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Many Jesuit Provinces had missions in China before 1926 when the Vicar Apostolic of Hong Kong, Fr Henry Valtorta (1883-1953), invited the Irish Jesuits to his vicariate. In October 1926, Frs George Byrne (1879-1962) and John Neary (1889-1983) left Dublin for Hong Kong, which became a Mission for the Irish Province. They were joined, in early 1927, by Fr Daniel Finn (1886-1936) from Australia and later by Frs Richard Gallagher (1887-1960), Patrick Joy (1892-1970) and Daniel MacDonald (1891-1957).

The initial work of the mission concentrated in Hong Kong, with some teaching in Canton and Macao. Their works involved: reviving the Catholic journal, ‘The Rock’; the opening of a hostel (Ricci Hall) for Chinese Catholic students at the University of Hong Kong (1929-); their involvement in the Regional Seminary, Aberdeen, Hong Kong (1931-1964), Wah Yan College, Hong Kong (1932-) and Wah Yan College, Kowloon (1952-). Some lecturing occurred in the university, in areas such as archaeology, education, engineering, and geography. In Canton, Frs Michael Saul (1884-1932) and Joseph McCullough (1892-1932) died from cholera. Hong Kong was under Japanese occupation 1941 - 1945. The Irish Jesuits organised a school for refugees from Hong Kong in Macao and the Regional Seminary was also moved to Macao. Wah Yan College was closed in 1941 and reopened in 1945. Fr Thomas Ryan’s account “Jesuits under Fire in the siege of Hong Kong 1941” deals fully with this time.

After World War Two, the Irish Jesuits established a language school, student centre and parish in Canton. They were expelled by the Communists in [1953]. Wah Yan College grew and developed and further works included the foundation of a university hostel at Kingsmead Hall, Singapore and at Xavier Hall, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. Other works of note that Irish Jesuits had a hand in establishing and running in Hong Kong include: the Hong Kong Housing Society (1938); Wah Yan Relief Association (1938); Shoeshine Boys Club (1952-1962); the Credit Union Movement (1962); Rehabilitation Centre for the Handicapped (1962); Catholic Marriage Advisory Council (1963); Road Safety Association for Schools (1964); Industrial Relations Institute (1968); Chinese Opera in English (1960s); Fisherman’s Children School (1960s) and Welfare for Police in the Training School. In 1966, Hong Kong became a Jesuit Vice-Province and in 1985, the Province of Macau-Hong Kong was established. Today, Hong Kong is a unit within the Chinese Jesuit Province.

Over a hundred Irish Jesuits have served in Hong Kong, China, Malaysia and Singapore - 30 of whom are buried in St. Michael’s Cemetery in Hong Kong and two in mainland China.

Typed copy of the petition sent by the Society of Jesus in Portugal to the Pope seeking his approval for the foundation of a school run by the Society of Jesus in Hong Kong.

A file relating to the establishment of a foreign mission to China and the foundation of a school for higher studies in Hong Kong.

Postal district map of Kwangtung District. Scale 1:300000.

Copy of a document from Rome concerning studies in the Chinese language for Jesuit Missioners.

Series of letters written by Fr John Neary SJ to Irish Provincial John Fahy SJ concerning his arrival to Hong Kong and the development of the Mission there

5 December 1926, 3pp
9 December 1926, 3pp
12 December 1926, 4pp
18 December 1926, 5pp
21 December 1926, 3pp
29 December 1926, 3pp
17 February 1927, 1p
26 February 1927, 2pp
1 March 1927, 1p
11 April 1927, 3pp
2 June 1927, 1p

Statement of an agreement signed by the Vicars Apostolic in China as a model for any group of Jesuits coming to work in China.

Two letters written by Fr John Neary SJ to Irish Provincial John Fahy SJ relating to arrangements for his journey to Hong Kong.

Panoramic postcard containing views of the harbour at Hong Kong. Annotations on reverse by Fr John Neary SJ pointing out significant features.

Copy of a letter from the Vicar Apostolate of Hong Kong, Enrico Valtorta to [ ] (not a Jesuit but somebody in Rome) concerning the Chinese mission. Remarks that the Irish Jesuits would be advised to take on a hostel or a college or both and revive the publication 'Rock'. Remarks that men are available to go to China. Suggests that some Irish Jesuits should be sent to study Chinese in the Benedictine University in Peking prior to teaching in the Jesuit college in Hong Kong.

