Search Results

by Tom McGuire, M.Div., M.R.E., USCCA Director Emeritus We celebrate the election of Pope Leo XIV, who greeted the world with these words that carry the hope of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in his first message to the world: “God loves us, all of us, evil will not prevail. We are all in the hands of God. Without fear, united, hand in hand with God and among ourselves, we will go forward. We are disciples of Christ, Christ goes before us, and the world needs His light. Humanity needs Him like a bridge to reach God and His love. You help us to build bridges with dialogue and encounter so we can all be one people, always in peace. Thank you, Pope Francis! ” On April 28, 2025, the Verbiest Foundation in Leuven, Belgium welcomed nineteen Catholic priests from China to begin a program on pastoral leadership, catechesis, and social teaching, including a tour of holy places in Europe. These activities will provide an opportunity for Catholics from Europe and China to build bridges through dialogue and encounter. Pope Francis describes dialogue in Fratelli Tutti: Approaching, speaking, listening, looking at, coming to know and understand one another, and to find common ground: all these things are summed up in the one word, dialogue. Let us pray that the participants, as disciples of Christ, will work in the Light of Christ in the Verbiest Program from both China and Europe to mutually 'build a bridge to reach God', a true way to peace for the world. Click here to read more about the Verbiest Foundation and the 19 Chinese priests joining them in Leuven, Belgium. Tom McGuire, M.Div, M.R.E. is a Director Emeritus of the USCCA. Tom has served as a Maryknoll Missionary in Hong Kong and as Director of Campus Ministry at University of Detroit Mercy. He is now retired, living in Chicago with his family. ---------------------- The USCCA is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. Your donations are tax-deductible to the maximum extent allowed by law. The success of our work depends upon the generosity of people like you.

First-hand testimony by Chiaretto Yan As soon as I arrived in Rome on May 6, I went immediately to the Basilica of St. Mary Major to pray in front of the tomb of Pope Francis: “Holy Father, you once wrote me in a letter, ‘I encourage you to promote dialogue on the paths of reconciliation and peace. I bless you and all your loved ones from my heart.’ Your words are a guiding light for my path forward. You inspired me to complete my book, My Chinese Dream: Dialogues and Encounters with Christianity . Then you passed away, sending us blessings from Heaven. You had always wanted to visit China. I feel you are smiling on us from Heaven, saying, ‘Why are you crying over there? I am already present in China with you!’ I will dedicate my book to you, Pope Francis, for your love for China and the Chinese people. Early in the morning of May 7, I participated in the final Mass at St. Peter's Basilica before the cardinals entered the Sistine Chapel to elect a new pope. Cardinal Re, the dean of the College of Cardinals, presided. In his homily, he urged the cardinals to pray for the Holy Spirit to guide them in choosing a pope who would awaken consciences and strengthen moral and spiritual values. The Mass was a significant moment, as it marked the formal start of the conclave process and the cardinals' search for a successor to Pope Francis. He said: “Let us pray, then, that the Holy Spirit, who in the last hundred years has given us a series of truly holy and great pontiffs, will give us a new pope according to God's heart for the good of the church and of humanity.” On the following day, May 8, black smoke appeared from the Sistine Chapel chimney shortly before noon. I was on my way to where I live, after meeting with my friend, the words “Fumata bianca!” (white smoke) popped up from a WhatsApp group on my cell phone, and messages spiralled. I immediately went to the bus stop on the opposite side of the road. There was much traffic. I was able to jump into a taxi. Many roads were blocked already, the driver dropped me off next to the bridge leading to St. Peter’s. The whole Via della Conciliazione was jam-packed with people clapping and cheering “Viva Papa!” I could see Pope Leo on one of the big screens. It was a moment of enormous emotions. Despite all the excitement, “peace be with you!” were the first words proclaimed by Pope Leo from the balcony, declaring that, just like the Good Shepherd, he would lay down his life for God’s folk as Jesus did. His powerful declaration and Papal blessing echoed from the loudspeakers following the memory of the faint voice of Pope Francis on Easter, making Pope Leo XIV’s blessing ever more powerful, reaching all corners of the earth. Besides this strong message for peace and invitation for us to be bridge builders and instruments of evangelization, he emphasized dialogue, encounters and synodality. After this first blessing “urbi et orbi” of his holiness Pope Leo XIV and the final solemn blessing at the end, I was particularly impressed by his continuity as the successor of Pope Francis and, above all, as the successor of Peter. The Church is guided by the Holy Spirit, and I am ever more convinced of the collective discernment and wisdom of the cardinals who chose Pope Leo. Within one week of his papacy, he welcomed Eastern church leaders gathered in Rome, fostering unity without proselytism. Already as a bishop in Peru, he was famous for ecumenism and interfaith dialogue, serving refugees, the poor and marginalized. In his first weekend as Pope, he paid a surprise visit to the Basilica of St. Mary Major to pray in front of the tomb of Francis, and visited the Marian shrine of the Mother of Good Counsel in Genazzano near Rome. In his first meeting with the press, he thanked thousands of international journalists still gathered in Rome and urged them to be peacemakers, “Let’s disarm our words to disarm the earth.” I had a chance to see him at close distance. He is always attentive to what people say and engages in a dialogue. We also see he dares to speak and act gracefully in this turbulent world of our times. I am looking forward to the inauguration mass of Pope Leo this coming Sunday, May 18, before I depart for China in the evening. I am sure of more amazements and God’s surprises to come. Chiaretto Yan is a contributor to the USCCA blog. He is an author and speaker on topics related to the Church in China. He teaches in a Catholic seminary in Macau and at the National Seminary in Beijing. Orbis Books is planning to publish his book, My Chinese Dream , this year. ---------------------- The USCCA is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. Your donations are tax-deductible to the maximum extent allowed by law. The success of our work depends upon the generosity of people like you.

