Ferdinand Verbiest (October 9th)

A Chinese Depiction of the Blessed Ferdinand in His Qing Dynasty Attire

By Bp. Joseph (Ancient Church of the West)

Beginnings 

Ferdinand Verbiest, born on October 9th, 1623, in the humble town of Pittem in Flanders, was destined for a life of unique purpose. His journey, intertwined with the movement founded by Matteo Ricci and the Western philosophers in the East, would bring him to the heart of the Qing dynasty in China as tutor to an emperor, a land rich in Confucian wisdom and ancient traditions.

Verbiest's early years were marked by a profound thirst for knowledge and a mystical vision of faith. As a young man, living in a tumultuous Counter-Reformation Europe, he was deeply inspired by the missions of Matteo Ricci, whose spectacular apologia to the Chinese Empire blended Christian theology and Confucian philosophy, made popular by the publications of Athanasius Kircher, paving the way for Verbiest's own journey to the East. These Western missionaries, understanding the importance of the Chinese cultural inheritance, did not preach the centrality of the Pope. They instead conformed their liturgical practices to Ancient Christian norms, finding that which could easily be redeemed for use in the venerable Confucian tradition, and showing that they understood the priority of establishing indigenous missions, which guided the first centuries of Orthodox proliferation in the old Roman Empire. 

The Journey Eastward

In 1659, Verbiest arrived in China, a land whose history and traditions stretched back five millennia. His mission was not only to spread the Gospel but to do so with a profound respect for the local culture in a spirit of genuine appreciation. The Emperor Kang Xi, an enlightened ruler with a keen interest in Christianity, science and philosophy, welcomed Verbiest into his court as a teacher and scientist. This was a time when the great sage Confucius’ teachings started to resonate again with the people, and the Chinese became aware of some of the contradictions that devotion to Buddhist doctrines created within their society. Verbiest teachings and lectures emphasized harmony, respect, and the "rectification of names" (honesty and logic in communications), which allowed Christian Doctrine to rightfully appear as the crown of the Confucian system and the personal messianic figure to which the famous Confucian text, "Lie Zi," pointed! 

Embracing Confucian Wisdom

In the spirit of Confucius' teaching, "To know what you know and what you do not know, that is true knowledge," Verbiest sought to learn from the Chinese sages and to assume parity between East and West, seeing that Christ was revealed in the Far Eastern philosophers' love of virtue and desire to follow the "Son of Heaven." He immersed himself in Confucian texts, Taoist scriptures, and the seemingly serene teachings of Buddhism, which had great sway over the court and were cherished in the countryside by the famers and peasants. By understanding and respecting these ancient philosophies, Verbiest was able to communicate the Christian message in a manner that loudly echoed within the Chinese soul, learning to speak fluent Chinese, and poetically molding his Christian heart to an aesthetically and scientifically pleasing expression that found a great audience amongst the literati.  

Innovations and Contributions

Verbiest's made many scientific contributions to China. As the director of the Beijing Ancient Observatory from 1669 to 1688, he crafted seven bronze astronomical instruments, including the first Chinese thermometer, blending Western ingenuity with Eastern aesthetics. His scientific acumen impressed the Emperor Kang Xi and his scholar-administrators, called "Da Chen," leading to a deeper appreciation of Christian wisdom throughout the Far East. Few people today appreciate that he was one of the first to popularize mathematics in China, and mesh the astronomical and mechanical arts of Europe with the deep tradition of astronomical recording and steam engine inventions that were already present in China. 

An Italian Textbook Image of Verbiest in His Chinese Attire

A Japanese Illustration Showing Verbiest as a Confucian Mage

A Belgian Postage Stamp Featuring Verbiest

A French Royal Tapestry, Showing Verbiest Leading Experiments in the Chinese Imperial Palace

Verbiest's Steam-Powered Car

Verbiest's World Map, Published in China

An Early Steam Toy, Traditionally Used in China, Turned into a Self-Powered Car by Verbiest 

The Development of the Steam Engine into the Modern Model T

The Three Great Fathers of Chinese Technology, Ricci, Schall, and Verbiest, were also Passionate Christian Missionaries with a Love for Traditional Chinese Culture

Liturgical Adaptations

In a move of profound cultural sensitivity, Verbiest and his fellow missionaries designed new liturgical vestments that harmonized with Chinese customs of propriety and honor, in accordance to the principles outlined by Mateo Ricci. These garments, inspired by the elegant robes of Confucian scholars, symbolized the union of East and West. The Western Rite liturgy, infused with the Eastern elements of Confucian and Taoist linguistic and ritual conventions, created a sacred space where the Christian cosmos met in harmony with 5,000 years of ancient Chinese culture. This Chinese Rite was so successful and distinctly moving, jealous Franciscans and Dominicans were enraged by the Chinese Liturgy, attacking the Western Scholars and Missionaries in China as disloyal and blasphemous. This resulted in the censure of the China Mission in 1715, the defrocking of its priests, and in the complete collapse of Roman support for Far Eastern Missions. Those Fathers who stayed in China, rather than submitting to their defrockments, were excommunicated by the Pope but embraced by the Chinese Emperor, where they continued under his protection until they eventually died out. Had the missionaries acquired their own episcopacy at this point, it is easy to speculate that the Chinese would have had their own indigenous Church under Qing sponsorship; but the tight control of the episcopacy by the Franciscans and Dominicans in the East assured that no bishops were consecrated for China, and thus, no Apostolic Succession was established in the Far East. Ricci’s communities, existing after the death of all their priests on the sacrament of Baptism alone, would remain faithful Christians for over a hundred years, until priests were able to return to the country in the early 1800's. 

Chinese Vestments Before the Vatican Reforms

A Legacy of Unity

Ferdinand Verbiest's life is a testament to the power of cross-cultural understanding and the universality of Christ's love. His mission in China, inspired by Matteo Ricci and sustained by a deep respect for Confucian wisdom, continues to inspire enculturated Christian missions worldwide. Through his scientific achievements and his profound respect for Chinese traditions, Verbiest bridged the gap between East and West, illuminating a path of unity and peace.

Collect Prayer

Almighty God, who in thy providence didst see Ferdinand Verbiest become a bridge for the Gospel in China, and didst bestow upon him gifts of insight and understanding; Grant that we, following his example, may seek to bridge the gaps between cultures with love and respect, and may strive for unity and peace among all peoples, for the establishment of Thy Church and the preaching of Holy Orthodoxy worldwide; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.