PILGRIMAGE TO ST. JOSEPH’S CHURCH, YIM TIN TSAI, SAI KUNG

Since this year is the Jubilee Year of Hope, our community at St. Joseph's House decided to visit pilgrimage churches once a month. On April 12, 2025, we, a group of postulants from the St. Joseph House community in Hong Kong, accompanied by our Fathers, set out for our fourth pilgrimage destination, St. Joseph's Church, Yim Tin Tsai, one of the pilgrimage churches located in the eastern part of Hong Kong with significant cultural heritage, as our destination. It took us about 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach the island, and then we took a boat to the other side. Along the way, I felt renewed and delighted by the scenery as I traveled with my brothers. Upon arrival, a local resident explained the history and culture of the village. In addition to its rich heritage, one of the most fascinating aspects of this village is its salt production, which has been an integral part of the local culture since about 160 AD. According to the local salt maker, this traditional way of making salt has been passed down through generations. Interestingly, the traditional methods of making salt seem to involve several processes. Driven by curiosity, we took the opportunity to taste the salt and enjoy its distinctive flavor.

After visiting the salt farm, we proceeded to St. Joseph Church. We prayed the midday prayer. After the prayers, we joyfully sang a Jubilee song, raising our voices in harmony. At that moment, we hoped to inspire those from all corners of the world who may have lost their hope in God. Through our devotion to prayer and song, we aimed to remind them of the promise of eternal happiness and life, especially in times of sorrow and adversity. As the atmosphere in the church filled with calmness, I felt a profound sense of tranquility that resonated within me, connecting to the true purpose of my existence in this world. After the prayer, we took some pictures and enjoyed the surroundings for a while.

Then we went to lunch at the restaurant, on the bank of the. The food was delicious. We spent about an hour at the restaurant enjoying delicious seafood and engaging in casual conversation that strengthened our brotherhood. We are especially grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Ambrosio, who generously paid for the entire trip, including our lunch. Their kindness and unwavering support mean a lot to us and we truly appreciate their generosity. We also pray for their health and well-being.

Finally, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to God for giving us this opportunity to explore His unique creation and for guiding every step of our pilgrimage here on earth.  I felt a sense of gratitude for this opportunity to reflect and connect with nature and to appreciate the beauty of God's creation. I cannot wait for our next pilgrimage destination with my brothers.

Bro. Augustine Har Nay