Statue of Our Lady of Sheshan On May 7, 2007, Pope Benedict XVI wrote a " letter to the bishops, priests, consecrated persons and lay faithful of the Catholic Church in the People's Republic of China ." Since then, Catholics around the wold have celebrated May 24th not only as the Feast of Mary, Help of Christians, but also as a World Day of Prayer for the Church in China. We invite you to join us in requesting that you share an Intercession Prayer with your parish's intercession writer, asking for a petition similar to the one to be prayed at all your parish's Masses on May 24-25: As we prepare for the Feast of Mary, Help of Christians (May 24th), we ask Mary to look with love on the people of China in accordance with her Son's Gospel of truth and love...Mary, Our Lady of Sheshan, help us build bridges of understanding between cultures and traditions...Guide the Church in China to be a leaven of harmony and peace among all its citizens... Foster true friendship and open dialogue that respects both faith and diverse perspectives...That together we may be instruments of Christ's peace through patient listening and sincere encounter... We pray... If possible, sharing this information in your church bulletin would help in spreading the word about this opportunity to cultivate international peace and friendship. ---------------------- The USCCA is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. Your donations are tax-deductible to the maximum extent allowed by law. The success of our work depends upon the generosity of people like you.

In the USCCA's Book Circle discussions, attendees from around the world come to discuss history, Chinese culture, theology, philosophy, and the life of the Church in China. Since January, the Book Circle has been reading John C. H. Wu's Chinese Humanism and Christian Spirituality , available from Angelico Press  for 15% off with the discount code wu15 . Image from Angelico Press On May 24, the Book Circle will discuss pages 77–90 of Wu's work; these pages cover the latter portion of the chapter entitled "The Wisdom of Chuang Tzu: A New Appraisal," starting at the beginning of that chapter's sub-section entitled "Moral Virtues and the Living Fountain." This discussion will be held at the usual Book Circle discussion time: 6 am PT / 7 am MT / 8 am CT / 9 am ET. In May (daylight saving time), this is 9pm Chinese Standard Time. As you read about the wisdom of Chuang Tzu, Book Circle participants are invited to consider the following questions from Book Circle facilitator Kathy Stout: What do you make of Chuang Tzu's description of the ideal person on pages 77-80? How would you evaluate Chuang Tzu's attitude toward culture, civilization, and technology (80-85)? What connections between Chuang Tzu and Christian mysticism strike you as interesting (85-90)? If you have not done so already, please remember to sign up for Book Circle email updates , and to invite your friends to do the same! ---------------------- The USCCA is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. Your donations are tax-deductible to the maximum extent allowed by law. The success of our work depends upon the generosity of people like you.

On this day (May 11) in the year 1610, Venerable Matteo Ricci died in Beijing at the age of 57. Today, his legacy lives on in a multitude of initiatives fostering friendship and dialogue among Catholics in the U.S. and in China. We invite you to read more about this remarkable Jesuit missionary to China at the following links: Catholic Encyclopedia: Matteo Ricci The 2024 Venerable Matteo Ricci Award From Matteo Ricci to Pope Francis: Jesuits and Christian Dialogue in China The Ricci Institute Relocates to Boston College ---------------------- The USCCA is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. Your donations are tax-deductible to the maximum extent allowed by law. The success of our work depends upon the generosity of people like you.

