In the late 20th century, the huge state industries became increasingly uneconomical, and the area was the scene of labour unrest as workers went unpaid or were laid off and factories closed.

	Map of China
	Map of NE China (Manchuria)

 

The first community: 1936-1948

Shenyang, formerly known as Moukden.

Shenyang is the capital of Liaoning Province.

The second community: 1941-1948

Jilin, formerly known as Kirin.

Jilan is a major city in Jilin Province.

Siping, formerly known as Szupingkai.
It was here the Brothers were kept in the concentration camp during the war. (1942-1945)

The Mission

In 1933, Mgr Michel Blois, Vicar Apostolic of Moukden, wrote to Brother Adrien, Superior General, requesting Brothers to teach and manage his seminary schools.

Brother Martial-Paulin, retiring Visitor of Montreal was appointed by Brother Superior General to examine the possibility of a foundation there. He gave a favourable report.

1935

Brother Nivard Josephus, visitor of the District of Montreal visited Moukden to check out the possibility of a foundation there. His report was positive.

1936

Brother Marie-Liguori (the director) 39, Brother Modestus Leopold 54, and Brother Melchiade Barthelemy 29, arrived in Moukden on the 16th of October. The first Lasallian foundation in China was off the ground.

The Brothers began a course in Chinese which commenced on 23rd October. On 30th October, the Brothers began their ministry with the junior seminaries, accompanying them at recreation and for a start teaching them Catechism, French and Arithmetic. Prayer, study and teaching filled up the programme for the day, which passed all too quickly.

Institute Bulletin

1937

The Brothers found it difficult to make contact with the outside world. Despite the unstable environment, the Brothers found their students a source of consolation.

We realize only too well that we are but poor instruments in the hands of God. In class our students are a source of much consolation. These young seminarians are intelligent, hardworking and pious, very close to God.

Brother Liguori

1938

Brother Assistant Romuald-Horsea paid a visit to the Community in China. Probably, he was asked to send more Brothers, although the situation was not without danger.

The diocese of Moukden celebrates the centenary of its foundation this year, the first diocese in Manchuria.

16 February: Service at Fushen for Fr Donovan, kidnapped by some outlaws and found strangled a few days ago.

Brother Leopold’s report to Rome

1939

Brother Liguori wrote to Brother Visitor in Montreal and humbly suggested plans for the development of the mission.

We work flat out at the seminary, putting all we have got into the work. It is not our project, but we give ourselves fully as it were. After all we are labouring for the Lord and for His church. We work away in all humility, leaving to others the glory of our achievements……But in all sincerity, allow me to request that once finished, I shall be allowed return to the ranks. It will do me good to be just a simple Brother once more.Brother Liguori

1940

A house called Saint Francis Xavier was bought in Moukden for the Brothers studying the Chinese language.

On the 19th of October, Brothers Marie-Marcel, Marie-Mederic, Jules, Odilo, Guy and Hippolyte arrived China.

The new Brothers stopped over in Japan before they went to China. Brother Marie Marcel told them that a war was to start shortly and that it would be safer to sail back to Canada. However, he was told: “We have come this far and we will continue on to China.”

Brother Marcel Petit

1941

A house was bought in Kirin and five Brothers were appointed to run a seminary school there.

The Brothers were Barthelemy (Director), Marcel, Guy, Jules, Hippolyte and Odilo.

In December, all foreigners in that part of China were placed under arrest and sent to internment camps.

The Brothers in Moukden were first held in Hong Kong Shanghai Bank in Shengyang, with only one meal a day, and then in the YMCA club until the end of January 1942.

Brothers in Kirin were interned in Szupingkai (Siping).

1942-1945

In January 1942, the nine Brothers in China were all interned in the Szupingkai camp.

In September 1942, Brothers Marie-Marcel, Jules, Hippolyte and Mederic were transferred to Japan and they were held in various concentration camps there until the war ended.

About the same time, Brother Leopold was released from Szupingkai concentration camp because of his age, and he returned to Moukden.

In 1943,Brother Liguori caught Manchurian Fever in the Szupingkai camp. For a whole month, he was confined to his bed with intermittent fever. He passed away on the 28th of October and was buried in the garden of the Immaculate Conception Sisters at Szupingkai. We do not know the whereabouts of his grave and perhaps he is the only De La Salle Brother buried in China.

Suffering and deprivation was the common lot of the internees, with lack of food the greatest hardship. However, the Brothers were creative.

