Matteo Ricci

Little over four centuries ago an Italian Jesuit by the name of Matteo Ricci, who died in 1610, lived as a missionary in China. At the time he wrote in his letters: " in all things I adapted myself to them", a clear reference to the people of this nation, but also a key to understanding the way Ricci understood his mission.
Fellow Jesuit Father Felix Körner heads the Faculty of Missiology at the Pontifical Gregorian University here in Rome. Veronica Scarisbrick sat down with him in our studios in an effort to find out more about this charismatic character.
In this interview Father Körner highlights two of Ricci's convictions, first of all : "..his deep love and respect shown to the Chinese by the beautiful language used ...by the quotations he made.. ", which led the Chinese to feel he understood their rich cultural heritage to be a treasure trove to be shared with the whole human family. Secondly : "...his deep love and conviction that the presence of Christ transforms everything and can also transform Chinese culture ..."
Ricci's is an example and encouragement, for his fellow Jesuits today, who were recently asked by Benedict XVI to ".. be where the frontiers of today are ..."
Listen: