The Church in China: Chinese Catholic Consecrated Virgins

by Fr. John Li, priest from a northern diocese in China

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Xia Pi Village in Fu'an (福安) City was home to Chen Zidong (陈子东), who later became known as ‘China's First Virgin Flower’. At the age of 12, her parents betrothed her to the Zhao family in Xitian Village, Fu'an City. However, influenced by her Catholic mother, Chen was baptized as a child and vowed virginity. At 18, she formally pledged her virginity to God. However, her fiancé insisted on the engagement and even imprisoned her for seven months to force her to marry. Chen eventually returned to her parents' home and persuaded her father and entire family to become Catholics. From then on, she lived a life of chastity and asceticism at home.

According to research by Sabine Sha in his "History of Christianity in China", the earliest practice of consecrated virginity in China was introduced by the Dominican Order to the Fu'an region of eastern Fujian. In fact, in Catholic tradition, the practice of virginity dates back to the Apostolic Age. From that time, and throughout medieval, modern, and contemporary Europe, women have vowed to dedicate themselves to the Kingdom of Heaven. Consecrated virgins in Catholicism are women who observe celibacy for the sake of the faith and values of the Kingdom of Heaven. Their primary difference from nuns is that consecrated virgins belong to a lay community of believers who only need to take vows of chastity (nuns, on the other hand, must take three vows).

By the mid-18th century, religious chastity among Catholic women in Fujian Province had become a widespread practice. According to statistics, the number of consecrated virgins in Fu'an in 1759 was 250, but by 1890, the number had risen to over 1,000. Beyond Fujian, chastity became widespread in Sichuan, Guizhou, Hainan, Jiangnan, and northern Hubei provinces, all with the spread of Catholicism.

Most consecrated virgins came from Catholic families, influenced by their family atmosphere and committed to chastity. Some came from wealthy families with family support, while others came from lower social classes and had to support themselves through their own labor. The ‘History of Missionaries in Jiangnan’ records the lifestyle of virgins in Shanghai and Hainan, most of whom worked as spinners. In an 1847 letter to his French sisters, a priest wrote: "Our virgins here are all self-reliant, generally living alone within their own family...Outwardly, they are no different from ordinary women, except that they are not required to wear overly flashy or elaborate clothing." Furthermore, some virgins would adopt orphans or foster children of relatives to provide for their later years. Some poorer virgins, lacking a stable source of income, even relied on the charity of their neighbors.

Although these virgins, unlike nuns, lived at home and formed an informal women's organization, they did have their own rules and regulations. The "Rules of Virginity" were a set of rules and regulations that continued into the 20th century. These rules were primarily intended to protect the virgins' chastity and uphold the honor of Catholicism. The 25 Rules included a requirement that virgins must be at least 25 years old to take vows, live in their parents' home, and not leave the house without the permission of their parents and a priest. In their daily practice, these virgins were required to recite the Apostles' Creed, the Our Father, and the Hail Mary three times each.

Beyond their personal integrity, these virgins played a positive role in the spread of Catholicism during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, particularly in missionary work with women and children, becoming missionaries' most effective assistants. Female catechists were a significant feature of the inculturation of Catholicism in China. Although most Chinese women were uneducated, they memorized prayers and used them to educate and nurture others. They also worked in girls' schools founded by missionaries and devoted their passion to various charitable causes, such as medical care and adopting abandoned children. Fr. François Esteve (1807-1848), a missionary in Shanghai in the mid-17th century, praised Chinese virgins: "These virgins perform their work silently and imperceptibly, like angels...These flowers bring great honor to the Church."

In the history of Catholicism in China during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, virgins constituted a special group within the Chinese Catholic Church. Dedicated to serving the Church, they served as catechists, teachers, medical workers, and as caregivers for orphans in orphanages. They made tremendous contributions to the development of Catholicism in China.

As Fr. François Esteve once praised them, they were indeed "beautiful angels." They bore witness to their faith with their lives, bringing Christ to the most vulnerable. The streets and alleys they walked were Christ's, and the fragile lives they touched were touched by Christ. Here, I dedicate this song, "Beautiful Angels," to them, and let us pray for the angels who serve silently in the church today.

美丽天使 Beautiful Angels

作词：李秋峰 作曲：金滇浙

她们抛弃红尘，拥抱内心的宁静， They abandon the mundane world, embracing inner peace.

她们摒弃虚荣，追求心灵的神圣， They reject vanity, pursuing the holiness of the soul.

她们不被世俗困扰，选择真善美的主， They are untroubled by worldly concerns, choosing the Lord of truth, goodness, and beauty.

她们心怀希望，追随光明的道路。 They embrace hope, following the path of light.

她们与天父同行，以青春颂主光荣， They walk with the Father, praising His glory with their youth.

她们与基督共舞，迎接美好的相逢， They dance with Christ, welcoming a beautiful encounter.

她们与十架为伴，守护心中的世盟， They keep the cross as their companion, safeguarding the covenant in their hearts.

她们与真理相拥，共同编织美好生命。 They embrace the truth, weaving together a beautiful life.

啊主，你是她们心灵的归属，Oh Lord, you are their spiritual home.

啊主，你是她们坚定的守护，Oh Lord, you are their steadfast guardian.

啊主，你钉痕双手指引方向，Oh Lord, your nail-scarred hands guide the way.

啊主，请带领美丽的天使踏上征途。Oh Lord, please lead these beautiful angels on their journey.

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Fr. John Li is a priest from a northern diocese in China. To respect confidentiality, names have been changed in this blog.

In service of our mission of mutual understanding, friends of the US-China Catholic Association are welcome and invited to share stories and reflections about history, theology, and the life of the Church in China. To submit your story, please email us at communications@uscatholicchina.org.

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