Pope Francis has recently expressed his desire to travel to China and visit the Shrine of Our Lady Help of Christians of Sheshan in Shanghai.
A country in which, according to the latest statistics published by the Holy See, 0.01% of its population is Catholic (14,000,000 people).
The Augustinian Recollect Missionary Sisters (MAR) have been carrying out an important evangelizing work in the Asian country since their beginnings in 1931.
Teresita Lu is a young Chinese woman who came to know the MARs and their missionary work several years ago.
Since she was a little girl, her life has been marked by a deep devotion and she has felt the call to give her life to God through a religious vocation.
In fact, she is in the aspirant stage to become an Augustinian Recollect missionary and has moved to Spain to prepare herself.
Teresita answered our questions about her experience with the MARs and what it is like to be a young Catholic in China.
How did you discover your religious vocation in a country where Catholicism is a minority?
Although Catholics are a minority in China, the faith is passed down from generation to generation.
My grandparents and my mother are Catholic, so I was baptized when I was two years old, and I have always believed deeply in the Lord.
How does a Catholic live his faith and the sacraments in a country like China?
In China, Catholics usually attend mass in churches, worship the Eucharist, pray individually or in groups, recite the Rosary, read books related to the faith, may also make pilgrimages to churches in various places, etc.
There are faith and spirituality courses available in some places where conditions permit.
In addition, some go to remote villages and rural areas to share the Bible or faith experiences.
What challenges have you faced as a Catholic in China and how have you maintained your faith?
Well, the environment in which we live is not very optimistic, and yes I have faced many difficulties: the prejudices of the people around me for being Catholic or the desire to learn more about the Bible and Catholic doctrine but being a bit restricted… it’s just that the ways to acquire it are still insufficient. 
I also have no one to ask for help when I have difficulties in prayer, and many times I have felt lonely for not having a group to share my faith with.
I try to overcome it, and for this I pray the Rosary every day, participate in mass, pray frequently, read the Bible and am always looking for spiritual courses.
“They are always so satisfied, happy and are willing to give. They constantly inspire me.”
How has your experience with the Augustinian Recollect Missionary Sisters been?
I have now spent about half a year with them in Spain.
In this time I have enjoyed being with the sisters.
They have made me feel connected, loved, accepted, respected and free.
I can see their love for Jesus.
They are always so satisfied, happy and willing to give.
They inspire me constantly.
Why did you go to Spain and how was your arrival?
What impressed you the most?
Because I felt that God was calling me to be a missionary nun, I wanted to join them, the Augustinian Recollect Missionary Nuns, so I came here.
I took a flight from Beijing to Madrid, which took a long time, it was a long flight, but it was very nice.
What has impressed me the most without a doubt is the sky here.
The sky is always so blue, the clouds, the sunrises and sunsets are fabulous.
“I believe the Lord will guide me to gradually leave my old self behind and create a new version of me.”
What do you think is the mission God has planned for you?
I will never forget when Jesus asked me in a prayerful moment, “Are you willing to give up everything and follow me?”
Although I don’t know what kind of work I will do or where I will be, I believe that the Lord will guide me to gradually leave my old self in all aspects and create a new version of me.
What message would you give to other young Catholic women in China who also feel called to religious life?
What I would like to share with them is to please pray constantly and devoutly ask for the help of the Virgin Mary.
If you feel the call of God, do not be afraid of the outcome, dare to try and do not feel trapped by your age.
Pope Francis has expressed his desire to visit China, what do you think this meeting could mean for the Christian community in the country?
We are very much looking forward to Pope Francis’ visit to China!
I believe it will be a great encouragement and comfort to Chinese Christians, and make us feel more connected with the whole community.
We have been sincerely praying for that day to come soon.
“Zǒng yǒu yītiān, fēng pòlàng érlì, zhímiàn cānghǎi.”
Is there a Chinese expression that you particularly like and can share with us?
I like a poem by Li Bai from the Tang Dynasty: Zǒng yǒu yītiān, fēng pòlàng érlì, zhímiàn cānghǎi, which means there will be a time when the wind will break the waves, and you can hang your sails straight across the sea.
Because you remind me that, although there are many obstacles in the way, there will be a day when we can break a thousand miles of waves and reach the shore.