Canonical Visit to Hong Kong

The Canonical Visit to Hong Kong and Macau, from 23^rd January to 8^th February 2025, has indeed been for us all an unforgettable family gathering. We had with us M. General, Sr. Sandra Maggiolo, Vicar General, Sr. Josemary, and the General Councillors Sr. Melissa and Sr. Mariana. In all our Communities there could be found, pinned on the community boards, the colourful calendar marking out the visits to be made by each of our Visitors to the various Houses assigned to them. The experience of every one of our Sisters was the joy of attentive listening, sincere concern, appreciation and guidance, as well as deep insights in regard to our various situations, which gave to all of us much comfort and encouragement to face the challenges ahead. In early February, Sr. Sandra and Sr. Melissa, together with some Sisters and lay collaborators, visited the southern part of China where our early Missionaries had worked among the local people for a good number of years, and where there can still be seen today clear signs of our Mothers’ early presence and work there. It was the joy of threading the footsteps of our early pioneers, to witness the good done and the faith still alive in so many souls, passed on from one generation to the next!

The Visitors were with us during the Chinese Lunar New Year of the Snake, with its red packets of lucky money, good fortune panels with Chinese characters of blessings and good wishes for the year, lion dances, fire-works, colourful parades, performances and dances – all adding to the highlights of the season!  Then, on 2^nd and 8^th February, the whole Province came together to celebrate the Chinese New Year, to hear the encouraging feedback from our Visitors regarding their visits to our Houses and to celebrate the Feast of our Universal Sister, St. Josephine Bakhita. Both days ended up with a joyful and sisterly agape, all together in our dining room. At the end of our supper on 8^th February, we said farewell to Sr Sandra and Sr. Melissa. Sr. Josemary and Sr. Mariana had already left us on the 3^rd to return earlier to Italy. We keep in our hearts the great joy of belonging to our beloved Institute, of coming to know our Leadership Team in closer quarters, and of the grace of being a Family, sharing the gift of the Charism of Charity that unites us all as one, both far and near.  Thank you, dear Sr. Sandra and Councillors, for your brief but precious presence among us, which has brought so much joy and encouragement to each Sister of our Province!  Thank you! Please come again soon!