From 27 July to 31 August, Monsignor Mariano Fazio, auxiliary vicar of Opus Dei, visited several Asian countries, amongst them, Japan, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Singapore. It was his first visit since the Region of East and South Asia was established.
During the days of his visit, Monsignor Fazio commented that he was visiting on behalf of the Prelate of Opus Dei. He invited those he met to pray for the Prelate’s intentions and assured them of the Father’s prayer for them in this part of the world. He also shared with them the Prelate’s main pastoral priorities and gave ideas on how to put them into practice.
Across schools, universities, student residences and public gatherings, several themes accompanied his journey: friendship as a path to apostolate, sanctification through ordinary work, the heroic example of the early Christians and Asia’s importance in the life of the Church.
Japan
Monsignor Fazio began his trip in Nagasaki, where he toured Seido Gakuen schools and met teachers, school leaders and members of its board.
He spoke about St Josemaría’s vision of education, emphasising the importance of involving parents and helping everyone engaged in the life of a school to find personal sanctification through their work. He recalled the example of Eduardo Ortiz de Landázuri, whom St Josemaría reminded that his calling was not merely to establish the Faculty of Medicine in Pamplona, but rather to become a saint by doing so.
From Nagasaki, Monsignor Fazio travelled to Ashiya and Kyoto. In Kyoto, he visited two student residences: Shimogamo Academy for women and Yoshida Academy for men. At Shimogamo Academy, he met supernumeraries and cooperators.
Tokyo was the final stop of this short and intense visit to Japan. He reminded those he met that they were evangelising in one of Asia’s principal centres of influence and encouraged them to persevere in the important work of spreading the faith.
In the talks and gatherings in Japan, Monsignor Fazio shared how he was particularly struck by the courtesy he encountered in the country. He shared that it is an expression of the profound respect they had for each person. The few visits to monuments and historical sites helped him appreciate the Japanese cultural heritage. He was also moved by the history of Japan’s early Christians. It was during his visit to the museum and church at Ōura in Nagasaki that he learnt more about the hidden Christians who preserved their faith through centuries of persecution, and this left an impression on him. In his meditations, he encouraged those present to practise their faith with similar courage and fidelity.
Monsignor Fazio presented with a folder with a famous Japanese print :The Great Wave, with Mt Fuji in the background
Hong Kong
In Hong Kong, Monsignor Fazio visited Tak Sun Primary School and Tak Sun Secondary School, where the pastoral care is entrusted to Opus Dei. He expressed his appreciation for the schools’ work with young people and toured its facilities, including the newly renovated chapel in Tak Sun Secondary School.
Saint Francis University hosted him at a seminar attended by about 100 participants. The discussion centred around how personal interiority, ethical responsibility and genuine human connection can renew contemporary culture from within.
To a group of young people, Monsignor Fazio stressed the importance of friendship, both with others and with Jesus, and described it as a natural path of apostolate.
At a gathering with young men in Hong Kong.
He later addressed an audience of about 200 at a public talk entitled “Opus Dei in Asia.” Reflecting on the meaning of work, he observed that although work has deep cultural importance in Asia, particularly in Chinese culture, it remains a means rather than an end. Work should help us serve God, family, friends and society, rather than displace them; it is precisely within ordinary work that people can find holiness in the middle of the world.
At the public talk at Tak Sun Primary School with about 200 people in attendance.
He also remarked that Catholics in Asia had to cultivate the missionary outlook of the early Christians, since they remain a minority in much of the continent. Moreover, recent Popes have repeatedly identified Asia as central to the Church’s challenges and future.
Throughout the journey, Monsignor Fazio shared the intentions of the Prelate of Opus Dei: peace in the world; the holiness of the Work’s members and friends; the growth of the apostolate and new vocations; and, above all, the Universal Church and the Pope.
After the event, many people queued to have their copies of his book Changing the World from Within (Chinese /English) autographed. He remained for almost an hour, taking time to speak personally with each of them.
At several other gatherings, he also shared stories of his friendship with the late Pope Francis, which began when the latter was the Archbishop of Buenos Aires.
Vietnam
Vietnam was the next destination. Spending a day in Ho Chi Minh City, Monsignor Fazio remarked on the country’s rapid progress and development.
Opus Dei is still in its early stages there. Meeting small groups of men and women, he encouraged them to continue their apostolate of friendship. He also answered questions about how they could explain the spirit of Opus Dei to their families and friends within the Vietnamese cultural context.
With some women from Ho Chi Minh City along with Fr John Paul Menchavez and Fr Ralph Valdes
Singapore
Singapore was the last stop. There he had the opportunity to meet young people, members and friends of Opus Dei.
Returning to the theme of friendship, he encouraged the young to get to know Jesus as personally as they would someone they loved. After all, he observed, it would make little sense to love someone without taking an interest in the important details of that person’s life.
After preaching a meditation, he joined some boys for dinner and spent time chatting with them in the same spirit of friendship he had encouraged.
Mingling with young men for a mediation and conversation over dinner.
Monsignor Fazio was also received by Cardinal William Goh, Archbishop of Singapore. They discussed the apostolate of the Work in Singapore and the activities in St Joseph’s Church in Victoria Street where pastoral care is by the priests of Opus Dei.
In the afternoon, Monsignor Fazio visited Cherrybrook, pre-school started by parents w inspired by the teachings of St Josemaría and the Study, an after-school care centre for primary school children.
The children at Cherrybrook gifted him with a cardboard mosaic image of a duck made of many pieces of cardboard every child had contributed to. They also had the opportunity to ask him many questions. Monsignor Fazio promised them, before he left, that he would pray for them and their families.
With the children at Cherrybrook preschool.
Later in the evening, at a public conversation entitled “Being Christian in Today’s World,” attended by about 250 people, former broadcast journalist Sharon Tong interviewed Monsignor Fazio about finding God amid the demands of work and family life. There was also a Question and Answer segment. Here he covered many topics such as finding God in the midst of busy, stressful lives of work and family, the culture of encounter, education, how to deal with being ostracised whilst standing up for your faith, sharing the faith and friendship.
"Being Christians in Today's World" held in Singapore.
As he had done in Hong Kong, he emphasised the importance of a healthy work-life balance and of giving priority to God, family and friends. He joked that St Josemaría might tell people in Hong Kong and Singapore to slow down, work a little less and make more room for God amid their hectic lives.
On Sunday, Monsignor Fazio celebrated Mass at St Joseph’s Church (Victoria Street). Celebrating with him were the church’s rector, Fr Joe Lopez, and Fr Ralph Valdes, regional vicar of East and South Asia. At the end of the Mass, some faithful approached him to give him thanks for the trip and shared their hopes for the life of the community at St Joseph’s Church.
The journey ended on a forward-looking note. Speaking in Singapore, Monsignor Fazio said that his time in Asia had changed his vision of the world. He had come to see Asia as central to the future of the apostolate - a conviction that also presented a challenge, since Catholics remain a minority throughout much of the continent.
Excerpts of Monsignor’s Fazio’s public talk in Singapore, “Being Christians in Today’s World” can also be found here :
On the Culture of Encounter
https://www.instagram.com/p/Ddcv4YRTTTT/
On devoting time to prayer:
https://www.instagram.com/p/Ddku6ubTgEM/
On Friendship :
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Ddpm3VQzQVG/?stkn=YTQ4a2p4a21nNGZt