Deeds of the 'First Miraculous Missionary' in Ming China: Francesco Sambiasi
- Format:
- Journal Article
- Year:
- 2013
- Journal Title:
- Journal of Macau Studies
- Volume:
- 70
- Issue:
- 3
- Language:
- Abstract:
Francesco Sambiasi was a core figure of the Roman Catholic missions in China in the late Ming dynasty. He served as a missionary for 40 years, between 1610 and 1649, and had resided in various places in China, such as Macau, Beijing, Nanjing, Shandong, Anhui, Henan, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Guangdong and Fujian. Thanks to his exceptionally strong interpersonal skills, he managed to convert thousands of Chinese into Catholics, mostly literati and officials. Francesco Sambiasi also found philanthropic organisations and churches, and had profound knowledge in astronomy, geography and mathematics. His skills in producing instruments and cannons, as well as his close connections with the Chinese political circle had made him to become a very special envoy of the Imperial Court to Macau to seek for military assistance. His role in history even exceeded those of Matteo Ricci and Johann Adam Schall von Bell.
- Who (Jesuits):
- What (Subjects):
- Where (Locations):
- When (Centuries):
- Page Range:
- 100–138
- ISSN:
- 0872-8526