One could mention Brother Barthelemy’s exploits, with his gift for capturing pigeons. Brother Guy contrived a kind of roasting spit to cook them. In all he seems to have served anything up to 300 pigeon a la Ritz Cartlon.

Brother Marcel Petit

The release:

In the summer of 1945, the Brothers were set free. Brother Leopold remained in Moukden. Brothers Barthelemy, Odilo and Guy returned to Kirin. They resumed their mission work immediately and waited eagerly for the younger Brothers to return.

1946

The Director in Kirin, Brother Barthelemy, wrote to Brother Visitor requesting new Brothers despite the adverse political, social and economic circumstances. He stressed how their stay in the concentration camp did not affect their morale at all. However, his letters never reached their destination.

Our health which might have required a period of convalescence was not affected in any way by our stay in the concentration camps, and as for morale, well our liberation and our work there made for a formidable mutual bonding, had it been necessary. Brother Odilo is combining the teaching of French, Algebra and Writing with his study in Chinese. Brother Guy teaches Latin and Mathematics. I teach Geometry.

Brother Barthelemy

1947

A house was bought in Beijing called Benildus House after the name of our Lasallian Saint.

Brothers Isidore (Director), Cyprian Adrien and Gilbert left Montreal and arrived in Beijing on the 16th of November. They began learning Chinese and were waiting for the chance to start their mission in China.

1948

Because of the chaotic political and social situation in Manchuria, Brothers Leopold and Odilo took refuge in Beijing while Brothers Barthelemy and Guy went back to Canada.

The Brothers in Beijing were quite anxious about the political development and

in December, Brothers Leopold, Isidore, Cyprian, Gilbert, Adrien, Odilo and a postulant , Pai King, left for Hong Kong.

Providence has actually brought us to a place where we can perfect our knowledge of English, as well as Chinese, as we still hope to return to China one day as the Lord may determine in His hidden designs. Even as we rejoice in our security in Hong Kong, we do not forget China where the Church is undergoing a terrible trial.

Brothers Leopold, Isidore, Cyprian, Gilbert, Adrien, and Odilo

(Signed in La Salle College, Hong Kong)

Let us remember these Brothers in our prayers because of their dedication and courage in carrying out the Lasallian mission in China, that immense country, so ancient and so new. May their souls rest in His peace!

The Brothers

	Service in China	Community
Brother Liguori	1936-1943	Moukden (Direcrtor)	Passed away in the camp at Siping in 1943
Brother Leopold	1936-1948	Moukden	Hong Kong (1948) and returned to Canada.
Brother Barthelemy	1936-1948	Moukden and Kirin	Returned to Canada and left the Brothers
Brother Guy	1940-1948	Kirin	Returned to Canada and left the Brothers
Brother Odilo	1940-1948	Kirin Beijing	Hong Kong (1948) and returned to Canada.
Brother Marie-Marcel	1940-1942	Kirin,	Transferred to the camp in Japan in 1942. Served in Japan after the war.
Brother Jules	1940-1942	Kirin,	Transferred to the camp in Japan in 1942. Served in Japan after the war.
Brother Hippolyte	1940-1942	Kirin	Transferred to the camp in Japan in 1942. Returned to Canada after the war.
Brother Marie-Mederic	1940-1942	Moudken	Transferred to the camp in Japan in 1942. Returned to Canada after the war.
Brother Isidore	1947-1948	Beijing	Hong Kong (1948) and returned to Canada.
Brother Cyprien	1947-1948	Beijing	Hong Kong (1948) and returned to Canada. Now 89, residing at Brothers’ Community, Laval.
Brother Adrien	1947-1948	Beijing	Hong Kong (1948) and returned to Canada. Now 88, residing at at Brothers’ Community, Laval.
Brother Gilbert (Perrier)	1947-1948	Beijing	Hong Kong (1948) and asked to stay there. Served in the Hong Kong Mission until he passed away in 1977.
Pai King (Postulant)		Moukden	Went to Hong Kong with the Brothers in 1948. It is believed that he is now teaching in Thailand.

 

Brother Adrien, Superior General (1928-1934)	Foundation at Moukden, 1936 From left: Brothers Leopold, Liguori (Director), and Barthelemy
Community at St. Francis Xavier House, Moukden Front from left: Brothers Marie-Marcel, Marie-Mederic Second row: Brothers Jules, Odilo, Hippolyte and Guy	Brother Gilbert, with his students at St. Joseph’s College Primary School, Hong Kong, 1976.