Servant Leadership

St Joseph Freinademetz
聖福若瑟

Josef Freinademetz (1852–1908) was an Austrian Catholic missionary and member of the Society of the Divine Word who dedicated his life to serving the people of China. Embracing the value of servant leadership, Freinademetz immersed himself in Chinese culture, learning the language and striving to become ‘a Chinese among the Chinese’. He recognised the importance of empowering local laypeople and catechists, creating Chinese-language catechetical materials and focusing on the spiritual formation of both lay and ordained leaders. Despite facing hardships such as illness, bandit attacks, and the dangers of the Boxer Uprising, he consistently put the needs of others above his own safety, even staying behind to care for orphans and the sick during times of crisis.

Freinademetz’s motto, “The only language everyone understands is love”, guided his humble and selfless service. His life remains a powerful example of servant leadership, marked by compassion, humility, and unwavering dedication to those he served.