Photographic album with original and copy inserts of scenes from Hong Kong, Canton and China. The copy photographs (seem to be mass-produced and touristic) have numbers in the bottom left hand corner, with white handwritten captions, for example, 'A chair at Hong Kong', while original photographs are often described on reverse with pencil, 'The Seminarians 1926', and underneath in light pencil. The first number of photogrpahs are missing. The album appears to contain a large number of photographs of Franciscans in China and of Catholic Foreign Mission Society of America, Inc. (Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers), and some Jesuits. Includes: the consecration of Bishop Valtorta [with the] Band from the Salesian Industrial School, Macao (1926); Fr Crochet SJ and his Chinese flock; Bishop Wittner OFM and his Chinese priests; seminarians of the regional seminary at Tatungtu, Shansi; Fr Netto; Fr Pradel with lepers at Sheklung; Fr Nugent (Catholic Foreign Mission Society of America), Ningpo, Fr Gleeson, Frs Driscoll, Malone and Murphy (Catholic Foreign Mission Society of America). The Irish element to the album may perhaps why it ended up with the Irish Jesuits.

Memorandum on problems for the future of the Hong Kong mission.

A file relating to Ricci Hall, Hong Kong. Includes documents relating to the finances of the hall, visitation memorials, Historia Domus.

A file of letters from Fr Daniel J Finn SJ to Irish Fr Provincial concerning his voyage to China, the early years of the Chinese mission and his work in the mission. Includes a letter describing the difficulties he has encountered in learning Chinese (8 April 1927, 6pp). Includes a description of a visit to a mission in Shiuhing (9 May 1927, 14pp). Includes a letter discussing the staffing needs for the Hostel attached to Hong Kong University (17 May 1927, 8pp). Includes a letter describing the move to the Sacred Heart College Canton, China. Describes how they are settling in (9 September 1928, 8pp).

A file of letters from Fr Daniel MacDonald SJ to Irish Fr Provincial concerning the Hong Kong mission, describing his work in villages around the West River (Shiuhing).

A file of letters from Fr Patrick Joy SJ to Irish Fr Provincial concerning the Hong Kong mission.

Covering letter from Fr Daniel J Finn SJ, 16 Caine Road, Hong Kong to Fr Patrick Connolly SJ, Dublin enclosing an article [written for 'Studies'] inspired by a recent visit to a town called Wai-Chan.

Letters from Fr Daniel J Finn SJ, 62 Robinson Road, Hong Kong to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ concerning his life and work in Hong Kong. Describes his surroundings and discusses Chinese culture. The second letter is incomplete.

Letter from Fr Daniel J Finn SJ, 62 Robinson Road, Hong Kong to Fr Brennan SJ concerning the Chinese mission, his work and the Chinese people.

Copy of the appendix to the Report of the Commission on Seminary Training.

A file relating to the Regional Seminary, Aberdeen, Hong Kong. Includes documents relating to the establishment of the Regional Seminary, finances, annual report detailing the opening of the Seminary in 1931 (24 January 1933, 6pp). Includes letters relating to the Terna for the Rector of the Seminary (12 - 15 April 1937, 5 items and 30 June 1937 - 2 July 1937, 7 items).

A file of letters from Fr Richard Gallagher SJ to Irish Fr Provincial concerning his journey to Hong Kong, learning Chinese, his work in the Chinese mission and in Wah Yan College.

Letters from the Superior of the mission, Fr George Byrne SJ to Irish Fr Provincial.

A file of letters from Fr Joseph McCullough SJ to Irish Fr Provincial concerning his journey to Hong Kong and his work in China.

Account sheet of income and expenditure relating to building work carried out in the Chinese mission.

Letter book containing copies of letters and cables sent to the Hong Kong Mission by the Irish Province.

Letter from Bishop Valtorta, Catholic Mission, 16 Caine Road, Hong Kong to Irish Fr Provincial John Fahy SJ congratulating the Irish Jesuits on their work in the Chinese mission.

A file of letters from Fr Michael Saul SJ to Irish Fr Provincial concerning his journey to the Hong Kong mission.

A file relating to Fr Jeremiah Hogan SJ. Includes documents relating to his ill health (TB), his move from Hong Kong to Australia and his death in Australia.

List of volunteers for the Chinese mission.

Photograph of Jesuits at house warming in Northern Rhodesia [Not Northern Rhodesia, but Irish Jesuits at Hong Kong in 1930s].

Photograph depicting a view of Hong Kong harbour and Kowloon.

