Ambrogio POLETTI (aka Ambrose) [1905-1973]

Submitted by jill on Tue, 07/30/2024 - 19:30
Names
Title
Father
Given
Ambrogio
Family
Poletti
Alias / nickname
Ambrose
Sex
Male
Status
Deceased
Born
Date
Birthplace (town, state)
Mandelo Lario, Como
Birthplace (country)
Italy
Died
Date
Died in (town, state)
Hong Kong
Died in (country)
B.C.C.Hong Kong
Cause of death
Heart attack

The following notes are summarized from the Diocesan Archive.
 

Father Poletti  came to Hong Kong in 1930, having completed his studies in Milan and, as a graduate student, in the Gregorian University, Rome. He served first as assistant priest in Waichow and later as Rector of Tam Tong District, Kwangtung. He was interned when the Sino-Japanese War reached his district. On his release in 1942, he came to Hong Kong, first as Rector of the New Territories and later as assistant priest in St. Teresa’s Kowloon. After the war he returned to Tam Tong as Vicar Forane.

In 1950, the most memorable period of his life began with his appointment as Rector of Shatin, which then included Taipo and Fanling. Before long he was probably the best known man in the whole district. His universal friendliness and his superabundant energy shone through every word he said. He was habitually brusque, without ever offending, and the courtesy which replaced the brusqueness when the occasion called for it was as unstudied as his brusqueness. His dogs and his birds - above all the mynah bird that used to mix “Ave Maria” with less pious chatter-spread his fame as a character. Parishioners and police and everyone else quickly came to like and trust the flery ball of energy that shot round the New Territories in ceaseless apostolic and pastoral work.

When the stream of bishops, priests and religious began to cross the border in the early 1950s, Father Poletti took upon himself the task of meeting them. The police at the border knew that Father Poletti would rush to their post at any hour of day or night to greet an arrival. The expellees, arriving weary and despondent, were heartened, and invigorated by the high-spirited friendliness of their reception, and many of them would treasure the memory of that meeting till their dying days.

Father Poletti's most dramatic moment came when an ill-clothed expellee said “I am Bishop Bianchi.” Father Poletti popped his Bishop on the pillion of his motor bicycle, rushed him to the presbytery, telephoned the Bishop’s House, and re-clothed the bishop in preparation for his reception at Tsim Sha Tsui.

All this did not interfere with his work in his district. It was because he was a superb parish priest and commanded the respect and cooperation of all that he was able to accomplish his work of priestly charity.

He built the church and presbytery in Fanling and became Rector of Fanling when the growing Mission District was divided in 1957. He held this post till early 1973 when ill health forced him into reluctant retirement.

The Italian government conferred the Grand Cross of the Republic on him in 1956 in recognition of his work for Italian expellees, Very typically, Father Poletti used the presentation of the Cross as an occasion for making it clear that the idea of a border patrol had originated not with himself but with Father Paul Duchesne, MM.

His last year was a trial of spirit to Father Poletti, His heart retained its old energy and fire, but his weakening body could no longer accomplish his desires. He had had to leave his church, his famous Christmas crib and his loving and beloved parishioners, though many of these came to him when he could no longer go to them.

He used his dwindling energies to the utmost. On Christmas Day, he celebrated two Masses. On St. Stephen’s day he suffered his final heart attack and died within half an hour.

The Requiem Mass for the repose of his soul was celebrated on 29 December in St. Margaret’s Church, Happy Valley, by Father Philip Commissar, Regional Superior of the PIME, and a large number of his confreres. The farewell blessing was given by Bishop Peter Lei of Hong Kong. Bishop Lei also officiated at the graveside. A large gathering of the faithful testified both in the church and in the cemetery to the abiding and widespread affection Father Poletti aroused wherever he was known.

There is a photograph and more detailed information on Father Poletti's rescue exploits on the link to The Remnant Newspaper.

 

 

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Photos that show this Person

Still of Father Ambrogio Poletti interviewed in 'The Island of Hong Kong, Southeast China: A CBS Special Report'
1953

Comments

Hi Jill, glad to see your sharing about Father Poletti.  May I ask if you're a Catholic as well conducting research over the history of Catholic Church in Hong Kong?

I recently found a precious video where there's an actual footage about Father Poletti in 1958.  You can fast forward to 3:35 and see him speaking while saving one of the priests coming from Mainland China:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8D9cKoXQGOc

Thank you, kuievita, for adding the link to the video that shows Father Poletti.  I saw this video two years ago and then I could not find it anymore; have been looking for it ever since.  

My grandmother knew Father Poletti in the 1940s, as did her children, my aunts.  They said Father Poletti was a good man.

Thank you kuievita for the link to the video showing Father Poletti welcoming the bishop from China. My research has been into the lives of my own family in Hong Kong from 1866 to 1941. My English grandfather, Charles Warren, was befriended by the Polish priest, Father Augustin Placzek after the accidental death of his toddler son in 1900. He was accepted into the Catholic Church and his four subsequent children were baptized into the Catholic Church. My grandfather supported the Catholic Church in Hong Kong and the Catholic missions on the China coast until his death in 1923. His charitable work was continued by his son, Leslie Warren, who regularly visited the missions until he left Hong Kong in 1941. Father Placzek died in 1928 and Father Poletti must have succeeded him. I did not find out until fairly recently that my own father had been baptized into the Catholic Church. He never mentioned it. I myself was baptized into the Church of England.

