At the young age of 24, he already felt the calling to priesthood, a vocation that God had planted in his heart since childhood. On March 19, Saint Joseph’s Day, he took a significant step towards this calling by receiving admission to the minor sacred orders in Bidasoa.
«There is still much to do for God and China»
Hailing from the town of Liuhe in northern China, where the Christian population is significant, his journey towards priesthood has not been without its challenges. While the situation for Catholics in his region is relatively easier, other parts of China, especially in the southern regions, still have much room for improvement in terms of religious practices and beliefs due to government restrictions and prohibitions despite efforts to improve relations between the Vatican and the Chinese government.
In his own words, Felipe explains, “In China, Catholics have faced hardships, and while progress has been made in recent years, much more needs to be done. Pope Francis advocates for closer ties, but the Chinese government does not always support this. Some regions still lack bishops and priests, and restrictions remain in place.”
Catholics in China make up 0.46% of the population, with Protestants at 2.06%, Muslims at 0.50%, and Buddhists at 8.96%. Every year, around 40,000 to 50,000 individuals are baptized, with 48 deacons ordained as priests in 2019. The country has 78 active bishops, 4,950 priests, 12 seminaries, 470 seminarians, 4,360 religious women, and around 6,000 churches and chapels.
Educated in the Catholic faith
Born into an archdiocese with a large Catholic population of over 50,000 individuals, Xialong Felipe recognizes the importance of understanding and respecting Chinese culture, traditions, and the unique challenges posed by a communist society in order to effectively spread the message of God.
Both he and his siblings were brought up in the Catholic faith, and at a tender age of six, he felt the calling to priesthood within him. “I vividly recall a day when I attended Mass with my mother at the age of six. I experienced a profound sense of peace within me, and from that moment, I aspired to become a priest. It has always been not just my dream but also God’s will.”
By the age of eight, he started serving as an altar boy, assisting the priest in his parish.
The first Mass of a young priest
During his teenage years, Felipe briefly considered pursuing a career as a music teacher, a passion close to his heart. However, a significant event steered him back on course: “Witnessing the first Mass celebrated by a young priest in my town’s parish made a lasting impact on me. It was then that I realized I had to pursue my calling, and at the age of 16, I entered the minor seminary.”
Evangelization in China
He believes that the key to spreading the message of God in China lies in the exemplary lives led by priests. “Prayer comes first. The faithful need guidance and support from their priests. Practices such as adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and recitation of the Holy Rosary play a vital role in the conversion of our country,” says Felipe.
Admiring the sacrifices made by martyrs to establish and nurture the faith in China, Felipe acknowledges the challenges of being a priest in his homeland but remains steadfast in his faith. With the support of his bishop, he is undertaking his priestly formation at the Faculties of Ecclesiastical Studies at the University of Navarra.
His experience in Spain
Adjusting to life in Spain presented its own set of challenges initially, especially due to the language barrier. Nonetheless, with the guidance of mentors, the rector, classmates, and teachers, Felipe overcame this obstacle and now serves as the organist at the seminary, finding joy in the liturgical practices. He also enjoys exploring various parts of Spain, including Torreciudad, Almería, Zaragoza, and la Javierada. Felipe requests prayers for himself and all the benefactors of the CARF Foundation as he continues his journey towards priesthood, aspiring for more vocations to the priestly life, particularly in China.
