In China, in a slump

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Greetings from the former capital of the reactionary Guomindang, the running-dogs of the West:

I’m in Nanjing (Nanking for those who prefer the old British postal name) for a study abroad this semester, and as most of you know, Catholicism is illegal in Mainland China. Thus, I haven’t been able to go to Mass in a few weeks, nor have I been able to go to reconciliation (confession for those who prefer the “old” term), and I’m feeling really discombobulated.

I’m really super busy with my schoolwork, I’ve caught sick (cold, flu, strep throat, mono?), the Chinese diet sucks, I haven’t been able to work out, and as a result I’m having trouble with bad habits again :(.

I’m not entirely sure what I’m asking, maybe I’m not asking anything, but I’m in a real mental, physical, spiritual slump. I try to pray, I like the Chaplet of Divine Mercy the best, but I usually forget and when I don’t, I find it really difficult to focus and not think about all the “stuff” happening right now.

Has this happened to anyone else? I guess I’m asking about how to deal with the spiritual life when the temporal life is so…I don’t know…忙?

Thanks.
 
CAF is the place for you. Please feel welcome to contribute your thoughts and experiences. Also, remember that you can watch EWTN, including the daily Mass, through the Internet.
 
Actually, as far as I know it is OK to attend Mass at patriotic Church. I have a friend in China for mission work, she goes to Mass every Sunday at the patriotic church.

When my son was in college, he went to teach English in China in his freshman summer. It was hard in the beginning but he adjusted. I gave him a book of Scott Hahn’s “The Lamb 's Supper, Mass as Heaven on Earth”, and a pamphlet of how to pray the rosary for the trip. He read the book and started to pray the rosary. That was the benefit for the time of feeling down and lonely. If you like to pray the rosary, Google it online and you will have instructions to follow. If you like the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, remember to pray it, don’t forget. Why not develop a closer relationship with God when you are in a far away land and feel desolated? God is not only in Mass or Confessional, he is with you all the time and waiting for you to turn to him.

Studying abroad is a precious experience. Nanjing is an ancient capital city, there are lot of things to explore outside your classroom. I hope you will full utilize this maybe once in a life time opportunity, be grateful and make the most out of it.

Don’t let 忙 (busy) to be any excuse of not spending time with God. 忙 means 心亡. 心亡 means the death of heart.
 
I wish I were you! I’d love to be back in China and visit with my family there. If you are not Chinese, my impression is that you wouldn’t do well to go to an underground Catholic church, for you would be exposing them. But you would be able to go to a patriotic Church and still receive valid Sacraments. Nanjing is a big city; I think you should be able to find a church, even one where the priest can speak English.

Check out this website for more information on the Church in China: cardinalkungfoundation.org/

Keep you eyes open for more communion with the Chinese Catholic Church. There is a reason you are there! Who knows what exciting things God has in store for you!
 
Oh, by the way, you must not be Chinese, since you said the Chiense diet sucks. Again, I wish I were there in your place.
 
InLight247 said:
Actually, as far as I know it is OK to attend Mass at patriotic Church. I have a friend in China for mission work, she goes to Mass every Sunday at the patriotic church.

When my son was in college, he went to teach English in China in his freshman summer. It was hard in the beginning but he adjusted. I gave him a book of Scott Hahn’s “The Lamb 's Supper, Mass as Heaven on Earth”, and a pamphlet of how to pray the rosary for the trip. He read the book and started to pray the rosary. That was the benefit for the time of feeling down and lonely. If you like to pray the rosary, Google it online and you will have instructions to follow. If you like the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, remember to pray it, don’t forget. Why not develop a closer relationship with God when you are in a far away land and feel desolated? God is not only in Mass or Confessional, he is with you all the time and waiting for you to turn to him.

Studying abroad is a precious experience. Nanjing is an ancient capital city, there are lot of things to explore outside your classroom. I hope you will full utilize this maybe once in a life time opportunity, be grateful and make the most out of it.

