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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.

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

Copy of a letter from Fr John Hannon SJ (English Assistant) to Fr General seeking permission for Fr Patrick Joy SJ (Superior of the mission) to sell property in Hong Kong. The permission was granted.

Copy of a letter from Irish Fr Provincial Michael A. O'Grady SJ, 85 Eglinton Road, Donnybrook, Dublin to Fr General J B Janssens SJ, 5 Borgo Santo Spirito, Rome outlining the reasons why he feels the novitiate for candidates of the Society of Jesus in the far East should be transferred from Formosa to Hong Kong.

Letter from Fr Patrick Joy SJ, Milltown Park, Dublin to Fr John [ ] SJ concerning the return of Frs McCarthy SJ and Tom Cooney SJ to Hong Kong.

Letter from Fr Edmund Sullivan SJ, Wah Yan College, Waterloo Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong to Fr Socius thanking him for his sympathy following the death of his mother. Discusses his work in the college.

Letter from Fr Eddie Bourke SJ, Xavier Retreat House, 27 Cheung Chau, Hong Kong to Fr Joe [ ] SJ concerning news from Hong Kong. Remarks that Fr Joy has been unwell. Refers to MacGreedy who wishes to join the Irish Province but will need to obtain a release from the RAF.

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 of letters from the Superior of the mission, Fr Richard Harris SJ to Irish Fr Provincial.

A file of letters to Irish Fr Provincial from Irish Jesuits on their way to the Hong Kong mission describing their journey by air.

A file relating to assistance obtained by the Irish Province from the Irish Red Cross in sending telegrams and money to the Irish Jesuits in Shanghai.

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.

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

Extracts from a letter from Fr John O'Meara SJ, Canton to Superior (Fr Richard Harris SJ) concerning his work and life in Canton.

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

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).

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

A file of letters sent by the house consultors, Rector and Vice-Rector of Ricci Hall, Hong Kong to Irish Fr Provincial.

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.

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

Letters sent by the house consultors of the Language School, 1 Battery Path, 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.

A report by John Gannon SJ sent to Irish Fr Provincial on Chinese education and a proposal to establish a centre for Chinese students. Includes a covering letter.

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.

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.

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.

Points discussed and agreed between Irish Fr Provincial John R. MacMahon SJ and Fr Patrick Joy SJ (Superior of the Hong Kong mission) concerning financial arrangements for the mission.

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.

Letter from Dr J. P. Fehilly, 5 Aigburth Hall, Hong Kong to Irish Fr Provincial John R. MacMahon SJ concerning Fr Joy's return to Hong Kong. Remarks that he feels it would be a mistake for him to return without a proper rest.

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

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

Letter from Fr Thomas F Ryan SJ, Superior of the mission, Wah Yan College, Hong Kong to Irish Fr Provincial Thomas Byrne SJ concerning documents associated with the Seminary Commission. Includes the report of the Commission.

A file of letters from the Superior of the mission, Fr Herbert Dargan SJ to Irish Fr Provincial.

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 Michael Saul SJ to Irish Fr Provincial concerning his journey to the Hong Kong mission.

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

A file of letters from various individuals living and working in Hong Kong to Irish Fr Provincial concerning their work in the Hong Kong mission.

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)

A file relating to army chaplains. Includes letters and memoranda relating to the non-payment of their salaries to the Hong Kong mission. Includes extracts from letters by Fr Matthias Bodkin SJ, a naval chaplain concerning news of the Irish Jesuits in Hong Kong.

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.

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

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.

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 of letters sent by the house consultors, Prefect of Studies and Rector of the Regional Seminary to Irish Fr Provincial.

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).

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

A file of letters sent by the house consultors of St Ignatius House, Canton to Irish Fr Provincial.

House consultor's letter from Frs John Collins, Donal Taylor, John O'Meara, Francis McGaley, James Hurley and Joseph Mallin, and John Gannon, St Francis Xavier's, (Language School, Novitiate and Retreat House) 27 Cheung Chau Island, Hong Kong.

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

Letters from Rt. Rev. R. O. Hall, Lord Bishop of Victoria, Hong Kong and The Home Farm, Lewknor, Oxford to Irish Fr Provincial John R. MacMahon SJ, St Francis Xavier's, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin concerning grant in aid schools and the possibility of obtaining an advance of the grants in order to get schools started. Includes a copy of a reply from Fr MacMahon SJ.

A file of copies of letters from Irish Fr Provincial to the Superior of the Hong Kong Mission concerning the administration of the mission and men destined for work in Hong Kong.

Copy of a letter from Fr Patrick Joy SJ (Superior of the mission), Wah Yan College, Hong Kong to Bishop Valtorta, Vicar Apostolic of Hong Kong concerning the Bishop's approval for the Jesuits to have their own church in Hong Kong. Discusses possible sites. Includes a copy of the Bishop's reply.

