Taipei (AsiaNews) - Zhang Hulong (張乎隆) and two university friends will be baptised on Eastern Vigil. All three are becoming Catholic thanks to Geraldine, a Taiwanese pastry chef of Indonesian origin. After they became friends, she talked to them about her experience of faith and about her other friends in Taipei's Catholic community.
Last year, after theology studies in Europe, Fr Ke (柯神父) arrived in Taiwan. With him, the gritty pastry chef found in the Filipino-born clergyman an ally in faith but also a connoisseur of good food, especially sweets, tea and coffee (better if it is an espresso, maybe with a touch of liqueur in it). From this was born the idea of using food as part of his pastoral work, which according to Fr Ke, bears fruit and "must be increased".
"Truth be told, I got the idea in Italy during a prayer meeting with Chinese Catholics in Tuscany, when many people came especially, but not solely, for the sweets and delicacies that were offered or sold."
"I was born in the Philippines. Here in taiwan, there is a good network of 'apostles of the faith' from that country that are making their mark here. It is hard work, but sharing comes with the wealth generated."
Sharing and mutual help in case of need are a normal thing among migrants. One's faith and values can be passed on, bringing cultures and people together, thanks to the atmosphere of a Filipino 'fiesta'. It also draws people to the faith.
Fr Ke is a recent graduate in spiritual theology from Rome's Gregorian University. His dissertation focused on 'Taoist and Christian integration and physical, mental and spiritual exercises'.
A devotee of fencing, cycling and good food, his cooperation with Geraldine shows that people of different ages can work together. They might start out learning English or baking cakes but end up learning more about the Bible and asking questions about Jesus.
Some even ask to be baptised, like the three university students on Easter Vigil. "All three will be baptised in their own parish," said Zhang Hulong, "because baptism is bearing witness in front of friends and family."
Zhang too wants to get into the food business after graduation. "I think that I'll open a restaurant," he said. Anyone who has met him quickly realises that he does like his food, and that he makes friends quickly.
When we asked him about Fr Ke, he said that during catechism, "when I asked him the meaning of original sin, he was thorough and convincing. But when I said that I wanted to open a restaurant, he started cracking jokes about my gluttony. But then he put everything in the right perspective, noting that Jesus loved to talk at banquets. So, he told us about the importance of sharing in food-based pastoral activity, that it was an unparalleled tool of mission. I will do my part with my restaurant," he said enthusiastically.
The food business is very interesting. Food touches everyone. It is important in the media as well. There are many culinary programmes on Taiwan TV. The island's top three chefs are TV stars, especially A Ji (阿基 师) who also cooks for President Ma Ying-jeou.
Fr Ke noted that " television industry experts tell me that in mainland China, on channels 4 and 9, the most successful series are those on the culinary arts, beating out all competition."
"If you do the rounds of Taipei bookstores, you realise how culinary publications are popular. Let me say this again, Jesus often spoke at banquets, and the Eucharistic table was its most important mark. For this reason, we are followers of Jesus and not John the Baptist, who ate only locusts. What more do we want? Bon appétit!"