Don’t let 忙 (busy) to be any excuse of not spending time with God. 忙 means 心亡. 心亡 means the death of heart.
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Is the patriotic church even a valid Catholic Church in the eyes of the Vatican?
 
Holly3278 said:
Is the patriotic church even a valid Catholic Church in the eyes of the Vatican?
Click to expand...
It is a very complicated situation. As far as I know dialogue has been attempted between the Holy See and the communist government to no avail.

In the last paragraph of No. 4 of the Pope’s Letter to Chinese church, it says that “the solution to existing problems cannot be pursued via an ongoing conflict with legitimate civil authorities … at the same time, though, compliance with those authorities is not acceptable when they interfere unduly in matters regarding the faith and discipline of the Church”.

The Pope, in No. 8 Paragraph 11 of his Letter, says: “Unfortunately, … some legitimized bishops have failed to provide any clear signs to prove that they have been legitimized. For this reason it is indispensable, for the spiritual good of the diocesan communities concerned, that the legitimized bishops provide unequivocal and increasing signs of full communion with the Successor of Peter.”

Some of the patriotic bishops and priests are in secret communion with Rome, but we don’t know who they are. The persecution of Church in China is still real.
 
Argh said:
Greetings from the former capital of the reactionary Guomindang, the running-dogs of the West:

I’m in Nanjing (Nanking for those who prefer the old British postal name) for a study abroad this semester, and as most of you know, Catholicism is illegal in Mainland China. Thus, I haven’t been able to go to Mass in a few weeks, nor have I been able to go to reconciliation (confession for those who prefer the “old” term), and I’m feeling really discombobulated.

I’m really super busy with my schoolwork, I’ve caught sick (cold, flu, strep throat, mono?), the Chinese diet sucks, I haven’t been able to work out, and as a result I’m having trouble with bad habits again :(.

I’m not entirely sure what I’m asking, maybe I’m not asking anything, but I’m in a real mental, physical, spiritual slump. I try to pray, I like the Chaplet of Divine Mercy the best, but I usually forget and when I don’t, I find it really difficult to focus and not think about all the “stuff” happening right now.

Has this happened to anyone else? I guess I’m asking about how to deal with the spiritual life when the temporal life is so…I don’t know…忙?

Thanks.
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Hey! I would like to recommend you to go to Catholic church in Nanjing. As far as I know, the Bishop there is approved by the Holy See. In addition, you need to travel to a lot of places to see how universal the Catholic church is! I’m sure you’ll be impressed by the piety and loyalty that Chinese Catholics show to their faith despite years of persecution and affliction. I heard that the Cathedral of Nanjing is close to a protestant seminary, so a lot of seminarians there also went to Sunday Mass. Therefore it may also be a good place for religious communication. Good luck and Welcome to China! I hope you have a great time there!
 
InLight247 said:
It is a very complicated situation. As far as I know dialogue has been attempted between the Holy See and the communist government to no avail.

In the last paragraph of No. 4 of the Pope’s Letter to Chinese church, it says that “the solution to existing problems cannot be pursued via an ongoing conflict with legitimate civil authorities … at the same time, though, compliance with those authorities is not acceptable when they interfere unduly in matters regarding the faith and discipline of the Church”.

The Pope, in No. 8 Paragraph 11 of his Letter, says: “Unfortunately, … some legitimized bishops have failed to provide any clear signs to prove that they have been legitimized. For this reason it is indispensable, for the spiritual good of the diocesan communities concerned, that the legitimized bishops provide unequivocal and increasing signs of full communion with the Successor of Peter.”

Some of the patriotic bishops and priests are in secret communion with Rome, but we don’t know who they are. The persecution of Church in China is still real.
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Hmmm, if that is the case then I would recommend to any Catholic who must be in China for any length of time to then search out an underground Catholic Church and attend Mass there. I would not want to attend a Chinese Patriotic Catholic Church for fear that I would not be receiving valid sacraments.
 
