The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1953-04-10
Priests, Nuns
Build Religion
AT University
y Converted Al Formosa
School Since 1919 When
First Religious Arrived

TAIPEI, Formosa - (NCt - The
small nucleus OF priests and nuns
teaching al the only university on
the island of Formosa have re.
markable record for spreading
Catholic influence among the stu.
dents. Among the 81 Catholics at
tending the university, 70 became
converts while studying there.
There are now nine priests and
three nuns teaching at the Nation
al TalWsn University here.
The first priest TO undertake the
work was Father Maurus Fang Hao.
professor of history. who started
teaching there in 1949. He was
Joined later that year by Father
Joseph Kung, attached to the Law
College, and by the Benedictine
Sisters. The Jesuit Fathers were
invited by the University authori-
ties to lecture at the beginning OF
1852. There are 5000 undergradu-
ates at the capacity-filled universe.
ty.
Typical of the conversion apostle
late carried on by the priests and
nuns is the work of Father Fang
Il have now IL students under in
struction," he said, land hope that
they will be ready for baptism by
Pentecost. | insist on at least four
or five months instruction before
baptism. For the most part, stu
dents begin to show an interest in
religion during their sophomore
year"
To train this group of Catholic
students as spearhead of Catho.
lie Action, Father Fang has organ
lied Catholic Students Associa-
tion with meetings once a month
where doctrinal points are discuss
ed and the need for lay apostles
stressed.
At Beda Chang Hall, Jesuit house
on the campus named after Father
Beda Chang, ST., who died of i'll
treatment in communist hands in
Shanghai in 1851, there is a chapel,
student recreation center, library
and Catholic information bureau.
There, enrolment in the Blessed
Virgin Mary sodality. sanctuary
society, the ApoStleship OF Prayer
and well-attended First Friday
Holy Hour, build up the spiritual
life of the young students.
In 1852, the Jesuit Fathers ran a
summer school of Catholic Action,
with program of lectures, group
study of Catholic principles and re-
ligious exercises in common. Dur
ing the winter vacation, Father
Kung directed a three-day retreat
for boys, with 20 retreatants, and
Father Edward Murphy, Jesuit Su-
perior from San Francisco, expell-
ed from the China mainland by the
communists in 1851. directed sim
liar religious exercises for girls.
The energetic Benedictine Sis
ters, Sisters M. Wibora, M. Ro-
nayne and NJ. Mariette, living in a
small Japanese-style house, teach
on an average OF so hours week
each in lectures at the University
and private classes in religion and
English.
1--WE use English classes as a
means of contact" says Sister NJ.
Wibora, superior of the little COM
munity from Minnesota, ''and by
friendship and sympathy gradually
lead the students to an interest in
religion. Sometimes even a broken
heart, the result OF an unhappy
teen-age love affair. can be the
means OF making a student look
TO religion for an answer to the
problems of youth"
Besides Father Murphy, Fathers
Joseph Donohoe, brother of the
Auxiliary Bishop Hugh A. Dono-
hoe of San Francisco - Patrick
Shaules of San Diego, and William
Clement of Oakland, are of the
California Province. Fathers Fred
erick Weinbartner of Austria,
Jose Rodriguez OF Spain and Albert
Dujardin of France, complete the
group.