First modern Mongolian editions of Catholic catechism and prayer book published
Ulaanbaatar (AsiaNews/Ucan) The Antoine Mostaer Center, of the Congregation of the Immaculate of Mary, has released the first ever modern Mongolian language editions of a Catholic catechism and a prayer book.
The announcement has given new life to CICM missionaries who have been teaching Catholicism to Mongols of Inner Mongolia (a region of China). The most famous CICM missionary was a Dutch priest by the name of Antoine Mastaert (1881-1971), after whom the center was named.
The center's director, Fr. Gaby Tshimanga, CICM, said the local Catholic Church (founded just 11 years ago) still had not published a bible or many other religious books in Mongolian.
Various translations of the bible had been published since the communist government of Mongolia became democratic in 1991, after 70 years of Soviet dominance. A new constitution in 1992 guaranteed freedom of religion to citizens of the region.
"There has never been a Catholic book of prayer or a useful modern version of the Catholic catechism in the Mongolian language," explained Fr. Tshimanga.
The new Catechism is an adaptation of the one written in Cyrillic and used throughout Mongolia. The adapted text was based on a translation by Fr. Mostaert made in the early 20th century. His translation had used the tradition "vertical writing" method of the Mongolian language, developed in the 12th century and still used in Inner Mongolia (which in 1920 did not separate from China with Mongolia).
In the new prayer book's 83 pages there are common Catholic prayers in addition to a section containing prayers for various occasions and groups, like children. There are 177 Catholics in Mongolia, all concentrated in the Ulaanbaatar area.
Fr. Tshimanga said that the books are making a trial run in the community. "We printed 500 copies of each one and now we are waiting to see how parishioners react to them over the next 3 years prior to making necessary changes based on suggestions we receive," he said.
Mrs. Dalai, baptized 3 years ago, says she reads the catechism at home every evening. "I find answers to so many questions," the 25 year-old bookkeeper said. Concerning the prayer book, Mrs. Dalai says she carries it with her in her pocket wherever she goes.
Mr. Selenge, a history scholar, says the two books are useful not only for him but also for educating his children about the faith. He said that previously he didn't want to teach them prayers since the ones he used were "too unrefined and awkward, too simple and not very educational." Now, however, Selenge believes he has "something valuable" to teach his children.
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07/02/2019 17:28
30/11/2021 15:48
