February 23, 2018 marked the 150th anniversary of the death of Fr. Theophile Verbist (1823-1868), founder of CICM, after a mission trip from Xiwanzi to Laohugou (Tiger Valley), both in today’s Hebei province (China). The trip was due to a pastoral animation visit to the mission areas entrusted to the CICM. Under extreme weather conditions (-25C degrees) and harsh mountainous terrain, it took him around 11 days in a horse cart, instead of the planned 6 days, to complete the almost 300 Km trip. Today a good paved road eases the trip to a bit less than 7 hours. Affected by Typhus he arrived to Laohukou in such condition that the faithful went in search of a nearby (400km away) priest for the last rites, which were administered upon arrival 4 days later and just before his death.
To honor his memory as missionary and founder, Verbiest Association organized on February 25, Sunday, a Memorial Mass at St. John Parish-Chinese Martyrs pilgrimage site (New Taipei City) under the care of CICM. At the end of the mass there was a simple Chinese traditional ceremony to pay respects to Theophile Verbist, offering fruits, wine, flowers and incense. The mass was followed by a presentation by Prof. Ku on the person of Theophile Verbist and the CICM mission work in Inner Mongolia and nearby areas from their arrival in 1865 until their expulsion by Chinese authorities after the foundation of the People´s Republic of China.
Verbiest Association also hold a book fair with a 15% discount for CICM and Verbist related books.
A similar activity will be hold on March 4 on the CICM parish of The Rosary, in Taipei City’s Wanhua district from 9:00 to 12:00. Also, from February 2 to March 3 there will be a 15% discount for Verbiest selected titles at St. Paul bookstore at Zhongxiao west Rd.
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