China: Walking in faith in Wuhan

Funeral of Xu Yinan

Our correspondent in Wuhan writes: The funeral of Xu Yinan took place this morning in Zhang Jia Tai, a village just beyond the sprawling city of Wuhan. The people of this village often hold their heads high when reference is made to their best known son, Bishop Peter Zhang Boren, the faithful elderly bishop of Hanyang who died in 2005. Steeped in the history of the Church, the people gathered for morning Mass at 7 o'clock, a liturgy celebrated in a modest marquee that had been used as a dining area for people during three days of mourning.

Twice during the summer of last year I had the privilege to visit the home of Xu Yinan. Unable to care for herself for the past four years due to the effects of a second stroke, her husband of over 60 years took care of all her needs, assisted on a regular basis by their visiting daughters and son. In many countries a person living with her physical restrictions would be moved to a nursing home, a setting where full-time care would be available. Xu Yinan's husband and family did ensure that she had full-time care. However, it was provided in the simplest of homes. During the day she sat in her wheelchair at the wide central door that is typical of village homes in central China. As she faced the street, she was at one end of a room that was sparse, its simplicity highlighted by a concrete floor, bare walls, one press and a small table. The main colour in the room was provided by a large poster of the Christ the King facing the main door, supplemented by one photo of her mother-in-law on the same wall.

Six months ago it was easy to see the advantages of her being cared for in her own home. The large open door allowed for regular interaction with those who walked by on the quiet street. Neighbours often sat with her near the door as an occasional hen moved around with a flexible understanding of the boundary between street and home. Visitors also prayed with her.

At the end of four years of severly restricted living, her family gathered around her last week when they perceived a deterioration in her condition. A few times during her last day she seemed to have breathed her last, only to find strength to continue with some new-found energy. Eventually when she did take her last breath, it was described by her family as the moment "when God received her".

As new cases of COVID-19 are being reported in a few northern areas of China, an unexpected announcement at last Sunday's Masses in Wuhan has resulted in the city churches being closed until the end of February, unwelcome news to receive as the baptism of Jesus was being celebrated. Unaffected in the village by the new regulations in the city, this morning's Mass for Xu Yinan was celebrated in the marquee beside her home. Later a fine meal was served for all who were there for the early morning liturgy. As Xu Yinan's cardboard coffin was being moved away from the family home, an outpouring of emotion erupted from her immediate family. Members of the Catholic brass band from a neighouring village played loudly as the mourners began the procession out of the village, the music eventually competing with the multpile rounds of firecrackers that remain part of such occasions in rural areas.

As the people made their way out of the village, they were saying farewell to one of their life long members. Villages in many areas of China have already lost large sections of their younger population, the educational and employment opportunities in the cities proving to be a big attraction for them. Like many villages in China, the future of Zhang Jia Tai faces many challenges. While the unity of the people and their immense faith is still to be seen on the days when people gather for funerals, perhaps it is important to appreciate all that these communities have endured in a world that has changed so fast for them. Their ability to endure so many challenges in recent years is likely to help them negotiate their way through whatever will emerge in the next few years.

Without providing any answers to what the future may hold for the community at Zhang Jia Tai, I think they need to be applauded for the way they supported and walked in faith with one of their own people in recent years. In the most humble of settings and surrounded by family and friends in her time of need, the life of Xu Yinan can help us to understand what is meant by the beautiful line in the Magnificat which says that God "raises the lowly".