Like a United Nations
In fact, Spain has numerous pilgrimage routes. The best known and most popular is the 800-kilometer “French Way,” which starts in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and crosses the Pyrenees. There are also the “Northern Way,” “Portuguese Way,” “Silver Way,” and “English Way.”
Visiting Catholic churches across Taiwan, Chiang was surprised to discover that there are many potential pilgrimage routes here as well. These include a “French Way” (the Paris Foreign Missions Society route), a “Swiss Way” (the Bethlehem Mission Society route), an “American Way” (the Maryknoll route), an “Italian Way” (the Camillians order route), a “Belgian Way” (the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary missionaries route), and a “German Way” (the Society of the Divine Word route).
Chiang explains that after 1949, religious freedom was suppressed in mainland China, causing numerous Catholic organizations to move their missionary work to Taiwan. For example, priests from the Maryknoll Catholic Foreign Mission Society relocated from China’s Guangdong Province to Taichung, from where they began working with indigenous communities in the mountains of Nantou. Chiang suggests that people can go from Puli to Wushe, visiting the indigenous communities of Bukai (Chinese name Wujie) and Sima-un (Qubing) and hearing stories about Fr. Peter Wu, while experiencing Atayal and Bunun culture along the way, and ending up at the Holy Love Camp beside Sun Moon Lake. This Maryknoll route is currently the best developed pilgrims’ way in Taiwan.
The Swiss Bethlehem Mission Society moved from Northeastern China to Taitug in Eastern Taiwan. Fr. Jakob Hilber founded St. Joseph Technical Senior High School, introducing Swiss and German technical skills into Taiwan. Taking the Bethlehem Mission Society route along Taiwan’s eastern seaboard, you can see a series of Catholic churches in Dulan, in the Amis indigenous communities of Piyoxo (Xiaoma), Torik (Duli), and Pasongan (Basang’an), and also in Changbin and Duoliang. All were designed by Br. Julius Felder, and it is worth spending several days to make a tour of these buildings.
The Italian order of the Camillians (also known as the “Clerics Regular, Ministers to the Sick”) came from Yunnan Province to Taiwan, setting down roots in Yilan County and Penghu County. St. Mary’s Hospital in Yilan’s Luodong Township and St. Camillus Hospital in Penghu were both founded by this group. Chiang suggests a three-day walk around the Penghu islands starting from the Catholic church in Magong, to see the path trodden by the Camillians in their efforts to care for residents’ health.
The Paris Foreign Missions Society came from China’s Fujian Province to Hualien County to carry on their missionary work. They immersed themselves in the culture of the local Amis and Bunun indigenous peoples. Walking this pilgrims’ way takes five to six days, but with the beautiful scenery of the East Coast before you the journey is never dull.
Hearing Matthew Chiang describe each route with fluent familiarity, one can’t help but think of the missionaries who have come to look after the faithful in each given area or community. Taiwan is fortunate to have had priests from so many countries dedicate their lives to this island and its people, and we should not forget this friendship from overseas. It reminds us that it’s a small world, and that Taiwan has long been home to a little United Nations.
The nave of Our Lady of Fatima Church at Sima-un, a Bunun indigenous community in Ren’ai’s Wanfeng Village.
The Holy Spirit Church at Bukai, a Bunun indigenous community in Ren’ai’s Fazhi Village. The American priest Fr. Peter Wu dedicated his life to the three Bunun communities of Bukai, Sima-un, and Qatu.
Matthew Chiang’s “American Way” pilgrimage route visits churches built by the US-based Maryknoll Catholic Foreign Mission Society. The route starts in Puli in Nantou County and the first stop is the Church of the Holy Martyrs of China at Alang Snuwing, a Seediq indigenous community in Chunyang Village in Nantou’s Ren’ai Township.
Wan-Ta Church at Alang Marosan, an Atayal indigenous community in Ren’ai Township’s Qin’ai Village.