Photograph of a Chinese woman holding a baby.

Plan of a building belonging to the Jesuit mission in Hong Kong.

Photograph of group of Jesuits talking outside a residence in Northern Rhodesia. The car belongs to a Franciscan according to the writing on the reverse of the photograph [Not Northern Rhodesia, but Irish Jesuits at Hong Kong in 1930s].

Group photograph of the first seminarians and their professors taken at the Regional Seminary.

A file of letters sent by the consultors of the Hong Kong mission to Irish Fr Provincial. The letters contain information on the mission and the opinions of the consultors regarding the mission and its work.

Group photograph of the first year of Aberdeen Seminary, Hong Kong. The photograph includes Bishop Valtorta and Fr Thomas Cooney SJ (Rector) and other Irish Jesuits.

A file of letters to Irish Fr Provincial relating to the choice of Superior of the Hong Kong mission by the mission consultors.

A file relating to an invitation to the Jesuit Mission to take over the administration of Wah Yan College, Hong Kong. The College was started by a Chinese Catholic as a secondary day-school. Includes letters from the mission consultors to Irish Fr Provincial concerning the proposal.

Letter from the Vicar Apostolic of Canton to Irish Fr Provincial Laurence Kieran SJ regretting the forthcoming departure of the Jesuits withdrawal from Canton at the end of the academic year. Includes a copy of a reply from Fr Kieran SJ.

List of Chinese names of Irish Jesuit mission personnel.

A file relating to Wah Yan College, Hong Kong and Wah Yan College, Kowloon. Includes minutes relating to the salaries of lay masters and the purchase of school buildings in Wah Yan, finances of the college. Includes a relatio as to the advisability or otherwise of admitting Portuguese or European students in to Wah Yan College by Fr Richard Gallagher SJ, Vice-Rector ([1933], 6pp). Includes a general memorial of visitation (1936, 3pp).

General financial statement of the Hong Kong mission.

A file relating to the deaths of Frs Michael Saul SJ and Joseph McCullough SJ from cholera.

Copy of the a preliminary report on the construction of new buildings at Wah Yan College, Hong Kong by Philip Will Jr.

A file containing notes on issues relating to the Hong Kong mission, discussion points for the Superior of the mission and an agenda for Irish Fr Provincial concerning various issues relating to the mission.

A file of letters from Fr Gerald L Kennedy SJ to Irish Fr Provincial concerning his work in Hong Kong. Includes a letter concerning his voyage home. Remarks 'Just a line to tell you that Frs Fitzgerald, Gallagher and myself are ploughing our way through the Gulf of Aden on our way home after 3½ years of hunger and deprivation…' Discusses the other Jesuits still in Hong Kong (24 October 1945, 2pp).

A file relating to an article by Fr Gerald Kennedy SJ on China. Includes the MS of the article (92pp) and censor's reports on the article - relates to Fr Kennesy's voyage to Hong Kong,and travelogue about Rotterdam, Germany, Colombo and Manila.

Booklet published by the Irish Messenger entitled 'The Irish Jesuits in China'.

Group photograph of the retreat group at the Regional Seminary, Hong Kong.

Group photograph taken on the occasion of His Excellency Mgr Zanin's (Apostolic Delegate to China) visit to the Regional Seminary.

A file relating to the scholasticate in Shanghai. Includes a memorandum by Fr Thomas Cooney SJ outlining his views on the scholasticate.

A file relating to the publication 'The Rock'. Includes financial details of the publication and letters relating to the political nature of some of the articles.

A file relating to the Irish Jesuit Mission Office (The Ricci Mission Unit) based in Ireland. The file contains financial information (accounts, donations and burses) relating to the Hong Kong mission, letters by Fr Thomas Martin SJ, relating to the administration of the Hong Kong mission and personnel/volunteers for the mission.

Memorandum on social work by Jesuits in Hong Kong.

Copy of a letter from the Internuncio Apostolic in China concerning the possibility of establishing a Catholic University in Canton under the direction of the Jesuit Fathers. Expresses his pleasure at the enlargement of the Jesuit Language School in Hong Kong.

Minutes of Hong Kong mission consults and summaries of decisions taken at mission consults.

A file of letters written to Irish Fr Provincial expressing dissatisfaction at Fr Tom Cooney's return to China in the light of his poor health and the long sea journey in a second class cabin.

Newspaper cutting reporting on a lecture delivered by FrRobert Nash SJ in support of the Irish Jesuit mission to China.

