very grateful to the thousands of people I encountered during all these years for their benevolence. I am particularly indebted to my colleagues and the many teachers and staff I met in the school throughout these years. They have been a source of strength at many critical moments!
