China Province Celebrates 100 Years

China Province Celebrates the 100th Anniversary of Its Establishment

Fr. Domingos Leong, center, with Fr. Will Matthews to his left.
At the far left is Card. Joseph Zen, bishop emeritus of Hong Kong.

(ANS – Hong Kong – June 1, 2026) – On May 30, Salesians and their lay mission partners gathered at the Salesian Missionary House in Shau Kei Wan, Hong Kong, filled with gratitude and joy, to celebrate the momentous occasion of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Chinese Province.

The celebration commenced with an address by Fr. William Matthews, the regional councilor for East Asia-Oceania. Fr. William extended his warmest congratulations to the China Province on its centennial and encouraged members of the Salesian Family to maintain their vitality and zeal on the path of evangelization. He highlighted Don Bosco’s  “Dream at nine years of age,” recounting how Jesus personally instructed young John in the dream to use “obedience and study” to make the seemingly impossible mission possible. Thru this, Fr. William exhorted everyone always to listen to Jesus’ teachings and uphold these 2 virtues when facing the challenges of the new era, thereby laying a solid spiritual foundation for youth ministry.

Fr. Domingos Leong, provincial, led the 1hthroust thematic sharing session, entitled “A Century of Evangelization, an Unchanging Charism.” Fr. Domingos guided the assembly thru a retrospective look at the 100-year history of the Chinese Province, paying special tribute to Salesian pioneers such as Fr. Godfrey Roozen and Fr. Bernard Tohill, among others.

Fr. Domingos recounted how these predecessors remained steadfast at their posts during the difficult years of war. For the salvation of young souls, they courageously negotiated with various military officers to provide sanctuary and a loving home for helpless and abandoned youth amid the turmoil. Concluding his sharing, he specially cited Article 14 of the Salesian Constitutions, inspiring all participants to emulate Don Bosco’s spirit of “Da mihi animas, caetera tolle” and unconditionally dedicate their lives to the salvation of the young.

Following a short recess, Fr. Antonio Leung, vice provincial, led the 2d thematic sharing session. Fr. Antonio provided an insightful explanation of the Rector Major’s 2026 Strenna.

The pinnacle of the festivities was the Eucharistic celebration. In his homily, Fr. William drew a profound parallel between the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah and St. John Bosco: God once said to Jeremiah, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.” In the same way, God had already chosen and consecrated Don Bosco before he was born, appointing him as a prophet to the young. Although both initially hesitated due to their youth and perceived inadequacy, God gave them an absolute promise, along with the Blessed Virgin Mary as their guide and support.

Fr. William used this to encourage the assembly, referencing the deep symbolism in the cover image of the Rector Major’s strenna. In that sacred image, a servant stands pouring wine from a large jar, flanked by Jesus and Mary; that servant in the middle is St. John Bosco. As children and collaborators of Don Bosco, we too are “servants of joy.” Fr. William called upon everyone to follow closely in Don Bosco’s footsteps as the China Province steps into its next century, willingly serving as assistants to Jesus and Mary to bring the joy of the Gospel to the world, especially to poor and abandoned youth.

Following Mass, the celebration concluded with a luncheon filled with the warmth of the Salesian family spirit. All participants returned to their respective ministries carrying the graces and mission of this centenary, ready to continue burning with the love of the Lord.