Copy of a letter from Fr John Hannon SJ (English Assistant), Rome to Fr Patrick Joy SJ (Superior of the mission) concerning the Hong Kong mission. Encloses a copy of a letter from Fr General to Fr Hannon raising a number of points about the work of the Hong Kong mission.

Summary of the Annual Letters from the Hong Kong mission, including a summary of the Apostolates in each house in Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaya.

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.

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

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.

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

Letter from Fr Patrick Joy SJ, Mungret College, Limerick to Fr Coyne concerning Fr Bourke's wish to return to Ireland from Hong Kong by air.

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.

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

A file of telegrams and one letter from Fr Eddie Bourke SJ to Irish Fr Provincial concerning the Hong Kong mission.

A file of letters from Christopher Hollis, Burns, Oates and Washbourne Ltd., 28 Ashley Place, London to Irish Fr Provincial John R. MacMahon SJ, St Francis Xavier's, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin concerning Fr Thomas Ryan's book. Refers to a proposal to publish the book in Australia. Includes reviews of the book.

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.

Letter from Au Sik Ling, 22 Danby Grove, Thornaby-in-Tees, Yorkshire to Irish Fr Provincial John R. MacMahon SJ concerning a letter he brought from Fr Ryan in Kweiliu, the capital of the southern province of Kwangsi in China.

A file relating to a proposal by Dr Fehily of the Colonial Office that some Jesuits be incorporated in the Welfare Mission which he is leading to Hong Kong following the liberating army.

A file of letters from Rev. John Moyersoen SJ, 32 Park Street, Calcutta to Irish Fr Provincial John R. MacMahon SJ concerning the Irish Jesuits who took up positions in the Indian mission following their temporary departure from Hong Kong during the war.

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.

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.

Copy of a letter from Irish Fr Provincial John R MacMahon SJ, St Francis Xavier's, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin to Rev James E. Walsh MM, Bishop of [ ], Superior General, Catholic Foreign Mission, Society of America sympathising over the death of the Vicar General of Maryknoll.

Letter from Fr Thomas R Fitzgerald SJ, Sarahville, Corbally, Limerick to Irish Fr Provincial John R. MacMahon SJ concerning a document from the Canossian Sisters in Hong Kong that was sent to Rome in the diplomatic mail bag.

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.

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

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.

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.

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 relating to the accounts of the Language School in Canton. Includes a note concerning the Procurator of the mission who was to reside permanently in Ireland.

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).

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

Letter from Fr Patrick Joy SJ, St Mary's, Emo, Portarlington to Fr Coyne SJ concerning the sale of Loyola in Hong Kong and Fr Harold Craig SJ and his work in Calcutta.

Copy of a draft of a letter from Irish Fr Provincial Michael A O'Grady SJ to Fr General J. B. Janssens SJ concerning the question whether the Irish Jesuit Mission of Hong Kong (including Singapore and Malaya) should be constituted a dependent Vice-Province or retain its status as a mission under the jurisdiction of the Irish Provincial. Outlines the opinions of the consultors of the Irish Province the Superior and consultors of the Hong Kong mission and the Provincial of the Irish Province.

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

Letters from J. P. McCarthy SJ, Heythorp College, Chipping, North Oxon. to Irish Fr Provincial Thomas Byrne SJ concerning the finances of Hong Kong, in particular Canton.

Letter from Fr Albert Chan SJ, Boston College High School, 761 Harrison Avenue, Boston to Irish Fr Provincial Thomas Byrne SJ concerning his studies.

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

A file containing letters relating to Ternae for Superior of the Hong Kong mission.

A file of letters from the Superior of the mission, Fr Thomas F Ryan SJ to Irish Fr Provincial.

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

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.

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 the imprisonment of Frs Patrick Joy and Gerard Casey by the Japanese.

Letter from J. E. Walsh, Superior General, Maryknoll, New York to Irish Fr Provincial John R. MacMahon SJ, St Francis Xavier's Church, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin concerning notes sent from China intended for the Irish Province.

Letter from the Maryknoll Fathers, Maryknoll, New York addressed 'Dear Friend' offering the services of the Maryknoll Fathers in Chungking, Free China in forwarding mail to people in China.

A file of letters from Fr Patrick Grogan SJ to Irish Fr Provincial written from India where many of the Irish Jesuits went to from Hong Kong during the war. Describes the work he has been assigned to in India.

A file relating to Irish Jesuits working and living in China and Hong Kong during the rise in communism after the Second World War. Includes newspaper cuttings and descriptions by the Irish Jesuits of their experiences.