Father Richard Ho Lung celebrates 52 years of service - Outlines inspiration for new musical

Following three and a half years of missionary work in sections of The Philippines and Indonesia, Missionaries of the Poor founder Father Richard Ho Lung has returned to the island, but there is no time for rest for the revered priest, who marks his 52nd year in the priesthood today.

Father Ho Lung was stranded in The Philippines since March 2020, unable to travel due to the restrictions related to the pandemic. He, however, stated that after the travel ban was lifted, he and members of his team remained in the eastern countries doing missionary duties.

Ho Lung and two of his missionaries, Brother Jack and Brother Ronel, visited THE STAR offices yesterday to speak about their upcoming production Ruby Magdalene. He said the play is inspired by the true story of a squatter and prostitute he knew whose first name was Ruby.

She had a couple of children and a man living with her. She used to come to mass and worship and receive communion and she was very devoted. But I also knew that she had a lot of men coming to her and that they were very attracted to her. She had something very quiet, womanly and very soft, and she just had a strong quality about her," he said.

He stated that Ruby reminded him of Mary Magdalene who was a follower of Jesus. According to the Bible, Magdalene was a prostitute who Jesus cleansed of seven demons, and she financially aided him in Galilee. She was one of the witnesses of Jesus' crucifixion and burial, and, famously, was the first person to see him after the Resurrection. Ho Lung said Ruby showed off her humanitarian side and adopted her neighbour's two children after she died.

"She was poor and all she had was a little shop, but she still took the children along with hers. She was so strong, and I was moved by her as there was something saintly about her. But I knew that she was a prostitute. The big question was how can a prostitute come to mass every Sunday and at the same was doing the good deeds? She just sounded a lot like Mary Magdalene so she is the inspiration behind the production," he said.

Ruby Magdalene will begin playing at the National Arena on September 27, and runs until October 1.

Almost 45 years ago, Father Ho Lung founded the Missionaries of the Poor, which operates eight facilities islandwide for the poor, mentally challenged, and disabled. Having more than 90 children under his care, Ho Lung said he is deeply moved by the acts of violence against women and children across the nation. He said that lack of love is a major contributor to the violence.

"Love makes a big difference, and the killing of children is something that we have to take very seriously. In Jamaica, we have lost our way because other things are of greater value than that of people. We need the church to do more than preaching and go out there and do other duties. We have to remember that the miracles that Jesus performed were never done in a church," he said.