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Oct 22, 1571
Beginning of his Journey
Matteo Ricci enters the Society of Jesus/Jesuits in 1571. -
Oct 22, 1578
To China
Matteo Ricci began his journey to China in Goa, a Portuguese outpost located on the west coast of India. -
Oct 22, 1580
Disappointment
Matteo Ricci was disappointed by a lack of faith in Catholicism demonstrated by Ackbar, the ruler of the Mughal Empire. Matteo Ricci then decided to start his missionary work in China. -
Aug 7, 1582
Macau
Matteo Ricci arrived at Mcau, a Portugese colony situated on the southern coast of China. He began to assimilate into Chinese culture and language, in order to communicate with the Chinese effectively. -
Zhaoqing
Matteo Ricci and his partner, Father Michele de Ruggieri, settled in Zhaoqing after receiving permission to lead missionary work. -
Shaozu
Ricci moved to Shaozhu, where he became close with government officials and Confucian scholars. Matteo Ricci then began to wear scholars’ clothing and replaced his buddhist garb. He was therefore recognized as a scholar by his fellow Chinese. -
Forbidden Visit
Ricci was forbidden to visit Beijing due to the anti-foreign conflict that had arisen between Chinese and Japanese armies situated in Korea. He instead visited Nanchang and Nanjing in order to start his own church to spread Catholicism. -
New language
Matteo Ricci mastered the Chinese language. He can now write well and speak fluently -
His Death
Matteo Ricci passed away in Beijing on May 11. Ming scholars who were deeply impressed with his contributions have petitioned for permission to perform a proper burial for him. He was buried outside the city walls of Beijing a year later.