He is already 24 years old and, since he was a child, God made him see his vocation to the priesthood. On March 19, Saint Joseph’s Day, he received admission to the minor sacred orders in Bidasoa.
«There is still much to do for God and China»
He comes from a town located in northern 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, such 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, Catholics have suffered a lot. In recent years the relationship has been improving, but there is still much to do. Pope Francis is promoting greater rapprochement, but the Chinese Government objects. Some dioceses in southern China have no bishop and very few priests. And there are still prohibitions”, says Felipe.
Catholics in China make up 0.46% of the population, Protestants 2.06%, Muslims 0.50% and Buddhists 8.96%. Those baptized each year range between 40,000 and 50,000 faithful;48 deacons were ordained priests in 2019. There are a total of 78 active bishops, 4,950 priests, 12 seminaries, 470 seminarians, 4,360 religious women and about 6,000 churches and chapels.
Educated in the Catholic faith
Xialong Felipe has been very lucky to belong to an archdiocese with many Catholics: more than 50,000. However, he is aware that, to evangelize God, one must first internalize the customs of Chinese culture, the particular traditions of each province and overcome the peculiarities of current communist China.
Both he and his two brothers were educated in the Catholic faith. At six years old, he already perceived his vocation within him: “I remember one day when I attended Mass with my mother. He was six years old. I felt a lot of inner peace, and from that day I wanted to be a priest. It has always been God’s dream and mine”!
A year later, before he turned eight, he began serving at the altar helping the priest of his parish.
The first Mass of a young priest
However, in adolescence he began to consider another way of life such as being a music teacher, a passion that he loves. But this uncertainty did not last long. Another event marked him forever in his vocation: “I attended and helped as an acolyte at the first Mass of a young priest in the parish of my town. That shocked me. Then I realized that I had to continue with my dream, and I entered the minor seminary at the age of 16″.
Evangelization in China
In his opinion, the key to evangelization in China is the good example of priests. “First, prayer to God. Then, the example of the priests, accompanying the faithful and supporting them. Also, adoration before the Blessed Sacrament and the Holy Rosary are two essential practices to achieve the conversion of my country”.
Felipe 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 of my country,” says Wang, who, sent by his bishop, is preparing to be a good priest at the Faculties of Ecclesiastical Studies at the University of Navarra, where he receives integral formation.
His experience in Spain
He admits that the first year in Spain was hard without knowing absolutely any Spanish. But, thanks to the trainers and the rector, together with classmates and teachers, language is no longer an obstacle.
“Bidasoa’s training is very good, and the liturgy is impressive. Now I am the organist of the seminar, and I am very happy”. He is also enjoying trips through Spain: Torreciudad, Almería, Zaragoza, la Javierada… “Pray for me as I do for all the benefactors of the CARF Foundation, so that God, the Lord, continues to raise more vocations to the priestly life, especially in China”.
