In faithfulness to the original inspiration: spirituality of St. Magdalene of Canossa and its implementation in Canosslan education Hong Kong and Macau, 1860-2014

This study shows that the “essence” of Canossian education is rooted in the spirituality of St. Magdalene of Canossa, Foundress of the Canossian Daughters of Charity. Although Canossian education has taken on various “forms” throughout its one-and-a-half-century presence in Hong Kong and Macau, this study argues that Canossian education has remained faithful to the Canossian spirit of charity as its original charism.
The thesis will first delve into the charism and spirituality of Magdalene of Canossa, so that an in-depth understanding of the spirit, meaning and value behind her education ideals could be achieved. Then, by reviewing the 150 years of history of Canossian education in Hong Kong and Macau, the thesis will examine how the Canossian spirit was realized and evolved with the development of these two societies, but at the same time remain faithful to the original inspiration.
The findings suggest that preservation and furtherance of the Canossian spirit among lay Canossian educators depends on the spiritual formation –– not only the professional abilities –– of these lay “transmitters”. Research findings also show that Canossian education cultivates in the students a spirit to serve, which contributes to the pay it forward phenomenon, thus sustaining the Canossian heritage of charitable services from generation to generation.