Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Xian Xian (Agenzia Fides) – On the occasion of the Year of the Priest, Agenzia Fides would like to offer several impressive testimonies of humble Chinese priests who have dedicated and continue dedicating their life to the Gospel, in spite of their illnesses or advancement in age.
“We have seen Christ Himself reflected in Fr. Jin Feng Xhi.” These are the words of the faithful from the parish of Long Tun, in the Diocese of Xian Xian (today, Cang Zhou), a model parish for the evangelization of the diocese. “A sick and elderly priest who walks with a cane and always carries a pack of holy cards and copies of the Bible on him,” was how the parishoners described their parish priest, 68-year-old Fr. Jin, ordained in 1985. He is naturally a quiet person but when he starts talking about Jesus, he turns into a chatterbox. He has been working in this parish for over 20 years, ministering to over 200 towns. He often says: “I am a common sinner. If I have been able to do anything, it has been thanks to the Lord, thanks to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. I can never allow myself to steal credit from the Lord.” Prior to 1985, there were only around 200 people living around here, scattered among a dozen villages and with no church. Today, there are 200 villages with over 5,000 faithful and some 20 churches. Hanging on the wall in the humble abode of Fr. Jin, is a map showing how many baptisms have taken place in the past 8 years: 97 in 2002, 249 in 2003, 291 in 2004, 387 in 2005, 488 in 2006, 580 in 2007. Last year, after the intense examinations given by Fr. Jin, in an effort to improve the preparation of catechumens, 345 people were baptized. This past Easter 2009, there were 280 baptisms. Thanks to his example, a group of catechists has been formed to announce the Gospel, just like the Apostles who followed Jesus.
When someone asks to be received into the Church or wants more information on faith-related issues, Fr. Jin immediately drops whatever he is doing (even if he is eating or giving himself his injection for his diabetes) and attends to the person in need. He never accepts an invitation to eat with others, because he says “if a priest smokes, drinks, or eats with others, he does not promote the mission of evangelization. The poor, who do not have the means to invite us and want to know more about the faith might be discouraged in approaching us.”
Three years ago, heavy rains had washed out the road that connected with one of the towns. A farmer had already made an appointment to meet with Fr. Jin a week before, to better know the faith, and he did not let the bad weather stop him. The farmer's family saw Fr. Jin arrive completely soaked and full of mud, walking with his cane. He had walked 15 km in the pouring rain. Today, this family and some of their neighbors are Catholics. Every time the faithful bring eggs, fruit, or sweets to Fr. Jin, all the goods end up in the Rest Home or the child care center.
Forming the faithful is his top priority, as “today, the people receive very little education and if the faithful are not well-formed, how are we going to evangelize others?” In the past, he always used to give out holy cards and medals to the newly baptized. Today he always gives them the Bible, spiritual books, or other Catholic publications. In 2009, there were 280 subscribers for the Catholic journal “Faith” from his parish alone. His faithful pray and hope that he will remain with them many years, working in the Lord's vineyard in the Parish of Long Tun, with his stooped figure, leaning on his cane, with his packet of holy cards under his arm, with a cloth bag with a piece of stale bread and some water. This priest is one of the many secrets behind the evangelization of Long Tun. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 17/6/2009)
