Chinese artist Luke Chen (1902-1967) was a famed painter in China who used his talents to understand traditional Catholic and Christian stories from the Bible and portray them as Chinese. This approach was first encouraged by Apostolic Delegate to China Celso Costantini who served in that capacity from 1922 to 1932. This painting, “The Nativity,” was a personal gift of the artist to Passionist Bishop of Yuanling, China Cuthbert O’Gara (1886-1968). It is a copyrighted painting which is part of the Passionist China Collection. This collection has its home now at the Ricci Institute, Boston College. As you might know, I am now a Senior scholar there.
Please take a moment to meditate on this photo. Some people of the 1940s era were upset by Luke Chen depicting the Holy Family as Chinese. Why? Everyone knew that Jesus was not Chinese. However, I suggest that this painting reminds us how we are peoples of the world. Chen, we must remember painted this in the war torn world of the 1940s. Where was international stability and peace? Prejudices were real. Death was real. Consistent was the quest for peace. Refugees sought shelter. Would faith lead to hope? Chinese and all of us know that hope is tangible in relationships. The birth of Jesus at Christmas still reimagines hope for us in 2024. Relationships are sacred. And God is with us.
So, how comforting is this Luke Chen painting. The Holy Family looks like my family, your family, any family.
As we make our way into 2025, may this Luke Chen painting inspire us as “peoples of the world.” $50 supports the Passionist Historical Archives for one day https://passionistarchives.org/donations/