He is already 24 years old and, since he was a child, God made him see his vocation to the priesthood. On March 19, the feast of St. Joseph, he was admitted to minor holy orders in Bidasoa.
He comes from a village in the north of China (Liuhe) with a very high percentage of Christians. In that area the situation for Catholics is easy, because in other parts of the country, as in the south, where there are still many things to improve for the practice of the Catholic religion and those who believe in God, despite the rapprochement between the Vatican and the Government of the People's Republic of China.
"In China we Catholics have suffered a lot. In recent years the relationship has been improving, but there is still much to be done. Pope Francis is encouraging greater rapprochement, but the Chinese government has its problems. Some dioceses in southern China have no bishop and there are very few priests. And there are still prohibitions," he says. Felipe.
The Catholics in China constitute 0.46 % of the population.Protestants 2.06 %, Muslims 0.50 % and Buddhists 8.96 %. The number of people baptized each year varies between 40,000 and 50,000.; 48 deacons were ordained priests in 2019. There is a total of 78 active bishops, 4,950 priests, and 4,950 priests., 12 seminars, 470 seminarians, 4,360 religious sisters and some 6,000 churches and chapels.
Xialong Philip has had the good fortune to belong to an archdiocese with a large number of Catholics: more than 50,000. However, he is aware that, in order to evangelize God, one must first internalize the customs of the Chinese culture, the particular traditions of each province and overcome the peculiarities of today's communist China.
Both he and his two brothers were brought up in the Catholic faith. At the age of six, he already sensed his vocation within himself: "I remember one day I went to Mass with my mother. I was six years old. I felt so much inner peace, and from that day on I wanted to be a priest. It has always been God's dream and mine!".
A year later, before he was eight years old, he began serving at the altar helping the priest of his parish.
However, as a teenager, he began to consider another way of life, such as becoming a music teacher, a passion he loves. But this uncertainty did not last long. Another fact marked him forever in his vocation: "I attended and helped as an acolyte in the first Mass of a young priest in the parish of my village. That made an impact on me. Then I realized that I had to continue with my dream, and I entered the minor seminary at the age of 16".
In his opinion, the key to evangelization in China is the good example set by priests. "The first thing is prayer to God. Then, the example of the priests, accompanying the faithful and supporting them. Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament and the holy Rosary are also two indispensable practices to achieve the conversion of my country".
Philip greatly admires the martyrs who have sown the seed of evangelization in China. "I know that being a priest in China is very difficult, but I am not afraid. God will give me Grace and the Holy Spirit will guide the faithful in my country," says Wang who, sent by his bishop, is preparing to be a good priest at the Faculties of Ecclesiastical Studies of the University of Navarrawhere he receives an integral formation.
He admits that the first year in Spain was hard without knowing any Spanish at all. But, thanks to the trainers and the rector, along with classmates and teachers, the language is no longer an obstacle.
"The formation of Bidasoa is very good and the liturgy is impressive. Now I am the organist of the seminary and I am very happy". He is also enjoying the trips around Spain: Torreciudad, Almeria, Zaragoza, the Javierada... "Pray for me as I do for all the benefactors of the CARF Foundation, so that God, the Lord, may continue to raise more vocations to the priestly life, especially in China".
Marta SantínJournalist specializing in religious information.