Did you know that the Holy See designated May 1–4 of this year as a Jubilee of Workers? This coincides with China's celebration of Labor Day, which extends from May 1–5. We invite you to read more about the Jubilee of Workers in the informational resources available from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops . Photo of St. Joseph the Worker Church in Macau, China. (Credit: Whhalbert, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons) In the image above, a beautifully crafted fountain welcomes visitors to St. Joseph the Worker Church in Macau, China. How can we glorify God with our work together during this Jubilee Year? ---------------------- The USCCA is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. Your donations are tax-deductible to the maximum extent allowed by law. The success of our work depends upon the generosity of people like you.

On April 26, the USCCA Book Circle discussed pages 59-76 of John C. H. Wu's book, Christian Spirituality and Chinese Humanism . This was the first part of Wu's chapter entitled "The Wisdom of Chuang Tzu: A New Appraisal." Discussion participants wrestled with the often lighthearted and paradoxical insights of the ancient sage of Daoism, Chuang Tzu. Image from Angelico Press Particularly thought-provoking was the idea of the Dao as beyond the limits of verbal expression and dualistic thinking. Dialogue among friends in the USCCA Book Circle drew connections with Eastern Orthodox theology, philosophical trends of the Eastern and Western hemispheres, Buddhist warnings against idolatry, and the deep interconnectedness of all things. The notion of interconnectedness also brought to mind Pope Francis' statement in Laudato si that "everything is interconnected." Indeed, in the wake of Pope Francis' recent passing, Chuang Tzu's consoling reflections on death and dying resonated with a number of Book Circle participants: The Great Cosmos, having in the past clothed me with a body, charged me with the strenuous task of living, and blessed me with a peaceful old age, is now resting me with death. That which has taken such good care of my life will certainly take good care of my death. (p. 75) Through dialogues on mortality and parables such as the Happiness of Fish (see video below), John C. H. Wu's account of Chuang Tzu gave the USCCA Book Circle plenty to think about in April. The Next USCCA Book Circle Discussion will be held on May 24, 2025. For more information, we invite you to subscribe to email updates from the USCCA Book Circle . ---------------------- The USCCA is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. Your donations are tax-deductible to the maximum extent allowed by law. The success of our work depends upon the generosity of people like you.

Did you know that in 2021, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) published a book about Catholics and Catholicism in China and the U.S.? If you are interested in learning more about how Catholics in the U.S. and in China can work together in friendship and dialogue, we invite you to read Partners in Evangelization: Chinese American Catholics , pictured below. This book is currently available from Ascension Press . This Pentecost season, may we remember that together with our brothers and sisters around the world, we are all partners in evangelization. ---------------------- The USCCA is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. Your donations are tax-deductible to the maximum extent allowed by law. The success of our work depends upon the generosity of people like you.

