Matteo Ricci

In 1582, Father Alessandro Valignano called Matteo Ricci to Macau to prepare for the entry of the Society of Jesus into mainland China. Ricci applied himself to the intensive study of Mandarin and the Confucian classics. In September 1583, with Father Michele Ruggieri, he settled in Zhaoqing. To integrate, they first adopted the habit of Buddhist monks, then in 1594-1595, Ricci donned the silk robe of the literati (shenshi) and took the name Li Madou. His method was based on inculturation and scientific dialogue. In 1584, he published a first world map in Chinese characters, perfected in 1602 under the title Kunyu Wanguo Quantu. In collaboration with the scholar Xu Guangqi, he translated the Elements of Euclid (1607). He also wrote treatises such as the Treatise on Friendship (1595) and The True Meaning of the Lord of Heaven's Doctrine (1603). In January 1601, he entered Beijing. Emperor Wanli granted him the right to reside in Beijing, to open a chapel there, and to preach. Matteo Ricci died there of exhaustion on May 11, 1610, and was buried in the Zhalan cemetery thanks to an exceptional imperial concession.

Matteo Ricci's reputation for holiness and wisdom was established immediately upon his death, both among Chinese Christians and non-Christian scholars. However, subsequent controversies regarding the 'Chinese rites' issue slowed the official recognition of his virtues by Rome for several centuries. The cause for beatification was officially opened at the diocesan level in 1984 in the Diocese of Macerata. After a period of suspension, the cause was reopened on January 24, 2010, by Bishop Claudio Giuliodori. The diocesan phase concluded solemnly on May 10, 2013, and the documents were transmitted to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints at the Vatican.

On December 17, 2022, Pope Francis authorized the promulgation of the decree recognizing the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Matteo Ricci, thereby conferring upon him the title of Venerable. For Father Matteo Ricci to be declared Blessed (beatification), the Catholic Church must officially recognize a miracle attributed to his intercession. To date, no miracle has yet been the subject of a validation decree by the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints. His liturgical feast is celebrated locally on May 11, the anniversary of his death.

The spirituality of Matteo Ricci is deeply rooted in the Ignatian tradition: to seek and find God in all things, and to become 'all things to all people' to proclaim the Gospel. His approach, described as the 'Ricci method' or adaptationism, is based on an immense respect for the culture of the other. He considered that divine grace does not destroy nature but perfects it, and thus sought the 'seeds of the Word' (semina Verbi) already present in Confucian philosophy. His legacy is immense. He is considered the father of modern sinology and a pioneer of intercultural and interreligious dialogue. Even today, he is honored in China as one of the few foreigners to have made a major contribution to Chinese history and science. Pope Francis and Cardinal Pietro Parolin regularly cite him as a model of dialogue, peace, and a bridge between the East and the West.