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Christian meditation is an ancient, though modern, way of contemplative prayer that has been handed down to us since the time of the Desert Fathers in the 4th Century. It was further developed by Fr. John Main, OSB (1926-1982) to cope with the rhythm and style of modern times, so that the Holy Spirit can be the resting oasis for people caught up in this turbulent and stressful world. We, the WCCM-Hong Kong is part of the global World Community for Christian Meditation (WCCM). As a global spiritual community it took form in 1991. But it continues the 30 year long work begun by the Benedictine monk John Main. His legacy is found in his teaching Christian meditation as part of the great work of our time of restoring the contemplative dimension of Christian faith in the life of the church.
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Fr. Laurence Freeman, OSB |
The Community is now directed by Fr. Laurence Freeman, a student of John Main and a Benedictine monk of the Olivetan Congregation. WCCM today is a global ecumenical contemplative community present in more than a hundred countries. Its mission is to communicate the tradition of contemplative prayer in the church as an essential and central dimension of all Christian spirituality. Our spiritual heart is in Bonnevaux, near Poitiers, France. where we have an international meditation and retreat centre.
Beginnings of WCCM (Hong Kong)WCCM (HK) came into being on 20 August, 2006. The Catholic Diocesan Formation Office (now defunct), which learnt that Fr Laurence Freeman OSB, Director of WCCM, was making a visit to Malaysia during the summer of 2006, invited him to extend his trip and come to Hong Kong. A small committee was quickly formed under Fr. Sean Burke, to organize a Silent Retreat. After much hard work and praying, a retreat with the theme “Aspects of Love” took place on 18-20 August at the Salesian House in Cheung Chau. There were 126 participants from all walks of life and different religious backgrounds. The retreat was followed by an open talk at the Rosary Church in Tsimshatsui, which was attended by the then Auxiliary Bishop John Tong (now Cardinal John Tong). At the post-talk dinner that evening, WCCM (HK) came into being in the presence of Fr. Laurence Freeman and Bishop John Tong. Meditation groups existent up to that point, (namely St. Anne Church, Rosary Church, the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception and St Jude Church) were absorbed into it. The organizing committee for the retreat became the 1st Executive Committee of the newly born WCCM (HK). In the following year, Bishop Tong became one of the official patrons of the International WCCM. Through the years, the Lord has blessed our community with gracious and wise Spiritual Advisors:
Our inaugural spiritual advisor (2006-2009) Father Sean Burke, MM
WCCM (Hong Kong) todayWe are an autonomous meditation community, under the auspices of the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong, and in communion with WCCM. From our beginnings, the Holy Spirit has led the community to grow from the initial few groups to 14 groups at present, including one at the Anglican St. John’s Cathedral. We also are also blessed with a vibrant presence online through our weekly online meditation meetings. We work to promote meditation, which leads to more peace and harmony in the society.
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To support us, you can make a direct deposit into our Bank of China account:
012-349-00017344 “The World Community for Christian Meditation (HK)”
and send a picture of the deposit slip with your name to contact@wccm.hk.
Or you can send via electronic transfer using FPS number identifier 104346887.
For cheques, please send to:
WCCM (HK)
St Jude Church
30 Kin Wah Street
North Point, Hong Kong
The World Community for Christian Meditation (Hong Kong) - WCCM (HK)
Address: St Jude’s Church, 30, Kin Wah Street, North Point, H.K.
Tel:+852-61000880
E-mail: wccm.hongkong@gmail.com
local website: wccm.hk
WCCM Hong Kong SAR Coordinator: Vivian Lee
The World Community for Christian Meditation Int'l Office
Address: St. Mark's, Myddelton Square, London EC1R 1XX
Tel: +44-207278-2070 Fax:+44-207713-6346
E-mail: mail@wccm.org
International website: wccm.org
Copyright © 2024. The World Community for Christian Meditation (WCCM) Hong Kong, All Rights Reserved
