The Trappist Monastery, Lantao Island, 1956

Fri, 09/08/2023 - 08:46

The Trappist Monks arrived in Hong Kong as refugees from China.  The Hong Kong Government and Bishop Enrico Valtorta offered to let them build a monastery on Lantao Island.  The monks began to build the monastery and dairy farm in 1951, and the monastery officially opened on 19 February, 1956.  The monks produced butter and cheese for the hotels and restaurants in Hong Kong.  On 15 January, 2000, the monastery changed its name to Our Lady of Joy Abbey.

This photo was in my father's album and could have been taken on the monastery's opening day, given the number of people shown.  I don't remember if my parents attended that event or if my father actually took this photo.  I do remember visiting the monastery with my parents and a few of my friends at a later date. 

Date picture taken
1956

Comments

As mentioned in my new post today, the above photo was taken by my father, Willie Reed, on the official opening day of the monastery, 19 February, 1956.  I found several photos of the monastery in my father's album, all taken on the same day.  This also confirms that my parents attended this event.