Friar John of Monte Corvino's Missionary Work

Friar John of Monte Corvino: Summary

  • Departure and Journey:

    • Left Tauris (Persian city) in 1291 for India.

    • Spent thirteen months in India, notably at the church of St. Thomas the Apostle.

  • Baptisms:

    • Baptized around 100 individuals in different locations during his time in India.

  • Companion:

    • Journeyed with Friar Nicholas of Pistoia, who died and was buried in India.

  • Travel to Cathay:

    • Continued to the realm of the Grand Cham, the Tartar Emperor.

    • Presented a letter from the Pope, inviting the Emperor to adopt Christianity; however, the Emperor remained idolatrous.

  • Establishment of Church:

    • Built a church in Cambaliech six years prior.

    • Installed a bell-tower with three bells.

    • Estimated 6,000 baptisms conducted there; potential to have baptized over 30,000 if not for accusations against him.

  • Education and Training:

    • Acquired 150 boys (ages 7-11) from pagan families.

    • Taught them Greek and Latin; formed a choir with 11 boys capable of chanting services.

    • Boys assist with writing Psalters and engaging in liturgical practices.

  • Divine Services:

    • Conducted divine services with congregation; utilized bells for canonical hours.

  • Emperor's Approval:

    • The Emperor enjoyed hearing the boys chant, showing appreciation for the religious efforts.

Friar John of Monte Corvino departed Tauris in 1291, spending thirteen months in India before continuing to Cathay (China). He presented a letter from the Pope to the Grand Cham, though the Emperor remained idolatrous. In Cambaliech, he built a church, conducted thousands of baptisms, and educated 150 pagan boys in Greek and Latin, forming a choir that the Emperor enjoyed. He faced significant opposition and slander from Nestorian Christians. Friar John appealed for more missionaries due to his loneliness and workload. In response, Pope Clement V appointed him the first Archbishop of Khanbaliq (Cambaliech) and Patriarch of the East around 1307. He continued his missionary work for over three decades, establishing churches and converting many until his death in Khanbaliq around 1328.