I am delighted to receive responses and information from Aagg and Jill!

First, regarding Father Poletti: two months ago, my wife and I visited St. Joseph's Church in Fanling, and I must say, the renovated church is a must-see.  As Aagg mentioned, the church beautifully preserves the grotto, seamlessly integrated with the surrounding garden.

Father Poletti, as described in the article shared by Jill, truly was an exceptional man.  Not only did he warmly greet many priests from Mainland China at the border, but he also established St. Joseph's Church in 1954, making it a focal point for Catholics in the New Territories.  Additionally, he played a significant role in founding De La Salle Secondary School in Sheung Shui in 1958.  He was actively involved in local activities; I recently came across an article in the South China Morning Post archives from the 1950s, where he enthusiastically participated in beating the local drum during the Tuen Ng festival's dragon boat competition—quite amusing!

However, I would like to clarify two points: the video featuring Father Poletti should be Bishop Mario Civelli.  Furthermore, historical records indicate that Father Poletti was not ordained as a priest when Father Placzek passed away in 1928. Father Poletti's first arrival in Hong Kong was during World War II, after being released by the Japanese from Huizhou in 1942.  Thus, there may not be a direct connection between Father Poletti and Father Placzek.

Despite these differences, there is a common thread among these remarkable priests.  All mentioned here, including Father Placzek, Father Poletti, and Father Mario Marazzi (featured in the Italian article), were from the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME).  Established in 1850, this society has served Hong Kong since 1858, sending numerous missionaries—most from Italy, but also from other places like Father Placzek from Poland—to assist the local community.  They are truly "unsung heroes," providing vital support in areas such as food, social welfare, education, and historical research, often with humility and a low profile.  I have had the pleasure of meeting Father Mario Marazzi several times; at now around 95 years old, he still remains a kind and helpful person who has greatly aided my historical research.  Their contributions to Hong Kong society are invaluable, yet their stories often go unheard.

My friends and I have recently created a dedicated Facebook page for another great PIME priest, Father Enea Tapella, who served in Hong Kong from 1957 to 1977, focusing on helping those with physical and mental disabilities—an often neglected group facing significant discrimination at the time.  Tragically, Father Tapella's death in a traffic accident in 1977 led to the founding of Fu Hong Society, one of Hong Kong’s largest NGOs, which continues to support individuals with mental disabilities in honor of his legacy.  In my research on Father Tapella, I have uncovered many moving stories and collected precious artifacts.  Here’s our Facebook page about Father Tapella, which chronologically lists his contributions to Hong Kong. I welcome your thoughts and comments:

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid02Gx9UZb8922zZPj…

We aim to expand our coverage of PIME priests who served in Hong Kong between 1945 and 1979.  I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to connect with both of you to gather your research on these extraordinary individuals. If you don't mind would you kindly share your e-mail addresses, or send yours to me privately to kuievita@gmail.com.  Please stay in touch!

I believe I got my information about Father Poletti arriving in Hong Kong in 1930 from the Diocesan Archives in Hong Kong. It seems he did not stay very long. Father Placzek also arrived via Milan. I don't know who took over from him. I believe he had to leave Hong Kong during WW1 because of Italy's alliance with Germany and his own connection with Italy. I'm afraid all my information comes from the internet rather than research on the ground, so I don't think that I can be of much help. My uncle was the last member of my family to be in Hong Kong. He left in 1941. He was given rather a wonderful figure of Buddha as a leaving present from the China missions that his grandchildren still have. I don't have any post-1945 information.

The earlier one was Attilio Poletti (MEM, Milan Foreign Mission Society).
He was born in Italy in 1877, and died in Hong Kong in 1911, aged 33.
 
 
 
The later one was Ambrogio Poletti (PIME, Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions). 
He was born in Italy in 1905, and died in Hong Kong in 1973, aged 68. 
He was known for his community service work during his time at St. Joseph's Church in Fanling, New Territories, welcoming Christians arriving in Hong Kong at the train station border with China.
 

I today came across to a book written by Brian D. Wilson, who once served as District Officer in the New Territories, during 1950s.  In his memoir published in 2000, "Hong Kong then", there was a funny description about Father Poletti by him.  Allow me to quote this here:

[Quote]

It was in the 1950s that China began to expel European missionaries, many of whom had lived most of their lives in China. The daily train from Canton brought loads of tired, bewildered priests and nuns, with few possessions and little or no idea of what would happen next. Father Poletti, the resident Roman Catholic Priest in Tai Po, met the train every day at Lo Wu station on the border, where passengers were obliged to disembark on the Chinese side of the bridge, walk across on foot with their baggage, pass through HK immigration and customs before getting on the HK train to Kowloon (neither side allowed its rolling stock across to the other side, for fear of not getting it back again). It was up to each religious denommatlon to take care of its expelled clergy, the majority being helped back to their country of origin.

Father Poletti was a bearded, voluble Italian who rode a motorcycle with a lighted cigarette burning fiercely between his whiskered lips. In his modest village house in Fanling, he kept a crested mynah in a cage. "Go on, say Ave Maria, damn you," he would rage at the bird.

[Unquote]