Holly3278 said:
Hmmm, if that is the case then I would recommend to any Catholic who must be in China for any length of time to then search out an underground Catholic Church and attend Mass there. I would not want to attend a Chinese Patriotic Catholic Church for fear that I would not be receiving valid sacraments.
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Actually, the Vatican recommends visitors** NOT **to seek out the underground Chruch.
 
Holly3278 said:
Hmmm, if that is the case then I would recommend to any Catholic who must be in China for any length of time to then search out an underground Catholic Church and attend Mass there. I would not want to attend a Chinese Patriotic Catholic Church for fear that I would not be receiving valid sacraments.
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I don’t think we understand how complicated the situation in communist China is.

Not wanting to deepen the division of church in China while engaging a dialogue with the government, Vatican does not encourage visitors to seek underground church.

Either the visitor who searches underground church may be arrested, or the underground church may be exposed and destroyed, is not good for Rome’s attempt of establishing a diplomatic relationship with China.
 
Holly3278 said:
Why? Would it not be better to visit an authentic Catholic Church rather than a potentially fake one?
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I would rather take the chance of receiving an invalid Holy Communion, than risk the lives of others trying to protect and save their Church underground.

Being selfish ends where the lives of others are at stake. And in China that risk is very real.

~Liza
 
So I’m feeling better, but I wish I would get over this sore throat and fatigue already.

I know not to seek out an underground community in China. Underground churches exist here so long as the authorities don’t know about them or don’t have a reason to care. A 外国人/foreigner like myself would probably attract attention.

How would one know whether or not the bishop in Nanjing was properly appointed? I’ve heard lots of horror stories about people who have never even been baptized becoming “bishops” in the people’s church, and the like.

I’m feeling a little bit better, like I said, and I’m trying to get into some sort of routine so I can maybe feel “normal” again.

Oh, and this is sorta along the same line: So I’m a single guy…in China…where being Catholic is illegal…in a program where the female:male student ratio is almost 2:1…and uh, what should I do/tell myself when attracted to girls that I am certain I would have no future with?

P.S.

It may be of some interest to people on this forum to know that everyone here hates China’s “one child” policy. Just recently, the government initiated a new policy that allows married couples to have two children if both father and mother are the only children in the family, but people still generally think its unfair.
 
A point to consider: even if there is not proper communion between a specific bishop and the Vatican, as long as they are validly ordained, the Eucharist is valid. You still would be receiving the Holy Sacrament. If you are nor sure if their confession is valid, it is for this very reason that there is a principle of ecclessia supplet, or the “church supplies” the grace to validly absolve.

I have two recommendations. First, go to this legal church and as the priest, being honest about your concerns. Second, PM one of the apologists here and ask their opinion. It is for people like you that this ministry exists. They are pretty sharp about such things.
 
Argh said:
Oh, and this is sorta along the same line: So I’m a single guy…in China…where being Catholic is illegal…in a program where the female:male student ratio is almost 2:1…and uh, what should I do/tell myself when attracted to girls that I am certain I would have no future with?
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Yes there will be lots of temptation. Certainly be strong by drawing close to the Lord. Devotion to our lady by recitation of the Rosary will be most helpful. Remember your goal in life, which is to be holy and serve the Lord. Anything and anybody that does not help you do that you should keep distance from. If you are looking for a mature companion, look for traits of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

It’d be hard to do without confession, if you find yourself falling into temptation.
 
Oh boy.

Permit me yet another update: I’m doing better on the whole, but feeling kinda isolated from the rest of my classmates, even lonely. I’m the oldest of the bunch and I’ve long outgrown that whole “Wahooo! I’m an American studying abroad - it’s party time!” deal, which always leaves me the only one left in the dorms and not trying to get stupid on weekends. [Seriously, is *that hard dealing with a four-day work week?] I’m trying to run on a regular basis and fill my time with non-alcohol related activities to deal with the whole situation, but I’m not sure how to be a part of my class/group without being “that guy.”

Also, I…uhh…have some bad imagery stuck in my head :o. No, it’s not what you think - I didn’t go out looking for trouble - a couple girls answered their doors in “sleeping attire” when I went around asking for help with an essay. Prayer helps, but what else should one do when it’s about time to go to bed and I’ve got that burned into one’s retina?
 
