Hello Hive Friends!
It's time again to revisit a special moment. In these photos, I am sharing my memories from a recent pilgrimage here in Hong Kong. Please join me on this journey as my church mates and I visited two beautiful churches and enjoyed their peaceful atmosphere.
Our first stop was St. Francis of Assisi Church in the Sham Shui Po district of Hong Kong. We spent some time here praying the Rosary. After that, we visited the second church, St. Andrew's, located in Hang Hau.
To make the visit more meaningful, I would like to share a little about the inspiring lives of these two saints.
The Story of St. Francis of Assisi
St. Francis is one of the most beloved saints, known as the patron saint of animals and the environment. He was born to a rich Italian family in the 12th century but famously turned his back on that wealth to embrace a life of humble poverty dedicated to God.
He is famous for his deep love for all of God's creation. He saw the divine in nature, calling the sun his "brother" and the moon his "sister." He preached to birds and is said to have tamed a fearsome wolf. St. Francis founded the Franciscan Order, whose members live simply and serve the poor. His prayer, known as the "Prayer of St. Francis," begins with the famous line, "Lord, make me an instrument of your peace," which perfectly captures his spirit of humility and service.
The church's building itself tells a unique story. What makes St. Francis of Assisi Church particularly special is its architecture. Unlike the other churches designed by architect Chien, this one features a pronounced Chinese style. This was a deliberate choice, influenced by the Chinese renaissance movement that was popular in the mid-20th century.
I hope this detailed story of St. Francis of Assisi Church enriches your appreciation for this special place. If you plan to visit, its address is 58 Shek Kip Mei Street, Sham Shui Po.
The Story of St. Andrew
St. Andrew was one of the twelve Apostles of Jesus and the brother of St. Peter. Before answering Jesus's call, he worked as a fisherman. The famous words Jesus spoke to him were, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." Andrew immediately left his nets to become one of Jesus' first disciples.
He is known for being a passionate missionary who spread the teachings of Jesus after the resurrection. Tradition tells us that he preached in many lands, including Greece and areas around the Black Sea. St. Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland, Russia, and Greece. He was martyred on an X-shaped cross, which is now known as the "Saint Andrew's Cross" and is featured on the flag of Scotland. He is remembered for his eager faith and for bringing people to Christ.
Church Background: This church has a relatively modern history and is the newest church under the Hong Kong Catholic Diocese. The Hong Kong government sold a site near the Hang Hau MTR station to the Diocese in 1998. The building, which also houses St. Andrew's Kindergarten and a priest's quarter, was completed in 2004. The parish was formally established in 2008 when the communities of St. Vincent's Church and St. Andrew's were combined.
Visiting these churches was a deeply moving experience. It was a powerful reminder of faith, sacrifice, and the simple beauty of devotion. Thank you for letting me share this pilgrimage with you, Hive Family. Your support means a lot to me.
God bless you all!
At first I show you some pictures of the St. Francis of Assisi Church.
And now follow some pictures of St. Andrew's church!