Text from Beijing Catholic Church translated by Gaby, with introductory comments by Tom McGuire Pope Francis called all Catholics to celebrate a Jubilee Holy Year of Hope in the decree called "Hope Does Not Disappoint", with the prayer, "In this Jubilee Year, may no one be deprived of the opportunity to receive God’s forgiveness and consolation.” The Catholic Diocese of Beijing provided these guidelines for Catholics to encourage concrete Catholics to be "leaven of authentic hope, a harbinger of new heavens and a new earth: The Beijing Diocese, in accordance with the 2025 Jubilee Decree: “Hope is not Deceptive," and in collaboration with the Diocesan parish pastoral ministries, intends to solemnly celebrate the Universal Church's "Pilgrims of Hope" and the diocese's "Year of the Family." On December 28, 2024, Bishop Li Shan and all the clergy will officially inaugurate 2024 as a Holy Year with a Thanksgiving Mass at the Cathedral in the North Church in Xishiku. I. Restitution of Diocesan Pilgrimage Site Activities and Jubilee Pilgrimage Churches All Mentougou Housangyu Our Lady Pilgrimage Site activities (pictured right) will be fully reinstated.  During the Jubilee Year, parishes and communities are encouraged to prioritize pilgrimages to the following designated churches within the Beijing diocese:  Xishiku Cathedral,  Xuanwumen church, Wangfujing church, Xizhimen church, Yanqing Yongning church, Tongzhou Jiaohoutuan church,  Mentougou Housangyuc church, Daxing Xihulin church, and Fangshan Lijiao church. Support parish fellowships or group collaborations, arrange cross-group and cross-parish activities, and jointly organize pilgrimages and prayer events. II. Parish (or Community) Celebrations and Arrangements Throughout the Jubilee Year, all parishes should, as much as possible, celebrate Jubilee-specific Masses for pilgrims or groups. Each parish and community should prominently display the Jubilee logo. Faithful should pray the "Jubilee Prayer" (pictured left) before and after mass. Each parish is required to emphasize pre-marital counseling for the faithful to ensure the sanctity and solemnity of the Sacrament of Marriage. Parishes should take opportunities such as wedding anniversaries, silver jubilees, and golden jubilees to organize various forms of group weddings or ceremonies for the renewal of marriage vows. The parish priest should arrange fixed times for confession or designate a regular confessor based on the circumstances and characteristics of the parish, ensuring that the faithful and pilgrims experience forgiveness and receive healing during the Jubilee Year. Parishes and communities with the capacity should regularly hold communal penitential services. Priests should pay special attention to the spiritual needs of home-based parishioners, particularly making available Holy Communion and the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. Promote evangelization in the spirit of “synodality” (cf. Jubilee Decree No. 17).  Establish evangelization teams, provide effective catechumenate classes, and make good use of the laity’s charisms to collectively fulfill the mission of evangelization. III. Jubilee Celebrations for Christian Families Lead Christian family members to participate together in mass and other church activities. Live out the faith in family life by organizing family prayer activities, such as couples' Bible study, family recitation of the Rosary, learning about the faith together, and setting up a family Nativity scene during Christmas. Encourage Christian families to pray and perform acts of charity together, whether as individual families, as couples, or as neighbors (or communities). IV. Emphasize Charity and Renew the Zeal of Christian Families and Communities to Serve Others Each parish and community should leverage its strengths to continue and improve existing charitable works, such as supporting students, assisting the elderly, and helping those in need. Promote the spirit of charity and the tradition of works of mercy. Emphasize "everyday holiness" and strive to be "saints in the world." Regularly visit the homebound, the weak, and the sick, especially "migrant parishioners" who have left their hometowns for work. Use traditional holidays (such as the Spring Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, and Double Ninth Festival) to express the Church's and parish's care and concern for them. Renew the zeal of Christian families and communities to care for others and serve society. For example, strive to become "peacemakers" (Matthew 5:9), fostering harmony, building relationships, and demonstrating fraternity. Be "people filled with the passion to transmit life;" care for brothers and sisters living in difficult situations, and pray for the deceased. May the 2025 Jubilee Year become an opportunity for all parishioners and Christian families to encounter the Lord, cross the Holy Door (Rome) together, and become spiritual leaven, beacons of hope, and havens of protection. Through words and actions, proclaim to the world that all people are "pilgrims" (Leviticus 25:23); that the Lord Jesus is the " Gate " of our salvation (cf. John 10:7); and that Christ is " our Hope " (1 Timothy 1:1). May each of us Christians live by faith, filled with firm hope, and dedicate ourselves in love to serve our brothers and sisters, as we await together the return of our Savior.  Gaby is a friend and contributor to the USCCA Blog. Tom McGuire, M.Div, M.R.E. is a Director Emeritus of the USCCA. Tom has served as a Maryknoll Missionary in Hong Kong and as Director of Campus Ministry at University of Detroit Mercy. He is now retired, living in Chicago with his family. ---------------------- The USCCA is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. Your donations are tax-deductible to the maximum extent allowed by law. The success of our work depends upon the generosity of people like you.

Pope Francis, 1963–2025 The USCCA joins the Church in China, the Church in the U.S., and the global Church in remembering Pope Francis' significant contributions as priest and pontiff. In a speech delivered on the 18th of February 2018 , Cardinal Cupich of Chicago described how Pope Francis' gifts have led to "resituating mercy at the heart of the Gospel." Cardinal Chow of Hong Kong has also expressed his regard for Pope Francis in recent years, even nicknaming him the "Pope of Surprises" in 2023 . As a Catholic News Agency article has recounted, Pope Francis himself "expressed a personal devotion to Our Lady of Sheshan," and held "dream of visiting China and praying at the Sheshan shrine" in China. In light of the USCCA's mission of friendship, dialogue, and bridge-building, we invite you to consider the following two messages from Pope Francis: Communication has the power to build bridges, to enable encounter and inclusion, and thus to enrich society. How beautiful it is when people select their words and actions with care, in the effort to avoid misunderstandings, to heal wounded memories and to build peace and harmony. ~ message for the 50th World Communications Day, January 24, 20 16 It is neither a culture of confrontation nor a culture of conflict which builds harmony within and between peoples, but rather a culture of encounter and a culture of dialogue; this is the only way to peace. ~ Angelus, Sep 1, 2013 May the memory of Pope Francis be a blessing to us all.

