HONG KONG (SE): The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul Central Council of Hong Kong marked its 163rd anniversary with a thanksgiving Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on September 27, renewing its commitment to walking alongside people in need.
In his homily, Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing urged members to follow Jesus’ example by drawing close to the poor and accompanying vulnerable people with compassion.
Reflecting on Christian service, Bishop Ha emphasised that genuine solidarity involves sharing in the suffering of others. Human lives are deeply interconnected, he said, but those engaged in service must also recognise their own limitations.
The anniversary celebration highlighted both the society’s longstanding service in Hong Kong and its efforts to strengthen support across borders. Its local roots date to 12 July 1863, when Father Gaetano Favini founded the society in Hong Kong.
Speaking to the Sunday Examiner, Ellis Suen, president of the Central Council of Hong Kong, outlined a partnership with the society in Indonesia to assist asylum seekers returning to their home country.
Suen said the twinning agreement builds on a pilot project launched two to three years earlier and aims to provide practical, short-term support to people rebuilding their lives after returning to Indonesia.
Maurice Yeung, international territorial vice-president for Asia 3, said the agreement, signed in April, provides for home visits, mutual support and up to six months of financial assistance for daily living expenses. The initiative also includes weekly joint prayers and help obtaining necessary documents.
The society hopes to extend the twinning arrangement to the Philippines.
Suen linked the initiative to the vision of Blessed Frédéric Ozanam, the society’s principal founder, who envisaged uniting the world in a network of charity.
Bishop Ha emphasised that genuine solidarity involves sharing in the suffering of others. Human lives are deeply interconnected, he said, but those engaged in service must also recognise their own limitations
In Hong Kong, he said, the society seeks to serve as a safety net for people who fall through gaps in existing assistance, including the working poor.
The scale of that challenge was illustrated by an Oxfam Hong Kong analysis that put the number of people living in poverty at more than 1.39 million in the first quarter of 2024, equivalent to 20.2 per cent of the population.
Suen also described the society’s efforts to support students in need, including refugees, by connecting them with anonymous donors. Such assistance has enabled beneficiaries to continue their education through university.
Among them was a local student who completed a medical degree and became a practising doctor. Some former beneficiaries now help fund other students through the society, he said, extending the support they once received to a new generation.
Alongside financial assistance, Suen emphasised the importance of professional training and emotional support for volunteers.
Following the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po in November 2025, the society recognised that volunteers could struggle to manage their own emotions while supporting people affected by the disaster. The fire broke out on 26 November 2025.
In response, the society introduced workshops on trauma management and self-care.
Suen said compassion must be accompanied by clear boundaries and an awareness of personal limitations. Faith, training and support can help volunteers avoid burnout and sustain their commitment to providing practical assistance and personal accompaniment.
Founded in Paris in 1833 by Blessed Frédéric Ozanam and his companions, the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul began with visits to people in poverty, offering material assistance and friendship. That tradition of person-to-person service continues to shape its work in Hong Kong, 163 years after its local foundation.
