By Br. Dennis Magbanua FSC
The Hong Kong Lasallian Family is thrilled to announce the celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the Lasallian Mission in Hong Kong, taking place from January 2025 to December 2025. This event aims to bridge the past with the present under the theme "150 Years of Touching Hearts, Teaching Minds, and Transforming Lives." This milestone serves as a reminder of the rich heritage and enduring impact of the Lasallian mission, urging the Lasallian community to honor a legacy dedicated to educating young people, especially those who are poor and disadvantaged.
In 1875, six French and Irish Brothers arrived in Hong Kong to establish St. Joseph's College as their first school. The commitment to continue this mission by providing quality education within the Catholic and Lasallian tradition remains strong across all Lasallian schools and outreach projects.
The goal of the 150th anniversary is to inspire all Lasallians to deepen their faith, embrace a spirit of service, and foster a sense of community among students, staff, alumni, and parents. It encourages the Lasallian family to extend their mission beyond the classroom and to reach out to those on the margins of society. Guided by the Biblical question, "Where is your brother/sister?", this celebration invites reflection on the needs of people living in the peripheries of our communities.
In commemorating this rich history, the Lasallian family will express its creativity through various projects and activities that highlight stories, achievements, and the enduring values of Faith, Service, and Community.
The first event of this year-long celebration was the Joint School Mass and Kickoff Ceremony, held on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at the School Hall of La Salle Primary School in Kowloon. Cardinal Stephen Chow SJ was the principal celebrant, with several priests concelebrating. Many De La Salle Brothers attended the Mass, including members of the Lasallian East Asia District (LEAD) leadership team and those who have previously served in Hong Kong.
All eight Lasallian schools—Chan Sui Ki (La Salle) College, Chan Sui Ki (La Salle) Primary School, Chong Gene Hang College, De La Salle Secondary School NT, La Salle Primary School, St. Joseph's Primary School, and St. Joseph's College—were represented by their supervisors, principals, students, alumni, and parents. Former school administrators also joined the celebration.
The Mass began with a procession of relics from St. John Baptist de La Salle and other Lasallian saints, followed by the eight school flags carried by the school principals. In his homily, the Cardinal reminded everyone of their role in teaching students to love others.
Following the Mass, a Kickoff Ceremony took place. Brother Dennis Magbanua, head of the Hong Kong Lasallian Family, thanked the organizers and expressed his immense privilege in serving alongside the Brothers and Lasallian partners in Hong Kong. He felt deeply humbled by the unwavering commitment of each family member to the shared mission—to educate minds, touch hearts, and transform the lives of students through their daily actions.
Brother Jose Mari Jimenez, the Brother Visitor of LEAD, read a congratulatory message from the Superior General of the Christian Brothers in Rome. After the countdown to officially launch the 150th-anniversary celebration, students from De La Salle Secondary School performed a Lion Dance, followed by an award- winning Chinese Drum presentation by La Salle Primary School students.
