On December 10, 1584 in the Gregorian calendar, three months after Xu Guangqi arrived in Lisbon, the mission finally arrived at its nominal destination—Rome. As a return visit to the Roman mission to the Ming Dynasty, Xu Guangqi’s arrival was undoubtedly
It achieved the highest achievement in the papal career of Gregory XIII - even if the issuance of the Gregorian calendar can only be ranked second in comparison.
After Xu Guangqi arrived at the Holy See, he rested for two days and began to participate in various activities. The first event was the cardinal ordination ceremony held by Luo Mingjian. As a representative of the Roman mission, Luo Mingjian was promoted to the priest of St. Paul's Basilica.
He accepted the red hat put on his head by the Pope on his sick bed and was awarded the cardinal ring - from now on, His Excellency, the Cardinal, finally lives up to his name.
In fact, as early as the news of the great success of the mission in the Ming Dynasty came back to the Holy See, Fan Li'an and Luo Mingjian were already on the list of new cardinals - that is to say, they had already been promoted to the position of cardinal. But according to the provisions of the legal code
, the cardinal must perform the ceremony of taking the oath and receiving the red hat, but this cannot be done in the Daming Diocese where there are no cardinals.
At the same time that Luo Mingjian was ordained, Fan Li'an, who was unable to return to Rome due to physical reasons, and Matteo Ricci, who stayed in the capital of the Ming Dynasty to continue his missionary work, were also canonized. Fan Li'an was canonized because of his pioneering work in the missionary work in Asia.
Archbishop of Asia.
Matteo Ricci, a young missionary, skipped the stages of parish priest, bishop and deacon, etc., and was directly promoted to bishop. Although he failed to become a cardinal this time, as long as he does not die suddenly, he will be wearing red in the future.
Must have.
After Luo Mingjian was awarded the title of Cardinal, he could serve as the papal representative and complete the ceremony of consecrating Fan Li'an and Matteo Ricci after returning to Ming Dynasty. By that time, Fan Li'an was still Luo Mingjian's immediate boss - according to their status and contributions
In other words, this is what it should mean.
After participating in this ceremony, the next day was Xu Guangqi's baptism ceremony. As the first Ming Dynasty man to be baptized, and as consort and count, his conversion fully reflected the results of the missionary work of the Roman mission, and even more
A major event in the political life of the Holy See.
In the propaganda of the Holy See, this incident proved that the glory of God is far-reaching - the Seris Empire has a population of 160 million and an area larger than Europe. The baptism of royal members in Rome will become a milestone and mark the Holy See's
The missionary career has reached its highest peak! Therefore, it is not surprising that the Pope gave his baptism the highest standard - Xu Guangqi's baptism will be equivalent to the baptism ceremony of the kings of European countries.
Zhu Yijun, who came from a later generation, knew very well what the Holy See needed. Even if the Roman mission built ten churches in the capital of the Ming Dynasty and baptized tens of thousands of people, it would have been easier for him to gain the attention of the Holy See than if Xu Guangqi had been baptized alone. Leaders like this kind of political achievements, both at home and abroad.
, no exception.
Therefore, although Xu Guangqi in this time and space was baptized by the idea of studying things, he still embarked on the path of the original time and space despite the imperial mandate, and reluctantly became a Christian.
According to the original plan, Gregory XIII was to attend Xu Guangqi's baptism and preside over the mass. However, in the past half month, Gregory XIII suddenly suffered from malaria, and his physical condition deteriorated rapidly. At this time, he was bedridden.
.So, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Castana, the priest of St. Peter's Church, presided over the baptism of Xu Guangqi on behalf of the Pope.
There were many people watching the ceremony in St. Peter's Cathedral - almost all European countries sent envoys. Xu Guangqi was wearing a red velvet bathrobe made of silk, and when he walked out of the dressing room under the guidance of the waiter, the attention of everyone in the hall was
It gave him goosebumps - he couldn't help but feel dissatisfied with the emperor who was a hundred thousand miles away.
At this time, most Catholic baptisms were "baptisms", in which the whole body was immersed in water. In fact, from the perspective of the history of the spread of Christianity, starting from the second century AD, due to the complicated "baptism" rituals that were not conducive to missionary work, there were almost
For ten centuries, many sects replaced baptism with "sprinkling" - that is, the officiant poured a few drops of water on the face.
But after the power of the church in the Middle Ages reached its peak, baptism completely "brought order to order". Even the babies in Europe were baptized by baptism. They were taken directly from the delivery room and went to the nearest church for a ceremony - many young children died of choking as a result.
Pneumonia or cold caused by water.
In the ceremony, the basin of water is no longer water, but the "precious blood" of Christ. The so-called Christ used blood to wash away original sin refers to this - soaking in the bathtub once is equivalent to declaring to die with the Lord.
When you get out of the bathtub, you will be born a Catholic person and die a Catholic ghost.
