Touched by an angel

Sister Christine speaking at reunionMore than 200 South Vietnamese men were imprisoned in Hong Kong for no crime other than being single 40 years ago, when stigmatized sentiments of “boat people” from Vietnam dominated the public conscience.

The British government hoped to prevent social problems in Hong Kong by confining these men, ages 15-84. The men had no chairs or beds, and were confined to a camp inside a small cell behind iron bars on an island accessible only by ferry. Their health was failing, and they were miserable.

Sister Christine Truong took the ferry on her day off every other week to stand compassionately before the men. She convinced a young Salesian priest, Fr. Peter Newberry, to accompany her and celebrate Mass.

Without seeking permission from the government, Sr. Christine and Fr. Newberry visited the men to comfort them. Although not all of the men were Catholic, they craved solace in the presence of the priest and Sister.

After Fr. Newberry celebrated Mass, Sr. Christine would speak in Vietnamese and share news with the men about society. She spoke slowly and listened to them patiently so they understood she cared about them. She would bring candy, simple sweets, to the men when she could and always showed them kindness. Each time she and Fr. Newberry left, the men would ask, “When are you coming back?”

When Sr. Christine asked the men why they wanted her and Fr. Newberry to return, the men said it was because the visits gave them hope. For the men imprisoned, those visits were the biggest event of their lives.

40 year reunion of Vietnamese "single men"After two years in a camp called Hei Ling Chau, the British government released the men. Many of them were accepted to resettle in Norway, France, Sweden, Canada, the US, and Australia. Eventually, the men adjusted and many became successful.

Sister Christine’s dedication to helping men in need led Fr. Newberry to start a nonprofit organization to serve delinquent youth in Hong Kong. Today the 75-year-old retired priest has one of the largest agencies in Hong Kong.

As for Sr. Christine, she has been in touch with one of the young prisoners for the past 40 years, who was 15 at the time. He invited her to Melbourne last October to celebrate the first reunion of the men who were released from Camp Hei Ling Chau.

He sent her a first class plane ticket and arranged for her to stay with a Vietnamese family. Each day, visitors came to the house to meet the legendary Sister who had given the men hope and dignity during their imprisonment.

Sr. Christine was welcomed by165 men from the camp while in Melbourne. Some of the men brought their wives to meet her.

Sister Christine being honored at reunion banquet

In honor of her, they held a banquet and for 10 days, from October 1-11, told stories and lavished attention on her. They spoke of her kindness and told her they remembered the candy she brought to them and how they lived for the moments when she would return to brighten their bleak existence. The men told her that then and now, they have always called her “our angel.”

Sister Christine also recalled the joys the men brought her during the visits. She said, “I didn’t know I was sowing seeds those many years ago,” Sister Christine said. “When I was missioned in Hong Kong after leaving Vietnam as a young Sister, I had nothing to give the men but my time and a few pieces of candy. Looking back, I see that sometimes we do things for the Lord without stopping to think how our actions affect others.”

The men have already begun planning their second reunion in 2024. This time it will be held in the US.

(As told by Sr. Christine Truong)

Jeanette McDermott

Jeanette McDermott

Jeanette is the Communications Coordinator for Sisters of the Good Shepherd Province of Mid-North America. She is a career photojournalist who has served in various capacities of print, broadcast, and corporate communications. Jeanette is devoted to creation and is particularly focused on saving pollinators and other wildlife species and their habitat. She is an ethical vegan and created the website veganstoryteller.com