Father Theophile Verbist was born in Antwerp, Belgium in 1823. He was ordained as a diocesan priest in 1847, became a prefect in the minor seminary in Malines a few years later, and subsequently a chaplain at the Belgian Military Academy in 1853.
At the age of 37 years, he first thought of becoming a missionary. He felt that he too should do something more for the poor and needy, especially the orphans in China.
In 1865, undeterred by many obstacles, he went to China with only four companions, arriving in Xiwanzi (Chongli Xian, North of Zhangjiakou) in December 1865. CICM was invited by the Holy See to take over the care for the mission of Inner Mongolia from the Vincentian Fathers. That included the whole of Inner Mongolia. Fr. Verbist was the superior of the Mission. Xiwanzi, a small village with about 1000 Catholics was then the centre of Church activities in Inner Mongolia. Already since the 18th century Christians who escaped from persecutions in Beijing had found refuge there. By the 19th century Xiwanzi had grown into the most important and flourishing Catholic mission in North China.
Upon their arrival in Xiwanzi, even though they were not yet acquainted with the Chinese language Fr. Verbist and his companions started to work immediately for the poor and needy, attending to an orphanage and school, as well as a seminary. But they received the help of Fr. Matthew Xue (Xue Madou), Fr. Jacobus Zhang (Zhang Yage) and other Chinese priests. Still they faced many difficulties. Already two years after their arrival one of the four CICM pioneers died of Typhus. He had become sick while caring for sick Christians in Xiamiaogou (下庙沟)in East Mongolia (Jehol).
In Feb 1868, Fr. Verbist undertook his first long Mission visit to the Tiger Valley (老虎沟) near Chengde in East Mongolia 300 km away. Just like Xiwanzi in Mid-Mongolia, also Tiger Valley became since the 18th century a refuge for Christians fleeing persecutions. In 1844 the Lazarist superior Msgr Mouly had bought a terrain there and since then there was a little church community with church building in Tiger Valley.
Fr. Verbist, sitting on a horse cart braved severe winter weather of 25 C below zero, harsh terrain, icy roads, dreadful mud lodging as he travelled on his first long mission visit. He had left Xiwanzi in good health but he arrived a sick man in Laohugou 11 days later (instead of the planned six days). He had become seriously ill with typhus. Christians saw that his situation was critical. They took care of him and sent a messenger to inform the nearby priest. Mathias Zhang Ching-xiu, parish priest of Ku Li Tu, 400 km north of Laohugou arrived, after more than 4 days on horseback, arrived just in time to give him the last sacraments. Fr. Verbist died on Sunday Feb. 23, 1869. He was less than 45 years old and had been a missionary in China for only 27 months.
Fr. Verbist was buried inside the old church of Laohugou. In 1931 his remains were brought back to Belgium and solemnly brought from the port of Antwerp to Scheut, the mother house of CICM. There his Chinese tomb is even today often visited by pilgrims from China.
The early loss of its founder was a terrible setback for the young CICM congregation. Nevertheless the CICM missionaries courageously continued the mission started by Verbist and the 4 pioneers.
During the following years – until 1948 -- a total of 679 CICM missionaries came to China in the footsteps of Fr. Verbist. They took care of evangelization in the whole of North China: East Mongolia (Jehol Province) Middle Mongolia (Xiwanzi), S-W Mongolia (Suyuan & Ningxia), Datong, Gansu, Qinghai, Xinjiang. In those rather undeveloped areas the CICM missionaries spread the gospel and opened hundreds of primary schools, many secondary schools and even a Teachers College. They opened a large Catholic hospital in Hohhot and many local clinics. Most important of all they contributed to the development of these areas by their agricultural projects. Using the water of the Yellow River they irrigated thousands of hectares of land allowing the local farmers to develop the land. Several among them became self-made experts in the study of the Mongolian language and culture.
Fr Verbist was never canonized, but the expansive growth of CICM since its foundation is a witness to his love and work and the inspiration and power of the Holy Spirit within him. Today the bishops, priests and faithful in North China continue the same work in the same spirit. CICM missionaries and Verbiest Foundation in Leuven and Taiwan remain united with them. Together we commemorate Fr. Verbist in the spirit of “Cor Unum et Anima Una” (One heart, one spirit) which is the motto of the CICM congregation.