A file of correspondence between Fr Eddie Bourke SJ, Wah Yan College, Hong Kong and Bishop Valtorta concerning the issuing of an order that the Irish Jesuit Fathers are to wear a soutane in public. Fr Bourke's letters urge the Bishop to reconsider. Outlines his reasons for this request (1946). Question already arose in 1935.

A file relating to the possibility of working with lepers in China.

A file of letters and telegrams from the Superior of the mission, Fr Thomas Cooney SJ to Irish Fr Provincial.

Map of Hong Kong depicting the site of the new school. Scale 8 inches to 1 mile.

A file relating to the will of Canon Roche and money he left for the education of students for foreign missions.

Correspondence between Fr J. O'Leary PP, Dunmanway, Cork and Irish Fr Provincial Laurence Kieran SJ concerning a donation from Fr O'Leary for the Chinese mission.

A file relating to visitors to the Chinese/Hong Kong mission. The letters relate to the administration of the mission and the Jesuits working in the mission. Includes a copy of a letter from the Superior of the mission Fr Thomas F Ryan SJ to Fr Visitor, Fr Burkhardt SJ concerning the mission in light of the communist occupation of the neighbouring provinces of China. Describes the effects of this occupation on the work of the mission (15 January 1950, 11pp).

A file of medical reports for candidates for the Chinese mission.

Reasons for investing money in Hong Kong rather than in Europe.

A file of letters from Fr John Fahy SJ (Vice-Provincial of the Vice-Province 19 March 1931-25 August 1939) to Irish Fr Provincial Laurence Kieran SJ. Includes a letter referring to a visit to the Hong Kong Mission. Remarks 'Your men are doing glorious work there I had expected great things; the reality surpassed my expectations. That will become a first class mission.' (25 February 1937, 2pp). Includes a letter referring to plans for a retreat house and scholasticate at Sydney. Refers to the Archbishop of Perth and his desire for the Jesuit fathers to build a college in Perth. Remarks '...he wishes to get the Jesuits into his diocese. It does not seem to have occurred to him that the people of Perth would be expected to support any Jesuit Fathers who work there. So we exchange letters on this question of filthy lucre.' (1 April 1937, 2pp). Includes a letter expressing his thanks to Fr Kieran SJ for writing about the Australian Jesuits studying in Ireland. Remarks '...I am most grateful for your interest in them and your care of them. Other Provincials never write about our men: all we get is the bill and the exam results...' Refers to his own position as Provincial of the Vice-Province. Remarks 'Yes, our period of office is drawing to a close...I long for the day... Boys oh Boys, think of it: no more "relationes", no more triennial papers, no more elenchi, no more building, no more administratio temporalis, no more...peace perfect peace.' (21 April 1937, 2pp). Includes a letter referring to the proposed opening of a scholasticate in January 1938 (25 October 1938, 1p).

A file relating to the Language School, Loyola, Tai Lam, Ch'ung, Un Long, Hong Kong.

Custom book for the Chinese mission. Includes comments on the Custom book.

Letter from Br Philip G Sullivan SJ, Borgo S. Spirito, Rome to Irish Fr Provincial Laurence Kieran SJ concerning Mgr. Gee Piu's visit to Rome and Ireland.

Pamphlet entitled 'The Irish Jesuits in China'.

Memorandum on points affecting the Hong Kong mission discussed at a mission consult.

Photographs of Hong Kong missionaries. Most of the individuals are identified. Inlcudes a letter from Br E Connolly, Secretaritus Missionum, Borgo S. Spirito, Roma, Italy to Fr John Coyne SJ, St Francis Xavier's, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin enclosing a list of photograph in their archives of missionaries on the Hong Kong mision.

Includes photograph of visit of Fr General Pedro Arrupe SJ to Wah Yan College

Letter from Mgr. Yu Pin, Catholic Mission, Yunnanfu, China to Fr John J Coyne SJ concerning his trip to Europe and the landing of the Japanese army near Canton.

Details of the Chinese mission of the Irish Province entitled 'The Hong Kong Letters'. See MSSN/HONG/2/8, 2/10

Circular from the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith concerning the manner and approach of religious to teaching.

A file of letters sent by the house consultors and Rector and Vice-Rector of Wah Yan College, Hong Kong and Wah Yan College, Kowloon, to Irish Fr Provincial.

Letters from John O'Meara, SJ, Regional Seminary, Aberdeen, Hong Kong to Irish Fr Provincial concerning his life and work in the Regional Seminary.

