Friday, 17 July 2026By 1J Martin Lam
In the Catholic tradition, we are often encouraged, especially during our school years, to look to well-known saints as role models for living out our core faith values. However, this journey offered us something different: an encounter with saints we had never heard of, or who are seldom mentioned.
Through the ‘St. Francis Special Jubilee’ Local Pilgrimage, we came together to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi, actively responding to the Church’s invitation. On this journey, we did not simply “visit” La Verna; rather, we were challenged to intentionally imitate St. Francis by learning from his humility, his devotion to prayer, his spirit of simplicity, and his deep reverence for God’s presence in all things.
When we arrived, we were struck by the stone rubbing of the Nestorian Stele displayed in the lobby. It records the journey of early missionaries spreading Christianity as far back as the Tang Dynasty, serving as a powerful reminder of the countless foreign missionaries who dedicated their lives to promoting the faith in China.
Later, we visited the small chapel and listened to the insights shared by the local staff. He introduced us to four major holy figures: St. Francis of Assisi, St. Clare of Assisi, St. Bonaventure, and Blessed Gabriele Allegra. Their stories inspired us to reflect on the spirit of perseverance, prompting us to think about how we can take concrete action to work hard for our faith and the greater glory of God.
Finally, we venerated several missionary relics and artefacts from Hong Kong’s past. We felt deeply honoured to view these precious items, which offer tangible testaments to the history of the faith. Following this exploration, we felt a profound calling to share our inspiration, our newfound insights, and our strengthened faith with others.
We are truly grateful to Shung Tak for providing us with such a wonderful experience. We will deeply treasure these moments, carrying forward new inspirations and the courage to continue our lifelong journey of deepening our Catholic faith.