Ancestors, virgins & friars

Book Description

This groundbreaking exploration reveals how Christianity took root and flourished in Chinese soil, transforming from a foreign faith into something uniquely local and enduring. Rather than viewing Christian conversion in China through the typical lens of cultural conflict or imperial domination, Eugenio Menegon uncovers a far more nuanced story of spiritual adaptation and community building.

Drawing from the living Catholic communities of Fuan county in northeast Fujian, this study illuminates how ordinary people embraced a new spiritual path and made it their own. The author examines the profound questions that drive all spiritual seeking: what motivates people to adopt new beliefs, and how do communities shape religious practice to reflect their deepest values and traditions?

The research reveals that Christianity found its place within China's already diverse spiritual landscape, suggesting that traditional Chinese society possessed a remarkable openness to different religious expressions. This challenges common assumptions about religious tolerance and cultural boundaries in imperial China.

For readers interested in how spiritual traditions cross cultures and take root in new communities, this work offers valuable insights into the dynamic process of religious transformation. The story of Fuan demonstrates how local communities actively participate in creating their own spiritual culture, blending global religious movements with indigenous wisdom and practice.

This scholarly yet accessible examination spans centuries of religious history, offering fresh perspectives on faith, community, and cultural exchange.