Winston Lim Sayson, K.C., M.G.C. — Xavier School Batch 1980
When Winston Lim Sayson walked the halls of Xavier School from 1968 to 1980, he was being formed not merely to achieve, but to serve. Decades later, that same light — Luceat Lux — continues to shine across continents, illuminating courtrooms, communities, and hearts in Canada.
A distinguished alumnus of Xavier School, Winston recently received the King Charles III Coronation Medal (March 2025) — an honor granted to Canadians who have made significant contributions to public service and their communities. The recognition adds to his already remarkable distinctions: King’s Counsel (K.C.), a title bestowed upon senior lawyers recognized for excellence, integrity, and leadership in the legal profession; and Medal of Good Citizenship (M.G.C.), the second-highest civilian award in British Columbia, conferred for outstanding community service and civic contribution. In 2023, he was awarded the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award.
Over his three-decade career as Trial Crown Counsel with the BC Prosecution Service, Winston has prosecuted soe of the most complex and sensitive criminal cases — including vehicular homicides and crimes against children — always with a heart anchored in justice and compassion. Yet despite his many accolades, Winston remains deeply rooted in the humility and purpose he first learned at Xavier.
Xaverian Roots
Spanning from Kindergarten to High School (1968–1980), his years at Xavier formed both the direction and discipline of his life. “The Jesuit education I received there taught me that excellence is not measured merely by achievement, but by purpose anchored in service,” he shared.
He vividly recalls the school’s vision: “Men (Persons) fully alive, endowed with the passion for justice, and the skills for development.” The mission — “LUCEAT LUX! Let your light shine!” — continues to guide his every endeavor.
Early mornings of study, high expectations from teachers, and the quiet influence of retreats and masses instilled in him the truth that “academic skills and knowledge without conscience are incomplete.” Xavier impressed upon him that integrity and compassion must always walk together — a conviction that became his moral compass in the courtroom, where truth, fairness, and justice meet daily.
One memory stands out from his Xavier years — his class’s outreach to Vietnamese refugees, known as the “boat people.” “I remember meeting them in the camps, befriending the children, and speaking to them even though they did not know English,” he said. That experience of empathy left a lifelong mark. He also recalls with gratitude the dedication of his Chinese language teachers who inspired his lifelong engagement with Mandarin — a skill that remains invaluable in today’s interconnected world.
The Journey and the “Why”
When he joined the BC Prosecution Service, he did not seek to be the first Filipino-Chinese Canadian Trial Crown Counsel. His motivation was simple yet profound: to serve with integrity and ensure that justice was not an abstraction, but a lived reality for victims and the public.
Over the course of three decades, he handled some of the most complex cases — from vehicular homicides to crimes committed against children and vulnerable victims. “I learned that the law’s power lies not in punishment alone, but in its capacity to protect the vulnerable and affirm human dignity,” he reflected.
His “why” has always been stewardship: to use the gifts and talents God granted him for the common good. “Every file, every trial, was an opportunity to serve with competence and compassion. Justice, at its best, is an act of love — love in public.”
A Moment of Recognition
When he received the King Charles III Coronation Medal, recognizing his significant contributions to Canada, he described the moment as “profoundly humbling.”
“I accepted it not as a personal triumph, but as an affirmation of the values that shaped me — my faith, my heritage, my work ethic, and the example of my parents and teachers.”
For him, the recognition stands as a message to the Filipino-Chinese Canadian community and younger generations alike: excellence and contribution are not confined by race or circumstance. “We honor our ancestors best when we serve faithfully where we are planted,” he said.
He added that the medal symbolizes the quiet, unseen labor of public service — “the long hours, the hard cases, and the resolve to do what is right even when it is difficult.” He hopes that others will be inspired “to pursue excellence not for acclaim, but for the redemptive good that faithful service can bring.”
with Member of Parliament The Honourable Parm Bains.
Advice to the Next Generation
“To today’s Xavier students,” he shared, “live out the school’s ideals and mission not as slogans but as daily disciplines. Pursue excellence, but let your servant-leadership and humility guide your ambition. Be kind without being naïve, and strong without being harsh.”
He urges young Xaverians to combine skill with integrity, intellect with empathy, and courage with humility. “In every success, remember who you are and whose you are — that your gifts were given for service, not self.”
And above all, he reminds them to hold fast to faith: “In my own journey, I have seen that true justice flows not only from law but from love — love for truth, for people, and for God. That is the heart of a Xaverian life well lived.”
