Historical and biographical review of some of the main figures of the Province of Saint Nicholas of Tolentine of the Order of Augustinian Recollects from its foundation to the present day.
Nicolás Shi was born on 3 February 1921 in a village called She-Liou-Lou in Henan, China. Shortly before his 19th birthday, he took vows as an Augustinian Recollect, and in 1948, he was ordained a priest.
Following the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, church properties were seized, and all foreign missionaries were expelled. From 1952, Nicolás faced silence, solitude, isolation, and a complete life change under persecution.
Initially, he was forced to work in the ophthalmology section of a hospital. Later, he endured forced labour in a brick factory. Upon his release, he dedicated his time to caring for his elderly mother. They survived on alms and lived in a room provided by a cousin.
After Mao Zedong’s death in 1976, new possibilities emerged. Nicolás tried to resume his pastoral ministry in Shangqiu but was hindered because he was not registered with the Chinese Patriotic Church. Meanwhile, after 27 years of silence, in 1979, the Province of Saint Nicholas sought to re-establish contact with China. Surprisingly, they received a response from Nicolás Shi.
From 1987, he intensified his apostolate in Shangqiu, initially clandestinely and later openly. Despite fines, coercion, and threats, he did not relent or give up. Instead, he earned some respect and admiration from the authorities.
With the dawn of the 21st century, the properties were restored to the Church, and worship was allowed. Nicolás then aimed to promote vocations and form new religious, striving to revive consecrated life in Shangqiu. His influence inspired many young men and women to commit to serving the Church.
Gradually, he earned the authorities’ respect and helped the Diocese of Shangqiu regain its activity as much as possible. Always vigilant and steadfast, he refused to join the Patriotic Church.
On 8 May 1991, Nicolás Shi was consecrated bishop of the Diocese of Shangqiu, which had been without a shepherd for thirty-nine years.
He passed away at the age of 88 on 16 September 2009, leaving behind a well-structured diocese with thousands of Christians, a vibrant religious community with priests and seminarians, and a significant number of Chinese women who had taken vows as Augustinian Recollect Missionaries.
