By Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing, OFM
As I write this, the diocesan historical exhibition is underway. I hope that the faithful will seize this rare opportunity to visit Saint Francis University and experience this 23-day event, launched to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the establishment of our diocese.
It is more than just an exhibition, because I am one of its protagonists too. On the one hand, like any other history-themed exhibition, it uses a chronological timeline to present the development of the diocese across its faith communities, educational endeavours, and social welfare services. Complemented by photographs, documents, and artefacts, it allows visitors to easily grasp this evolution.
On the other hand, being a member of this diocese, seeing how the light of faith arrived in Hong Kong, took root, grew, and intertwined with our society’s history truly stirs my heart. I see how generations of our predecessors have protected and built this diocese.
This tells the story of the community to which I belong—the history of my home. Therefore, it is not merely a display of historical data but a journey that brings the past into the present, allowing individuals to immerse themselves in the collective whole.
It is more than just an exhibition; it is the fruit of the sincere cooperation and painstaking efforts of numerous brothers and sisters. For an exhibition, finding a venue comes first. Organisations with suitable spaces that are also willing to lend them are few. Thus, I am deeply grateful for the generosity of Saint Francis University. Not only that, their staff members have been incredibly cooperative, responding to every request.
Once the venue was secured, preparation began immediately. However, we were less than six months away from the scheduled opening date, with two major holiday periods—Lunar New Year and Easter—sandwiched in between. Consequently, it feels like a true miracle that the exhibition could ultimately launch on schedule. This is undoubtedly God’s blessing, made possible only by the uncomplaining dedication of many co-workers from the Liturgy Commission, the Catholic Education Office, and Caritas Hong Kong.
Furthermore, the more than 110 volunteer brothers and sisters are like angels sent by God, making me marvel at his handiwork from the bottom of my heart! If the diocese developed in the past through the co-operation of various religious orders, missionary societies from around the world, and local believers, is it not exactly the same today?
It is more than just an exhibition, because it does not simply tell the story of “what the diocese has done,” but also invites visitors to reflect on “how we can carry the torch.” In its final section, the exhibition features both physical and digital message boards for brothers and sisters to write down their personal reflections on the exhibition, their visions for the future of the diocese, and how they can contribute their own efforts towards building up the diocese and serving their parishes.
In this way, historical narrative expands into collective engagement, and personal imagination is placed into a futuristic puzzle shared with other believers. Visitors are no longer just spectators, but participants. While reviewing the 80-year history since the formal establishment of the diocese, this exhibition aims to awaken us to march toward the future hand-in-hand with all our brothers and sisters, co-creating many more 80-year milestones for the diocese ahead.
Come, let us be the messengers of hope!