...
In the solemn atmosphere, the choir sang hymns. The protagonist Giovanni held the Holy Grail, Bishop Luo Mingjian held up the golden cross behind him, and the Vatican attendants knelt on one knee, holding salt, ointment and other baptisms.
Religious items used.
Deputy envoy Wang Jiaping followed the etiquette arrangement and stood behind the bathtub in a Ming Dynasty dress, holding Xu Guangqi's staff. At this time, he saw Xu Guangqi wearing a big bathrobe. He wanted to laugh but couldn't, and his expression was very wonderful. Xu Guangqi caught a glimpse of it, and he felt sorry for the emperor in his heart.
That dissatisfaction grew more and more, and gradually turned into resentment.
After the opening hymn was sung, Giovanni first conducted a mass ceremony and led the audience in the hall to pray: "Lord... today we are praying in front of you and all the witnesses for these people who have listened to the gospel.
Your children’s friend, His Excellency Count Xu Guangqi, held a baptism ceremony. Please come and bless us. Lord, you are the one who moved...Amen!" [Note 1]
During the prayer, Xu Guangqi had a calm expression on his face and lowered his head to listen. After the prayer was completed, he approached the baptizing Bishop Giovarro at the signal of the waiter.
Giovanni asked in Latin: “Do you renounce sin in order to enjoy the freedom of the children of God?”
Xu Guangqi replied: "Abandon!"
Just when he said these two words, a string of words suddenly appeared in front of him that often woke him up and still made his hair stand on end: "I declare that I have no opinions and wishes of my own...I will keep it secret."
or openly wage a ruthless war against pagans, protestants and liberals throughout the earth..."
This passage comes from the "Assassination Warning" incident in Madrid, Spain. After Kramer's party was uprooted by Felipe II, the Queen's envoy Worthinghay provided him with the internal oath of the "Jesuit Friars" - this is a passage.
This made Xu Guangqi resolutely "abandon" this sinful text.
Giovanni asked again: "In order to escape the slavery of sin, do you reject people, places, and things that lead people to sin?"
Xu Guangqi composed himself and replied: "Abandon!"
But the text continues: "I will not care about their age, sex or class, I will hang, burn, boil, cook, skin, strangle and bury these damn infidels alive and rip off their wives.
stomachs and wombs, and smash their children's heads against the walls to destroy their abominable race. Forever..."
Giovanni asked again: "Do you renounce the devil, the source of all evil?" Xu Guangqi continued to answer: "Abandon!"
"If these actions are not allowed, I will quietly prepare a glass of poisoned wine, a rope to strangle, a sharp dagger and lead bullets..."
The three questions proclaiming faith were over. After Xu Guangqi publicly renounced sin and the devil, Giovanni made the sign of the cross on his chest and declared "Amen!" together with the audience. Although Wang Jiaping didn't believe in this stuff, he also joined in the fun.
Open your mouth.
Then Giovanni continued the ceremony and asked: "Do you believe in the Almighty God the Father who created heaven and earth?"
Xu Guangqi replied: "I believe it."
"I confirm that I will dedicate my life, soul and physical strength to this dagger that I have now received. I will write my name in blood as a testimony, should my determination be changed or weakened...
"
Giovanni continued to ask: "Do you believe in our Lord Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, who was born of the Virgin Mary, suffered, died and rose again, and now enjoys glory in heaven?"
Xu Guangqi lowered his head and replied: "I believe it."
"...the brothers will chop off my hands and feet, slit my throat, slit my belly, and burn my body with brimstone..."
Giovanni finally asked: "Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and eternal life?"
Xu Guangqi replied: "I believe it."
"...These punishments fall on my body in this world, and my soul will be tortured by demons in eternal hell forever!"
...
When Xu Guangqi untied his bathrobe, wrapped a long white linen scarf around his waist, and stepped into the bathtub carved from a single piece of white marble, hymns were sung again in the sacred and magnificent church.
After Giovanni waited for Xu Guangqi's whole body to be immersed in the water, he leaned over to help him while muttering something, making him half-kneeling. He then filled the "Holy Grail" made of gold with water and poured it from Xu Guangqi's head three times.
Finally, he smeared salt on Xu Guangqi's forehead, lips, etc., and grabbed a handful of ointment and smeared it on his chest - the ointment was filled with a strong aroma, which made Xu Guangqi feel nauseated involuntarily.
He endured the discomfort and strongly denounced the emperor's order for him to "believe in God." After the waiter dried his hair and cheeks, he saw Luo Mingjian behind Giovanni, his eyes filled with tears, smiling at him.
Xu Guangqi smiled reluctantly at him, and said to himself: "Maybe the Lord you believe in is clean, but I - under the leadership of the emperor, will dig out this malignant sore that threatens civilization, so that under the radiance of heaven, evil will be eradicated.