Dear Catholics, please speak Hokkien.
In this short piece, I intend to share an anecdote and some personal observations on using a Southern Chinese dialect, which is intimately familiar to many Chinese Filipinos like myself, in the apostolate.
Querida mia, querida abuela
I was raised by my late paternal grandmother, whom we affectionately called a-mà (阿嫲), and who hailed from Quanzhou (泉州), the largest metropolitan region of the Fujian (福建) province in China. She is a significant reason why I have a relatively decent grasp of the Hokkien dialect. Apart from being her grandson, watching soap operas together and speaking to her daily were activities that formed strong emotional bonds between us. Her passing in October 2019 had a profound impact on me, to the extent that I am willing to dedicate my entire life to what I believe is a cause very close to home.
Her death was unexpected, yet my family and I blissfully accepted it. She was blessed to have lived for 86 years until she peacefully passed away in her sleep. Despite her age, she was healthy, likely because of her diet abundant in greens. The only serious health complication she faced was a severe pelvic fracture. She endured that pain for a whole month after slipping on a wet bathroom floor. The surgical operation was risky, so the doctor recommended complete rest until full recovery. It was difficult to see her in that state, unable to move and do her usual activities. Her inactivity bothered her as much as it did us.
One day, as she lay in bed, I decided to keep her company. I felt compelled to talk to her about God, despite struggling to find the right words in Hokkien. I recall saying, “A-ma, we have a God. He created us, and He loves us. He loves you too. His name is Jesus. Think about him. Talk to him.” Her response was dismissive, asking me not to talk about such things, as if I were speaking nonsense. Despite her reluctance, I insisted that what I said was true and important.
That precious moment stayed with me dearly when I learned of her passing. As you, the kind reader, go through these lines, I humbly ask for a short prayer for her repose.
I’m not the only one
If only I had spoken to my grandmother earlier… if only I had elaborated more on those simple sentences based on my elementary knowledge of Christian Hokkien vocabulary and lingo… what apostolic fruits could have been borne! If not for a mere language barrier, how many more apostolic fruits could there be?
Then it dawned on me. There are so many more people out there who likely share my story. Many in the local Chinese diaspora, including some of my relatives, are already living comfortably in the Philippines yet do not know how to speak Filipino or English. In Manila Chinatown alone, there are hundreds, maybe even more than a thousand, of Chinese Filipinos and Overseas Hokkien Chinese who are not baptized into the Christian faith. And most likely, due to these linguistic barriers, the entire apostolic mission seems to be at a standstill.
We should look to the example of our Chinese-Filipino Evangelical Protestant brethren who recognized the importance of the Hokkien language early on. They have communities that speak Hokkien and cultivate a familiar social and ecclesiastical culture that undoubtedly contributes to bringing more people into the faith. The only Hokkien-translated audio version of Sacred Scriptures I have come across is of Evangelical Protestant origin!
However, I am aware that there are a number of Hokkien resources that aid in teaching the apostolic faith, most of which are from Taiwan and Hong Kong. But why are we not using them as zealously as others do? I have never attended a local mass in the Hokkien dialect. I know that some Hokkien services are held occasionally, especially during special occasions like the Spring Festival. But why aren’t we promoting them more so that those who speak the language can participate in the Sacred Banquet? At least in the Philippines, where the majority of the local Chinese still speak Hokkien, I have never seen any catechism or detailed guide that aids modern catechists in their teachings.
Hence, if we lack the skill, then it is up to us to train. If we lack the knowledge, then it is up to us to learn. If we lack the resources, then it is up to us to gather them. If we lack prayer, then we are helpless. There is much that needs to be done.
阮希望基督为王
gûn hi-bōng Ki-tok ui ông
we want Christ to reign!