by Tom McGuire, M.Div, M.R.E., USCCA Director Emeritus Today, we celebrate Easter in the year 2025. I invite you to read and meditate on five of the Jesus Sutras, Chinese texts from the seventh century, describing Christ’s Resurrection. Christian priests in a procession on Palm Sunday, in a 7th- or 8th-century wall painting from a church in China. The Jesus Sutras introduce Chinese people to Easter as a celebration of the Gospel of Light, a celebration of Hope in Christ’s Resurrection for all people. The Good News of Hope came to China as early as 635 CE as the Religion of Light or the Luminous Religion ( Jingjiao ). Written records, including the Jesus Sutras, of monks from the Eastern Syriac Church were found in an 11th-century secret sealed room in Dunhuang, Gansu Province, China. The Jesus Sutras document the Good News of Jesus within the Chinese cultural heritage of Confucian, Daoist, and Buddhist thought. Syriac monks, in dialogue with Chinese people, successfully translated the Christian message of Jesus as savior into a language and cultural context that was understandable to them. The discovery of the record of profound cultural encounters between Christian monks and Chinese people illustrates ways ‘the light for revelation’ found in Chinese cultural wisdom prepared for Christ’s light in China. The monks’ encounter with Chinese cultural life fulfilled the prophetic message of Simeon: “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel” (Luke 2: 29-32). These quotes from the Jesus Sutras describe from a Chinese perspective “…the appearance of our savior Christ Jesus, who destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Tim 1:10): While his (Jesus’) Five Attributes (form, feelings, perceptions, mental activity and nature of knowing.) passed away, he did not die but was released again after his death. Thus, is it possible for even those who fail to live after death? (Sutra 4:20-21) Those who believe will be raised after death from the Yellow Springs (Underworld) , every one of them. (Sutra 6:14) He died, but after three days he escaped from the hold of death, through the action of the World-Honored One’s qi (life breath) . (Sutra 6:21) Through the holy wonders of the Messiah, all can escape becoming ghosts. All of us are saved by his works. You don’t need strength to receive him, but he will not leave you weak and vulnerable without qi. (Sutra 4:22-24) You may have been taught that people cannot save themselves. This is why the Heavenly Honored One sends the spirit force to all places to save everyone. It goes to all that live and teach the truth. This is different from what the various deities and spirits do. Sutra (7:36-39). Kin Sheung Chiaretto Yan 甄健湘, a friend of mine who teaches in Chinese Catholic seminaries and resides in China, provided the following commentary on the above quotations from the Jesus Sutras. Although I don’t have the original Chinese text of the Jesus Sutras; based on Martin Palmer’s translation, these are my comments... The passages speak precisely of Jesus rising from death. In his resurrection he transformed death to life, weakness to strength. All because of the saving works of Jesus, the fruits of the Holy Spirit, the Qi . Therefore, it actually is a message of Easter Hope. The fact that the Christian teachings brought to China is called in Chinese Jingjiao , the Luminous Religion or the Religion of Light, light speaks to us about love, peace, and hope of the resurrection. I can see from the Jesus Sutras the encounter and the effort of inculturating the Christian message through Oriental Philosophies. For example, using the five attributes from Hindu and Buddhist thoughts, and using the Qi from the dialects of Daoist philosophy.” To read the full article by Kin Sheung Chiaretto Yan 甄健湘 about the Eastern Syriac Church Missionary encounter with the people of China, navigate to "The introduction of Jingjiao to China: A new paradigm of interculturality between Christianity and China" . Quotes from the Jesus Sutras are Martin Palmer’s translations, included in posts by Victoria Emily Jones . Tom McGuire, M.Div, M.R.E. is a Director Emeritus of the USCCA. Tom has served as a Maryknoll Missionary in Hong Kong and as Director of Campus Ministry at University of Detroit Mercy. He is now retired, living in Chicago with his family. ---------------------- The USCCA is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. Your donations are tax-deductible to the maximum extent allowed by law. The success of our work depends upon the generosity of people like you.

On March 20, ChinaSource hosted a free public lecture by Dr. Glen Thompson, Professor Emeritus of Asia Lutheran Seminary in Hong Kong. The topic of the lecture was "China's Earliest Christians: Who Were They and What Can We Learn From Them?" Dr. Thompson's book, Jingjiao: The Earliest Christian Church in China , was recently given an Award of Merit from Christianity Today . Promotional poster for the public lecture We are glad to share that ChinaSource has published the video of this lecture on YouTube. You may watch the lecture by clicking the "Play" icon in the video player below: ---------------------- The USCCA is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. Your donations are tax-deductible to the maximum extent allowed by law. The success of our work depends upon the generosity of people like you.