Two Augustinian Recollects of Chinese origin, Juan Guo and Jose Yan, started three years ago this pastoral care of their fellow Chinese. At first they guided and accompanied their fellowmen who came to their parish to the proper celebration of the Eucharist and the faithful and real living out of the sacraments, which at the beginning was almost impossible because of the problem of language. They later saw the need to hold courses in Spanish for more than 150 Catholic Chinese. “Many of our fellowmen did not have the opportunity and the time to study Spanish,” explains Juan Guo.
“Since they spoke no Spanish everything was difficult, when they had to fill documents; in going to the doctor, etc., and all we wanted was to help them in all their needs. This was made possible because we dedicated our time to this,” assures Jose Yan.
Both agree that this spontaneous chaplaincy which was born in their midst is a form of help and service which has two faces: one that is more religious, helps them to celebrate their faith and to live their Christian life, and the other, consists in collaborating and serving as support to those who work to address the social problems of the Chinese.
Most of them reside in Madrid, especially in the barrio of Usera, where there are more Christians than in any other places. But the services of these Recollects extend to other Chinese Catholics who reside in places like Zaragoza or Toledo. Since in these places there are no chaplains who speak the language and who can attend to their needs in their residences, they come to Madrid once a year and during special occasions.
Most of them reside in Madrid, especially in the barrio of Usera, where there are more Christians than in any other places. Augustinian Recollects
The Order of Augustinian Recollects, which has four centuries of history, has been present in China, in the diocese of Shangqiu, since 1923. In this Asian country they work in various parishes, offering religious and pastoral services to more than 20,000 Catholics in the region.
Four men religious and three women religious compose the team that attends to the Chinese Catholic community in Madrid.
Juan Guo is the first Augustinian Recollect priest coming from the mission in Shangqui. He came to Spain in 2004 and now works in the parish of Santa Rita in Madrid. He studied theology in Spain and was ordained in China. He collaborates in the chaplaincy by giving catechism, celebrating the sacrament of reconciliation and the Holy Eucharist in Chinese.
Juan Guo and Jose Yan clearly see the needs of the community of their countrymen: “We need economic and material help for the pastoral work and for the religious and intercultural fellowship between Chinese and Spaniards.” In fact only the Order extends help to this chaplaincy. It receives no assistance from the diocese or institutions related to the clergy, the mission or the migrants. No help at all, and this makes it more difficult to organize encounters and fellowship among them.
Jose Yan is more specific about this: “More important needs for everyday living: some have no work; others are sick and do not have the money to see a doctor, some do not even have anything to eat. They need help because they do not know the process of preparing their papers, to get residence permits, or any other type of documentation.”
The persons responsible for the chaplaincy are conscious of the difficulty of getting volunteers in Madrid because of the problem of language. But to them it is more urgent to have volunteers who will collaborate with them, especially in extending social services. “For example, the translation and preparation of documents; to accompany the sick to the doctor, etc.”, adds Guo. “We have no persons who can listen and accompany them in their difficulties, in their problems with employment; and in their need to share and talk about their spiritual aspirations” … Yan tries to clarify. “This, for me, is a very important point, the spiritual necessity.”
Among the most important religious needs that the Chinese priests noticed is the lack of materials. They do not have catechetical books in Chinese, biblical studies and spiritual reading.
The other difficulty is the lack of time. They do not have material time to attend to all the Chinese Catholics the way they like. The variety of occupations and the demanding schedule of works make it difficult to gather them for the celebration of sacraments, classes in Spanish or the catechesis. Of the 150 Chinese Christians who are found in the capital, those who participate in the Holy Mass at the parish of Santa Rita would number only from 20 to 40 every Sunday.
They do not have catechetical books in Chinese, biblical studies and spiritual reading. China Church
There are eight to twelve million Catholics in China. The Church lives a very complex situation due to the disagreement between the Chinese government and the Vatican. In this Asian giant live together two Catholic sectors. One is semi-clandestine and although not authorized by the government, is faithful to Rome. The other, the official church, is under the control of the authorities of Peking through the Patriotic Catholic Association since 1957. Religious freedom remains to be one of the pending issues of the Chinese government. And although there are signs of hope, the problem still continues. Pope Benedict XVI has asked all Catholics from all over the world to pray for the Church in China.