“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”-Matthew 13:31-32
On 8 December 1963, the Jesuits planted a mustard seed that blossomed into the Tien Educational Center in Taipei, Taiwan. Fr Paul O’Brien, a Jesuit recently expelled from Mainland China by the Communist government, cooperated with a fellow California Jesuit, Fr Edward Murphy, to secure funding for the construction of a four-story building. They named the building in honour of Cardinal Thomas Tien, the former Archbishop of Beijing and the first Cardinal born in China.
Since only about 1 percent of Taiwan’s population is Catholic, the centre aimed to be an inclusive place, welcoming all people and fostering connections among Catholics, people of other religions, and those with no religious beliefs. Strategically located between two national universities, the centre established two ministries in the 1960s that intentionally avoided explicit Catholic focus, aiming to welcome people from all walks of life.
The Young Writers’ Club, one of the ministries, helped local students learn about and practice the craft of writing in relation to literature, journalism, and drama. The Mountain Service Project, the first of its kind in Taiwan, organised trips of friendship, service, and cooperation involving Chinese Taiwanese from urban areas and Indigenous Taiwanese in the mountain regions. From 1949 to 1987, when Taiwan was under martial law, the Tien Center was instrumental in introducing Western culture to local young people and providing solid faith formation for Catholic students during this time of limited contact with the outside world.
Today, the unique architecture of the Tien Center still stands distinctly at a bustling intersection in Taipei, directly facing a busy subway station. Over the decades, the apostolates initiated at the centre have flourished and expanded. Presently, the centre is home to several ministries run by the Jesuits and our close collaborators. These include the Tien Center Cultural Foundation, the Ricci Institute of Taipei, the Magis Youth Center, Sacred Heart Parish, the Taipei Ignatian Spirituality Center, the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, the Jesuit Office for the Protection of Minors and Professional Standards, the Jesuit Chinese Province Communications Office, and the Province Development Office. The Tien Center also hosts other organisations, supported by but not directly run by the Jesuits, such as the Christian Life Community Office of Taiwan (CLC) and various university Catholic student groups. Each week, hundreds of people come to the Tien Center to attend class, participate in workshops, pray at Mass, or simply spend time with others. It has become a vibrant and well-recognised venue, even familiar to the city’s taxi drivers.
On 16 December 2023, the Tien Center celebrated its 60th anniversary with a series of celebratory events, beginning with a special Mass at 9 am. The centre’s director, Fr Matthew Hsu SJ, explained in his homily how the Tien Center has witnessed to the Gospel and contributed to society in Taiwan throughout its six decades. Like Mary and Elizabeth experiencing a moment of grace at the Visitation, the Tien Center has become a special place of encounter for many people.
After the Mass, the celebrations moved to the newly renovated Main Hall. Fr Stephen Tong SJ, the Chinese Provincial, extended a warm welcome to the guests. (As an interesting side note, Fr Tong shares a special connection with the Tien Center. Although originally from Macau, he pursued engineering studies at Taiwan National University as a youth in the 1980s and attended Mass at the Tien Center each week before becoming a Jesuit.)
Fr Bosco Lu, a long-time coordinator of the Writers’ Club; Fr Yves Camus, the former director of the Ricci Institute; Mr John Hei of Kuangchi Studio; and other VIP speakers shared captivating vignettes from the past, elucidating why the centre has become so meaningful in their lives. These talks were followed by performances from several apostolates, including a musical recital by the Tien Center Foundation and a play by the Magis Youth Center. The Ignatian Spirituality Center staff then invited the participants to prayerfully look back on their experiences at the Tien Center, to listen to Jesus’ voice, and to articulate their desires for the future.
Following the enriching events of the morning, a delectable lunch was served, providing a delightful opportunity for guests to catch up with old friends and forge new connections. The convivial atmosphere continued into the open house, where each apostolate opened its door, described its services, and offered entertainment. Participants were handed a Tien Center passport, enabling them to collect unique stamps from each apostolate they visited. In the afternoon, there was a draw for prizes, and festivities concluded with a final blessing.
In the same weekend, the Tien Center received a prestigious accolade from the Taiwan Ministry of Education—the Social Education Contribution Award, which recognised the centre’s longstanding commitment to service and care, especially in assisting women and people with visual impairments in the field of writing. The award also acknowledged the Tien Center’s efforts in promoting multicultural exchanges. Notably, the centre has played a vital role in fostering greater interaction and mutual understanding between the local people and the foreign workers in Taiwan.
Any mission worth living out is not without its share of challenges. The Tien Center and its staff are no exception. One notable challenge is the significant decrease in the number of Jesuits compared to 30 years ago. In response to this shift, lay leaders are stepping into more prominent roles as they explore and respond to Christ’s call in new and meaningful ways. This ongoing transition brings with it a sense of uncertainty about the future. However, amid the challenges, there is profound trust among the Tien Center community—in each other and in God. Both Jesuits and laypeople navigate this path with attentiveness to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, seeking wisdom, and creativity to live out the universal apostolic preferences together. It is evident that we each have different gifts, yet we all serve the same Lord and are united by his mission.
The present mission statement of the Tien Center is to use the love exemplified by Jesus in the Gospels to form people in body, mind, and spirit, to serve as a bridge stretching beyond the Church, to be a prophetic voice in today’s diverse society, and to be a platform where dialogue, sharing, and communion can take place. The Tien Center maintains its sensitivity towards people of other religions, but it is also not shy about living out its Catholic faith. Over the course of 60 years, the mustard seed has grown into a tree that provides a welcoming space where women and men, the elderly and youth, people of faith or no faith, and local and international guests can perch, be nourished, and grow. God chooses to be present in the centre, and people feel a sense of belonging.
In the years to come, may Jesus guide all who are part of this community to live out his mission, fostering a space of inclusivity, love, and spiritual growth for all who encounter it.
Elton Fernandes SJ
Director, Taipei Ignatian Spirituality Center
This article was first published in The Jesuits Asia Pacific 2024 magazine.