HONG KONG (SE/Agencies): Anthony Leung Po-tak, from Hong Kong, was ordained to the priesthood on August 24 at St. John Bosco Parish in Taipei.
Born in 1983, Father Leung was baptised at the age of five. His vocation was inspired by his exposure to the Salesians and Don Bosco through his education at Salesian schools, namely the Tang King Po School and the Salesians of Don Bosco Ng Siu Mui Secondary School. The seed of his calling was sown under the guidance of Salesian Brother John Baptist Chu Sek-yan.
Father Maria Anthony Leung completed his novitiate and professed his first vows in the Philippines in 2011. He made his perpetual vows in Hong Kong in 2017.
His completed his theological studies at Fu Jen Faculty of Theology of St. Robert Bellarmine, and he was ordained a deacon in 2023 [Sunday Examiner, 26 March 2023].
He has been involved in ministry in both Hong Kong and Taipei and is held in high esteem by the young people.
Archbishop Thomas Chung An-zu of Taipei presided at the ordination ceremony, joined by 40 other concelebrants, including Bishop John Lee Juo-wang of Tainan; Father Domingos Leong, the provincial superior of the China Province of Mary Help of Christians; and Father Alphonsus Cheng Tai-kai, head of the Don Bosco community in Taipei.
During the ceremony, Father Leong recommended Leung for ordination, and he made his vows before Archbishop Chung, who then ordained him by the laying on of hands.
Following the ordination, Father Leong conveyed his appreciation to the archbishop for officiating the ceremony, the parents of the newly ordained for their unwavering support of their son’s calling, and to all attendees for being a part of this significant occasion. He emphasised the crucial role of families in nurturing vocations.
In his message, Father Leung expressed gratitude to all attendees and requested prayers for his well-being. He thanked the bishops, the Salesian community, the seminary faculty, various religious orders, his classmates, and his vocational mentor, Brother Chu. He also extended his gratitude to his spiritual mentors, parents, and the young people he encountered on his travels.
Archbishop Chung lauded Father Leung’s passion for serving young people, his dedication, and his willingness to sacrifice himself. He noted the new priest’s service in different parts of Taiwan and expressed hope that he would continue to serve even more young people under the auspices of the Salesians.
He also prayed for God to call more young people to respond to their vocations and for the Church to have more Salesian priests dedicated to serving young people.
