The Sun Rises in the East

“ . . . beautifully organized and deeply enriching series on Christian evangelization in East Asia. I was honored to lead one discussion session and participate in another, and both experiences left a lasting impression. The series brought together a vibrant, thoughtful community through the Newman and Collegium networks. What stood out was not only the academic depth of the readings but also the spiritual depth of our conversations. It was inspiring to see participants/students from a wide range of backgrounds--many without direct ties to East Asia--engage genuinely with the cultures, histories, and theological challenges presented. The questions raised during our discussions pushed us to reflect more deeply on faith and its expression in different cultural and political contexts. The sense of community was further nourished by shared meals, which were excellent, and heartfelt exchanges, and there was a palpable enthusiasm, a real hunger to learn more and to grow in faith. This wasn't a lecture series; it was a shared journey of discovery.”

- Professor Weimao Ke (Drexel)

“As a Japanese-Chinese American, I found that the program provided a wonderful insight into how I can bridge my parents’ culture and my newfound faith in Catholicism in the U.S., which has deep European roots. As silly as it sounds, I struggled to feel like I fit in when a faith that is based on bread and wine, when much of our daily sustenance in East Asia depended on rice. As someone who has visited temples and shrines in Japan and China, I found it difficult to reconcile my culture, which is heavily influenced by Buddhism and Shintoism, and my new faith in Christ.”

- Mihoko Zhang (Mount Holyoke College ‘23)

” . . . provided invaluable enrichment and prompted me to reflect on matters of belief, society, history, and culture pertinent to both contemporary issues and my personal faith. Working in STEM day to day, I do not often have the opportunity to engage with or critically consider questions in liberal arts, but this seminar revitalized my passion for reading and thinking about the humanities. The scope of the curriculum and selected excerpts consistently piqued my interest with an excellent balance of accessibility and specificity, and I always found the discussion challenging and thought-provoking. I enjoyed learning about Asian Christianity through the various perspectives of the invited experts, and I benefited from the contributions of the speakers, Esther, and fellow attendees alike. I am grateful to have participated in this seminar, and I take away with me new insights on the relationships between culture, politics, and religious practice as well as encouragement and greater thoughtfulness in my own Christian life. The intellectual community formed within this program is a special one, and I look forward to attending future iterations.”

- Carolyn & Andres Fernandez del Castillo (Penn Medicine)