Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Agenzia Fides) – Fr. Matteo Ricci, the missionary par excellence, will be presented at the Shanghai Expo 2010. This is what Bishop Claudio Giuliodori of Macerata said in a press conference for the presentation of the display “To the Heights of History. Matteo Ricci (1552-1610): Between Rome and Peking” and in its inauguration, which occurred on the afternoon of Thursday, October 29 in the Vatican, in the presence of numerous Church and civil authorities, diplomats, and journalists. During the inauguration of the display, Bishop Giuliodori also mentioned that the “committee promoting the anniversary celebrations of Fr. Ricci” had been received in an audience with the Holy Father that same morning. The great Jesuit from Macerata, the most beloved and respected in China, is once again on the missions, with his method founded on a solid Christian faith, always filled with spirituality and the Jesuit charism, endowed with great respect and good will.
“A precursor, centuries ahead of time, of the II Vatican Council, although not always understood by all...following the example of Saint Paul...” This was how Matteo Ricci was described by Cardinal Giovanni Lajolo, President of the Pontifical Commission for the Vatican City State and President of the Governatorate, who also spoke during the inauguration of the display. Cardinal Lajolo highlighted inculturalization and gradual progress as the criteria used by Matteo Ricci in evangelization, also affirmed in the Conciliar Decree Ad Gentes. “Not only Macerata, Italy, and the Church received so much from him...but even China, where he was named 'Li Ma Dou.'”
Bishop Giuliodori then remarked that Matteo Ricci is “a very relevant model” today, in spite of the fact that he lived 400 years ago, he helps us “to face the future.” Jesuit Fr. Federico Lombardi, Director of the Holy See Press Office, commented during the conference that his fellow brother in the congregation “deserves to be known for his missionary genius, for his spiritual and moral stature, for his openness and cultural long-sightedness,” calling for progress to be made in his cause for beatification.
The display located in the Charlemagne Wing of the colonnade in St. Peter's Square, will be open October 30, 2009-January 24, 2010. There are paintings, printed materials, maps, globes, astrolabes, and manuscripts of Fr. Ricci, along with other precious objects of the era. During the celebrations for the 4th Centennial Anniversary of the Jesuit missionary's death, there will be various activities, displays, conferences...Among the most significant will be the audience of the Holy Father with the Bishops of Marche, on May 29, 2010; the Diocese of Macerata's pilgrimage to their compatriot, in Beijing, in July 2010; a Conference at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, in March; four displays recalling the great Jesuit missionary: February 9 in Beijing, in Nan Jing, Shanghai (at the Expo), and Macao, where Fr. Ricci landed and established his mission, which he always called a “great venture.” (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 30/10/2009)
