Lantao
Location
Official Name Our Lady of Joy Abbey - Lantao
N° 49
Country Hong Kong SAR
City Peng Chau
Address P.O. Box 5
Contact Information
Telephone [852] 2987-6292
Fax [852] 2987-5091
Community Email [email protected]
Superior Dom Paul Kao, Abbot 2016-2028
Other Information
Juridical Status Abbey
Diocese Dioecesis Sciiamchiamensis (Hong Kong)
OCSO Region ORIENS
Founded/Restored 1928
Origins
Founded in China by O. L. of Consolation in 1928; transferred to Lantao in 1937 after many moves; raised to the status of priory in 1941, abbey in 1999.
History
1928: Foundation on the feast of St. Robert.
1937: the monastery was overrun by the Japanese; several monks were imprisoned and murdered, along with the bishop of Zhengdingfu (uncle of Dom Vincent Hermans).
1939: flood
1947: Establishment of a refuge.
With the advance of the communist army, the community fled to Sichuan, leaving only a few caretakers at Liesse. The monastery of Liesse was confiscated by the reds, who set aside a small part for old and sick monks. Regular life continued at Liesse no. 2 in Sichuan in spite of great difficulties. Following a trip to Europe, the prior sent a part of this community (about a dozen) to O. L. of the Prairies, Canada, because of continuing communist advances.
1950: the prior, returning to China, moved to Honk Kong and was able to regroup some of his monks on the island of Lantao.
1952: visit of the abbot general.
1953: return of the monks from Canada.
1955: canonical transfer of the community to Lantao. Visit of the abbot general.
1956: 19 February, blessing of the church.
Father Immediate
Consolation (until 1948) ; Sept-Fons (1948 – 1960) ; then Vina/New Clairvaux
Past Superiors
François ROLS — Superior — 1928 ?
Antoine FAN — Superior ? — 1928 – 1930 ?
Albéric ATCHE — Superior ? — 1931 – 1934 ? (v.34)
Laurent GÉRARDIN — Superior — – 31/2/1941
Paulinus LY (ou LEE) — Titular Prior — 31/02/1941 – 03/02/1965
Simeon CHANG — Titular Prior — 21/05/1965 – 17/06/1974
Benedict CHAO — Titular Prior — 31/07/1974 – 04/08/1992
Benedict CHAO — Sup. ad nutum — 04/08/1992 — 11/07/1998
Maurus PEI — Sup. ad nutum — 11/07/1998 – 05/09/1999
Clement KONG — Abbot — 05/09/1999 — 01/07/2003
Anastasius LI — Sup. ad nutum — 27/07/2003 – 07/11/2004
Anastasius LI — Abbot — 07/11/2004 – 07/11/2010
Work and Sources of Income
dairy (1 monk plus lay employees); bakery (6 monks 2 or 3 days per week); vegetable garden (4 or 5 monks); upkeep of the property, kitchen, laundry, care of the elderly, translation and publication of Cistercian Fathers.
Guest Facilities
main guesthouse – 6 rooms (24 beds, sometimes more); old guesthouse – 2 rooms (6 beds); former barn transformed into a dormitory for up to 12 young people on weekends.
