HONG KONG (SE): The Holy Spirit Seminary is inviting members of the public to a special open day on October 1, organised to mark the 80th anniversary of the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong, offering visitors a glimpse into the daily life, culture and spiritual mission of its priests and seminarians.
The open day will run from 10.00am to 5:30pm at the seminary grounds. Although pre-booked guided tours and theology and philosophy trial classes are now fully subscribed, the event remains free and open to the public for walk-in visits. However, with thousands of visitors already registered for the morning slot between 10:00am and noon, organisers strongly encourage guests to plan their visit for the afternoon, when the venue is expected to be less crowded.
The day begins with an opening ceremony held as a morning prayer service, offering visitors an authentic glimpse of the community’s daily devotional life. Throughout the site, families can enjoy a range of activities, including interactive game stalls with stamps to collect for prizes, food stalls and stage performances presented by local schools and community groups. Guests can also visit six themed exhibition points staffed by volunteer guides, where a postcard stamp-collecting activity offers small prizes along the way.
For those interested in history, the archives room—located adjacent to the third-floor library—will open its doors to display rare heritage items. The exhibition is divided into two sections: one tracing the historical growth and development of the Hong Kong diocese, and the other showcasing traditional pre-Vatican II liturgical items. Highlights on show include the papal vestments worn by Pope St Paul VI during his landmark visit to Hong Kong in 1970, together with ceremonial items belonging to the late Bishop Francis Hsu Chen-ping and the late Cardinal John Baptist Wu Cheng-chung.
The archives room will welcome visitors during three designated time slots: 10:30–11:30am, 12:30–1:30pm and 2:30–4:15pm. To ensure a comfortable visiting experience for all guests, capacity in the room will be capped at 60 people at any one time, with entry closing 15 minutes before the end of each session.
The celebrations will draw to a close with a solemn Mass at 4:30pm, celebrated by Cardinal Stephen Chow, S.J., and Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing, rector of the seminary.
As no parking spaces will be available on-site, visitors are advised to travel by public transport. The seminary is located at 6 Welfare Road, Wong Chuk Hang, Aberdeen.