A file relating to the fate of the Irish Jesuit priests working in Hong Kong during the Second World War and the Japanese occupation of the city. Includes returned letters to Irish Fr Provincial marked 'No Service Return to Sender'. Includes letters from family members asking for news or reporting to Irish Fr Provincial on letters received by them. Includes letters from other individuals seeking news about non Jesuit family members. Includes a copy of a request by Irish Fr Provincial John R. MacMahon SJ to Joseph P. Walshe, Department of External Affairs seeking help in assisting four Jesuit students to return home to Ireland (23 March 1943, 1p). Includes a reply stating that a proposed scheme to exchange civilian internees applies only to British or Allied subjects (12 May 1943, 1p). Includes a memorandum written by Fr Joy on Irish nationals in Hong Kong. The memorandum was sent by Irish Fr Provincial to the Irish Red Cross (24 October 1942, 2pp). Includes letters concerning Irish Jesuits who left Hong Kong to live and work in India during the war and subsequent return to Hong Kong when the war was over. Includes 'A Priest in a Japanese Jail' by Fr Gerard Casey SJ (1948)

Article entitled ‘Missionary endeavour of the Irish Province of the Society of Jesus from 1915 to 1940’ which gives a history of the mission in Hong Kong and China.

Copy of picture from the Daily Mail newspaper depicting a view overlooking Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong.

A file relating to the opening of the senior division of the Wah Yan College, Kowloon.

Status of the Hong Kong Mission.

A file of letters and telegrams from the Superior of the mission, Fr Patrick Joy SJ to Irish Fr Provincial.

A file of letters from Fr Daniel Donnelly SJ to Irish Fr Provincial.

Map depicting a view of Hong Kong harbour, souvenir of the tenth anniversary of the opening of the Regional Seminary of Hong Kong.

Telegram from Fr Eddie Bourke, SJ concerning masses said. Requests money.

Typescript entitled 'Steer Neutral in Troubled Waters, Hong Kong 1941 - 1945' describing the experience of Irish Jesuits during the Japanese occupation by Fr Eddie Bourke SJ. Not related to Fr Thomas Ryan's 'Jesuits Under Fire'.

Letter from Fr John F. Hurley SJ, Superior, The Philippine Mission of the Society of Jesus PO Box 272, Manila, Philippines to Fr Cooney SJ concerning praise for the Irish Jesuits and their hospitality.

A file of telegrams from Fr Albert Cooney SJ to Irish Fr Provincial concerning the Hong Kong mission.

Letters from Fr Daniel McDonald SJ, St Mary's, Emo, County Laois to Irish Fr Provincial John R. MacMahon SJ concerning Chinese language studies for Irish Jesuits bound for the Chinese mission.

Notes concerning the death of Fr Daniel Donnelly SJ's mother including funeral arrangements.

A file of letters from Fr John Meagher SJ (Vice-Provincial of the Vice-Province 25 August 1939-1 October 1947) to Irish Fr Provincial (John R. MacMahon SJ and Thomas Byrne). Includes a letter referring to an offer by the Apostolic Delegate to take a minor seminary in New Zealand in 1947. Asks if four or five young priests could be sent out. Remarks 'We have offers of work from practically every Bishop in Australia and must refuse for want of men. Our recruiting is bad and I really don't know what to do to remedy the trouble.' (10 November 1945, 1p). Includes a letter referring to a request by Fr Dan O'Connell SJ for Fr Richard Ingram SJ to help with his work in the Riverview Observatory. (18 March 1946, 1p). Includes a number of letters concerning Fr Cooney and his ill health. Includes a letter remarking 'He (Fr Cooney) wants to return to Hong Kong in September but I think you realise his return there would probably settle his chances of ever doing any more work...I think that Fr Cooney will never be really fit to return to Hong Kong (15 May 1946, 1p). Includes a letter referring to proposals to open colleges in Adelaide and Brisbane. Remarks due to the shortage of Jesuit Fathers that this is impossible. (27 June 1946, 1p).

A file relating to a questionnaire circulated by the Sacred Propagation of the Faith in order to obtain up to date information for the Dictionary of Missions.

A file of letters from Fr Thomas F. Ryan SJ to Irish Fr Provincial concerning the Hong Kong mission during the Second World War and his work in Hong Kong afterwards.

A file relating to requests received from the Hong Kong mission for financial assistance.

A file relating to the imprisonment of Frs Patrick Joy and Gerard Casey by the Japanese.