Original Chinese article found on the Kung Kao Po website.
"As long as there are young people in Hong Kong, the De La Salle Brothers will continue their mission here, providing faith formation through education to draw them closer to God."
As the De La Salle Brothers celebrate 150 years of establishing schools in Hong Kong, Brother Dennis Magbanua, Head of the De La Salle Brothers in Hong Kong, pledged that the Lasallian family will continue to respond to their evangelization mission in the city through education and service.
In 1875, six De La Salle Brothers arrived in Hong Kong. They took over the West Point Reformatory and St. Saviour’s College, renaming the latter to St. Joseph’s College, thereby launching their educational endeavor in Hong Kong. In 1932, the congregation founded La Salle College. Brother Dennis described starting from scratch back then—requiring significant funds and materials to build the school—as a "leap of development" for the Brothers.
Subsequently, in response to the development of Hong Kong's education system and social needs, the Brothers opened La Salle Primary School in 1957. Within the short span of a decade between 1965 and 1974, they successively established:
- Chan Sui Ki (La Salle) College
- Chong Gene Hang College
- Chan Sui Ki (La Salle) Primary School
- St. Joseph’s Primary School
- De La Salle Secondary School, N.T.
- St. Joseph’s Kindergarten (now closed)
Brother Dennis emphasized that this was precisely because "the Brothers' mission in coming to Hong Kong was to respond to educational needs, especially the needs of young people."
Serving Grassroots Youth
The De La Salle Brothers have been running schools in Hong Kong for many years. In recent years, Brothers from India, the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, and Singapore have also come to serve in Hong Kong, dedicating themselves to teaching and administrative work. In the past, the Brothers set up schools to secure educational opportunities for students; what needs does Hong Kong society face today?
Brother Dennis, who came from the Philippines, noted that foreigners often mistakenly view Hong Kong as a wealthy city without poverty. In reality, there are still many disadvantaged young people in the corners of society who need assistance, such as the children of asylum seekers and students living in subdivided flats.
To meet the needs of grassroots students, Brother Dennis shared that the Lasallian family collaborates with Caritas, St. Jude’s Parish, and the Order of Malta Hong Kong to provide after-school tutoring services. Aside from offering a quiet learning environment, some volunteer tutors are retired principals and vice-principals who can offer the most appropriate educational guidance. "They are like grandparents, teaching these children with patience and kindness," he said.
He added that La Salle College offers a service-learning curriculum, while Chan Sui Ki (La Salle) College and St. Joseph’s College also organize service-learning activities. These programs encourage students to step into the community personally to participate in charitable work, applying their knowledge to help those in need. "Because students do not learn just for the HKDSE, but to better serve others."
In recent years, the De La Salle Brothers have also arranged a Sunday Mass every second Sunday of the month at De La Salle Secondary School, N.T., welcoming migrants to attend. This initiative caters to the spiritual needs of foreigners working or living in Hong Kong. Brother Dennis mentioned that after Mass, the migrants can cook and sing together, enjoying a relaxing holiday. The Lasallian family also occasionally organizes seminars for them, inviting experts to share information on fraud prevention and labor laws to help them protect their rights.
Embodying the Spirit of the Lasallian Family
Having grown up attending Lasallian schools in the Philippines, Brother Dennis recalled his school days and fondly remembered the Brothers' loving teaching methods. He was deeply moved by how they willingly left their families to dedicate their entire lives to the Lord, living out their calling as educators. Inspired by them, he joined the congregation at the age of 17 and has been involved in teaching and administration ever since. "Seeing the growth of our students brings us the absolute joy of being teachers," he expressed.
Since last year, the De La Salle Brothers have organized a series of activities to celebrate their 150th anniversary in Hong Kong. These events featured many new initiatives, showcasing an innovative spirit on the path of education. Brother Dennis highlighted a recent joint-school performance held at the Hong Kong Baptist University, where students from eight Lasallian schools performed together on stage, highlighting the solidarity of the Lasallian family and showcasing the students' talents to the public.
Furthermore, he was deeply impressed by the alumni who united to conduct charitable services across Hong Kong, Kowloon, and the New Territories—providing physical health check-ups for the public. This further embodied the Lasallian spirit of faith, education, and community solidarity, while deepening the bonds among members of the Lasallian family.
For many years, the De La Salle Brothers have nurtured talents and accompanied youth through their formative years. Brother Dennis vowed that the congregation will continue to uphold its founding educational spirit, anchored in faith, zeal, and communion, to provide students with human and Christian education—equipping them to serve others with a heart of faith and zeal, and to bring glory to God.
Disclaimer: This article was translated using AI-assisted tools to reach a wider Lasallian audience. Please read with openness as some nuances may not be perfectly captured. For corrections or suggestions, please send us a message.
