盛福堂(茨林圍)

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Celin's Garden once belonged to the Cunha Palace, a former school in Macau that was the precursor to the Saint Paul Academy. Legend has it that Japanese Christians who had fled to Macau found refuge within its high walls, just as the potatoes they grew would sprout roots and thrive in the fertile soil. Even when they moved to other parts of the city, they remained close-knit, like the sweet potato plants that spread their vines and tendrils everywhere. The locals affectionately called this area "Celin's Garden" or "Potato Garden," a testament to its beauty and bounty. In those days, the Portuguese traders and missionaries who lived in Macau were known for their charity and kindness towards others, just like the sweet potatoes that nourished both body and soul. However, when Japan closed its doors to the outside world, the Portuguese traders and missionaries found themselves at a disadvantage. They had no choice but to rely on the charity of their fellow Christians, who continued to live in Macau, even after the city began to decline. The once-thriving trade between Portugal and Japan came to an end, leaving behind only memories of its glory days. But one event changed everything: in 1685, a Japanese ship wrecked off the coast of Macau, and the Portuguese saw it as an opportunity to help their fellow Christians. They sailed out to rescue the survivors, who were then taken aboard the Saint Paul ship, where they received food and shelter from their Western friends. However, this act of kindness was seen by the ruling class in Japan as a betrayal, and the incident became a symbol of the divide between East and West. The Portuguese traders and missionaries had hoped to convert the Japanese people to Christianity, but their efforts were met with resistance. Instead of winning over their hearts, they only succeeded in driving them further away. The Saint Paul ship, which had once been a beacon of hope, was now seen as a symbol of Western arrogance and disregard for Eastern values. Despite their best intentions, the Portuguese traders and missionaries failed to understand the complexities of Japanese culture and society. They saw themselves as saviors, but they were actually outsiders who did not grasp the nuances of the local way of life. The sweet potatoes that grew in Celin's Garden were a reminder of the beauty and simplicity of life, but the Portuguese saw only the surface level of things. In the end, it was the Japanese people who showed them the true meaning of charity and kindness. They had fled to Macau as refugees, but they had also brought with them their unique culture and traditions. And it was these same traditions that would eventually allow them to thrive in their new home, just like the sweet potatoes that grew in Celin's Garden. The incident marked a turning point in the history of Macau, as the city began to decline and lose its status as a major trading hub. But even as the Portuguese traders and missionaries struggled to come to terms with their failure, they were reminded of the beauty and simplicity of life, just like the sweet potatoes that grew in Celin's Garden. In the end, it was not the Portuguese who had taught the Japanese people about charity and kindness, but rather the other way around. The Japanese had shown them the value of humility and compassion, and it was these same qualities that would eventually allow them to thrive in their new home.