A Model for All Christian Women

<p>This biography of Candida Xu (1607–1680) granddaughter of the prominent Chinese Christian convert and statesman Xu Guangqi (1562–1633) and foremost Chinese Christian woman of the seventeenth century is based on the biography of Candida Xu titled <em>Histoire d’une dame chrétienne de la Chine</em> (Paris 1688) written by her confessor Philippe Couplet S.J. (1623–1693) an obituary of his mother and other writings by her eldest son and the Xu family history. Using these as well as other relevant European missionary and Chinese language sources Candida Xu’s life as daughter wife mother and generous contributor to the Christian Church is recounted. Events in her life are set in the context of historical and religious circumstances in China at the time. Consideration of the situation of women particularly Christian women draws out how Candida Xu’s faith helped her and other believing Christian women to gain greater freedom of choice and action.</p>