“The old Catholic village Xiwanzi”
“The old Church of Laohugou with Christians”
“The Church in Belgium celebrating the arrival of the remains of father Verbist in 1931”
“Archbishop Tikang of Taipei and Bishop Pius Jin of Shenyang (China) at the tomb of father Verbist in Scheut (Belgium)”
At the age of 37 years, he first thought of becoming a missionary. He felt that he too should do something more for the poor and needy, especially the orphans in China.
In 1865, undeterred by many obstacles, he went to China with only four companions, arriving in Xiwanzi (Chongli Xian, North of Zhangjiakou) in December 1865. CICM was invited by the Holy See to take over the care for the mission of Inner Mongolia from the Vincentian Fathers. That included the whole of Inner Mongolia. Fr. Verbist was the superior of the Mission. Xiwanzi, a small village with about 1000 Catholics was then the centre of Church activities in Inner Mongolia. Already since the 18th century Christians who escaped from persecutions in Beijing had found refuge there. By the 19th century Xiwanzi had grown into the most important and flourishing Catholic mission in North China.
Upon their arrival in Xiwanzi, even though they were not yet acquainted with the Chinese language Fr. Verbist and his companions started to work immediately for the poor and needy, attending to an orphanage and school, as well as a seminary. But they received the help of Fr. Matthew Xue (Xue Madou), Fr. Jacobus Zhang (Zhang Yage) and other Chinese priests. Still they faced many difficulties. Already two years after their arrival one of the four CICM pioneers died of Typhus. He had become sick while caring for sick Christians in Xiamiaogou (下庙沟)in East Mongolia (Jehol).
In Feb 1868, Fr. Verbist undertook his first long Mission visit to the Tiger Valley (老虎沟) near Chengde in East Mongolia 300 km away. Just like Xiwanzi in Mid-Mongolia, also Tiger Valley became since the 18th century a refuge for Christians fleeing persecutions. In 1844 the Lazarist superior Msgr Mouly had bought a terrain there and since then there was a little church community with church building in Tiger Valley.
Fr. Verbist, sitting on a horse cart braved severe winter weather of 25 C below zero, harsh terrain, icy roads, dreadful mud lodging as he travelled on his first long mission visit. He had left Xiwanzi in good health but he arrived a sick man in Laohugou 11 days later (instead of the planned six days). He had become seriously ill with typhus. Christians saw that his situation was critical. They took care of him and sent a messenger to inform the nearby priest. Mathias Zhang Ching-xiu, parish priest of Ku Li Tu, 400 km north of Laohugou arrived, after more than 4 days on horseback, arrived just in time to give him the last sacraments. Fr. Verbist died on Sunday Feb. 23, 1869. He was less than 45 years old and had been a missionary in China for only 27 months.
Fr. Verbist was buried inside the old church of Laohugou. In 1931 his remains were brought back to Belgium and solemnly brought from the port of Antwerp to Scheut, the mother house of CICM. There his Chinese tomb is even today often visited by pilgrims from China.
The early loss of its founder was a terrible setback for the young CICM congregation. Nevertheless the CICM missionaries courageously continued the mission started by Verbist and the 4 pioneers.
During the following years – until 1948 -- a total of 679 CICM missionaries came to China in the footsteps of Fr. Verbist. They took care of evangelization in the whole of North China: East Mongolia (Jehol Province) Middle Mongolia (Xiwanzi), S-W Mongolia (Suyuan & Ningxia), Datong, Gansu, Qinghai, Xinjiang. In those rather undeveloped areas the CICM missionaries spread the gospel and opened hundreds of primary schools, many secondary schools and even a Teachers College. They opened a large Catholic hospital in Hohhot and many local clinics. Most important of all they contributed to the development of these areas by their agricultural projects. Using the water of the Yellow River they irrigated thousands of hectares of land allowing the local farmers to develop the land. Several among them became self-made experts in the study of the Mongolian language and culture.
Fr Verbist was never canonized, but the expansive growth of CICM since its foundation is a witness to his love and work and the inspiration and power of the Holy Spirit within him. Today the bishops, priests and faithful in North China continue the same work in the same spirit. CICM missionaries and Verbiest Foundation in Leuven and Taiwan remain united with them. Together we commemorate Fr. Verbist in the spirit of “Cor Unum et Anima Una” (One heart, one spirit) which is the motto of the CICM congregation.
by Jeroom Heyndrickx cicm
“The old Catholic village Xiwanzi”
“The old Church of Laohugou with Christians”
“The Church in Belgium celebrating the arrival of the remains of father Verbist in 1931”
“Archbishop Tikang of Taipei and Bishop Pius Jin of Shenyang (China) at the tomb of father Verbist in Scheut (Belgium)”