Freinademetz Musical

St. Joseph Freinademetz SVD has inspired much of what I am doing. He was born in 1852, in Oies (South Tyrol), joined the Society of the Divine Word, and worked most of his life in China, primarily in Shantung, where he died in 1908. He was canonized in 2003 and is a role model, inspiration, and intercessor for those who give witness of their faith outside their demographic group and country of origin, building and serving the local church community. He is exemplary in his intercultural cabability, successfully adapting to a world view and way of life different from the one he was socialized to, and creating a community of faith that draws as much from the scriptures and Church traditions as from local traditions. Fr. Joseph Tan Lei Tao SVD produced together with Mr. Ngan Lai Nor a musical on this saint's life, his calling to an intercultural mission, his deep personal transformation, and his conviction that "love is the only language that everyone understands." The musical's premiere was in Hong Kong in 2018, coinciding with the 140th anniversary of the arrival of the saint there. The musical can be watched on YouTube in Chinese with subtitles in various languages. A short musical introduction, based on quotes by the saint can be watched on YouTube.