Religious orders and congregations

Jijin

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Fr. Leon Dehon S.C.I., the founder of Dehonians, during a Mass. According to an old privilege for missionaries in China, the priest and the altar boy are wearing jijin.

Jijin (tsikin/tsikim) was made of silk brocade. The usage of headgear during celebrations, apart from protecting from cold in the northern regions, was due to the fact that in China being bareheaded was a sign of humiliation or disdain and one used to cover their head even in front of the emperor. This permission was annulled in the twenties of the 20th century.

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Fr. Frédéric-Vincent Lebbe C.M. administering the Baptism to five Chinese students [the photo from: Archives Vincent Lebbe-ARCA].