{"id":231372,"date":"2026-07-21T02:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-21T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fundacioncarf.org\/?p=231372"},"modified":"2026-07-08T11:24:18","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T09:24:18","slug":"jose-chang-seminarista-chino-en-espana","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fundacioncarf.org\/en\/jose-chang-seminarista-chino-en-espana\/","title":{"rendered":"Jos\u00e9 Chang, a Chinese seminarian, upon seeing the Pope in Madrid: \u00abI felt a deep sense of emotion, calm, and peace in my heart\u00bb"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jos\u00e9 Chang is a Chinese seminarian who lives at the Bidasoa International Seminary (Pamplona). This July, he is in Madrid, carrying out summer pastoral work at the San Manuel Gonz\u00e1lez Parish in San Sebasti\u00e1n de los Reyes. \u00abI see a very vibrant life of faith,\u00bb he says. He was \u00abvery fortunate\u00bb to see Pope Leo in Madrid: \u00abI felt great emotion, calm, and peace in my heart,\u00bb he notes. Although the Church\u2019s growth in China faces many difficulties, when he looks back, he sees God\u2019s presence in every moment. Jos\u00e9 shares his testimony with us.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jos\u00e9: A Story of Strength <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At 25 years old, Jos\u00e9 Chang carries with him a story that reflects the quiet strength of thousands of Chinese Catholics. Born on March 10, 2001, in a small village in Shanxi Province, in northern China, He comes from a deeply Catholic family that planted the first seeds of faith in him<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is currently studying theology at the Ecclesiastical Faculties of the University of Navarra and lives in the Bidasoa International Seminar<\/a>, where he continues his training to become a priest in the Archdiocese of Taiyuan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The warmth of a priest who left a lasting impression <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u00abI grew up in a very devout Catholic family,\u00bb he recalls. He is the oldest of four siblings, and from childhood onward, he found an environment at home and in his parish that nurtured his vocation. He speaks with particular affection of the priest who accompanied him for years:<\/strong> \u00abHe looked after me and taught me about the faith with great affection.\u00bb That priestly closeness left a deep impression on his life and helped him discover the path to which God was calling him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Jos\u00e9<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An unexpected proposal from his bishop <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

His formation began at the Minor Seminary in Xi\u2019an in 2019 and continued at the Major Seminary in Beijing. After completing his studies in philosophy and beginning his studies in theology, he received aAn unexpected proposal from his bishop: continue their education at the University of Navarra<\/a>.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The news filled him with excitement, but also with uncertainty. \u00abI didn\u2019t know any Spanish. I was afraid and had a lot of worries about the language, the environment, and the culture\u2014all of which were completely new to me,\u00bb he admits. However, after a few days of reflection, he decided to accept what he considers a calling from God.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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