Do you have religious icons or images close to you? If not, you should print some out from the internet, or buy some from a religious store (hard to do while in China), and place them prominently in your dorm, where you can venerate the image at times such as these. God bless you and keep you!
 
You know, I check in here about every thousand years or so (can you say ‘infrequent’?). But today was a day, and China caught my attention. So here we go.

Like all public forums, you get opinions which might be factual. Really, the same thing is true with my post. Be careful.

Here’s what I can add.

There is one Catholic Church in China. The Pope has written helpfully on this matter. If you can find it, read the B16’s 2007 letter to the Church in Asia. See paragraph 10 especially.

Whether your Bishop has publicly professed his loyalty to the Pope or not does not prohibit you from going to Mass in that diocese. The Mass is most likely valid, although it might be illicit. Study that difference. In the Archdiocese of Nanjng, Wiki says the Bishop Francis Xavier Lu X(name removed by moderator)ing was illicitly appointed in 2000 but has since reconciled with the Holy See.

You are, however, dispensed from your Sunday obligation if you cannot find a Mass, or cannot attend because of threats or well-founded concerns for your safety. IANA(C)L (I am not a canon lawyer.) Again, see the Pope’s letter.

Do not attempt to seek out the underground Church. Where that congregation is strong, your presence will likely place them in jeopardy. Personally, I would not do it. While I will not deny my Faith (St. Michael, help me) I don’t think it’s prudent to seek martyrdom, so to speak.

The Catholics I have found in China are a devout bunch. The Chinese Mass is novus ordo. As an English-speaking foreigner I nevertheless participated in such a Mass. The liturgy is in the vernacular. (In my own bias, I used to think that *vernacular *was equal to English.) [SIGN]Wake Up, Ken![/SIGN]

It was soothing to my soul to hear “Corpus Christi!” as the host was presented to me at Holy Communion. We received on the tongue.

So, point one is “Find the Church and go to it, unless you feel threatened.” The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Nanjing (圣母无染原罪始胎堂), also known as Shigu Road Cathedral (石鼓路天主教堂) to the locals, is located at 112 Shigu Road. Nanjing should be a welcoming community. Shanghai certainly is.

Now, point two. Your experience with the young women in nightclothes, a somewhat delicate topic.

Given that men and women are God’s creatures, made for a purpose, specifically created as male and female, it is right, proper, normal and natural that you should find women attractive. Your reaction to the circumstances you described is according to your nature as a human male, and is not entirely within your control (culture norms and education bear on this); keep in mind it is a *good *reaction.

What you do next is your *response *to the reaction. Your response to your reaction and to the situation you present here **is **entirely within your control and may be good or not. You get to decide.

Your response could be any of several: “Wow, hot girl!”, “Whoops, I need to be somewhere else right now” and many others, as I’m sure you can supply yourself.

I would suggest to you that when the image of this person returns to your mind, you should accept it, and thank God for creating us male and female, then thank Him for **all **the beauty you see every day in His creation including this woman. 👍 Her beauty belongs in this world, as does yours and for that matter, mine. As you discern your vocation to married life, you will undoubtedly have the opportunity to meet (and remember) many of His children. It may be helpful to remember that you are always in the presence of God, not for the fear factor that might engender, but to call to mind that we, all of us, exist in His creation, because of His will.

Next time that door opens, you’ll be able to say to yourself “What a beautiful child of God!” Your actions will be appropriate, I am certain.

As a man you have a God-given obligation to protect, defend and lead those in your periphery, especially the women and children you encounter daily. Read about JPII’s Theology of the Body. Increase your understanding of what man should be for woman, and what woman should be for man. Step up to the responsibility.

In your daily prayers, ask Saint Joseph for his intercession for the special graces you need to properly understand and perform your role in the community you now find yourself.

Vivat Jesus!
Ken

“God could have made the world without you in it, but that wasn’t the kind of world He wanted.” Fr. Joe Breighner, Baltimore
 
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