Hong Kong

Rebecca Lo visits the Trappist monks in the hills

One of my favorite walks in Hong Kong is the hilly path linking Discovery Bay and Mui Wo on east Lantau Island. The first time we ventured out on this trail, we noticed that our path led to a wider road with the Stations of the Cross nestled within the surrounding sub-tropical forests, spaced at regular intervals.

At the 12th station, a bridge led to a small chapel, and its interiors was drenched in sunlight streaming in through its clerestory windows. The space beckoned and invited contemplation.

The chapel is better known as Our Lady of Joy Abbey, and is home to the Trappists, a branch of the Roman Catholic Cistercian order. Established in 17th century France in La Trappe, the Trappists became known for their devout austerity and vows of absolute silence.

The missionaries arrived in China's Hebei province in 1883 and founded Our Lady of Consolation Abbey, the first Cistercian monastery in Asia. Sadly, the monastery was destroyed in 1947 and the 16 remaining monks were forced to flee.

The Hong Kong government provided refuge for these monks, and gave them a plot of land on east Lantau island where they built a new monastery. Around this time, the Trappists began rearing cows and producing milk. Trappist Dairy milk became known for its creamy taste and is still widely sold throughout the city.

Today, though, the dairy is closed and Trappist milk comes from the Chinese mainland. A few remaining cows can be seen roaming freely around Lantau.

The chapel itself is similar to 1950s style parish churches found all over Europe or North America. The white-and-blue stucco building is visible from high up the hill, standing out among the greenery. The bridge over a leafy ravine can be seen as a symbolic step away from the city's temptations and across to peace and tranquility.

At the entrance, there is a large poster depicting key Christian figures boasting Chinese features. Inside, two stories of arches flank either side of a nave, with wooden pews at the back and along the sides. Like the order itself, decoration is kept to a minimum, with a simple choir loft overlooking the altar and nave.

As in the past four centuries, the monks at Our Lady of Joy get up at 3 am and pray at regular intervals during the day.

For Catholics, Easter is the holiest holiday of the year and well worth the trek to experience Mass with fellow devotees. If you decide on a pilgrimage out to the chapel to worship there this Easter, remember to respect the residents' vows of silence and speak quietly.