A Taiwan-based online prayer group is making strides in evangelization among international Chinese speakers, inspired by St. Therese of Lisieux's "little way." The initiative originated from Jesuit Father Augustine Tsang’s doctoral thesis at the Fu Jen Faculty of Theology of St. Robert Bellarmine in Taipei.
Father Tsang explained that friends who read his thesis proposed starting the group with him as chaplain in 2020. Known as “Friends in Evangelization of St. Therese of Lisieux,” the group comprises laypeople and has grown to include over 700 participants from various countries including Taiwan, Malaysia, the Philippines, the U.S., Canada, and a few from mainland China.
“I think evangelization has to be taken up by the laypeople,” Father Tsang stated. He emphasized that laypeople are well-positioned to bring Jesus into their everyday interactions with others through small gestures like sharing religious items or inviting them to prayer sessions.
The group's activities include live-streamed Eucharistic adoration and rosary recitations each evening, attracting about 70 to 80 participants per session. Additionally, Father Tsang offers online religion lessons covering catechism and St. Therese's spirituality, leading to several baptisms over recent years.
His catechism courses align with the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) standards and have received approval from dioceses where participants reside. Daily reflections sent by Father Tsang reach around 700 recipients who often share them further.
Father Tsang highlighted the role of laypeople in expanding membership: “I try to bring new members in if possible, but more important is that lay people bring new members in.”
Simone Orendain reports for OSV News from Chicago.