Beatification cause for first Catholic in Shanghai begins

The diocese of Shanghai in China will begin the process for the beatification of the first Catholic in the area, Paul Xu Guangqi, whose family has given its name to the area where St. Ignatius’ Cathedral stands today.

Statue of Paul Xu Guangqi

Xu was born in 1562, but left the farming life to study, serving as a minister in the court of the Ming Dynasty. An accomplished mathematician and scientist, he was critical of what he termed a decline in scholarship in these areas, becoming something of a critic of the society of the time.

Italian Missionary Mateo Ricci [in the left] and Paul Xu Guangqi

Xu’s family became the first Catholics in Shanghai. He first met Father Matteo Ricci in 1600 and was baptised three years later, taking the name of Paul. He died in 1633 in Beijing, but was buried near his family home in Xujaihui, the downtown area of Shanghai where the Jesuits later built their headquarters in 1847.

The Tomb of Paul Xu Guangqi at Guangqi Park, Shanghai

He is well remembered in the local diocese today and the name Guangqi is used for many diocesan organisations, including the publishing house, social service centre, formation centre, a school and a home for senior citizens. Father Matteo Ricci’s cause for beatification was reopened in his home diocese of Macerata, Italy, last year. The two worked together on the Chinese version of Euclid’s Elements, which was printed in 1607. Xu also worked with him in translating other western classics into Chinese, as well as Confucian texts into Latin.

In 1603, Xu was baptised, taking the name Paul. However, he was forced to return to his home place in Shanghai in early 1608 to attend his father’s funeral. He invited the Italian Jesuit, Father Lazare Cattaneo, to preach to his family. All the members of his family received baptism. The Nanjing-based priest went on to baptise 200 others as well and the Jesuits came to Shanghai to begin the nucleus of a Church there.

St. Ignatius Cathedral was built in 1847. It was later reconstructed between 1905 and 1910. Designed by the English architect, William Doyle, it is said to have been the grandest cathedral in the Far East.