In Matsu We Trust

Fully immersed in Taiwan's unique temple culture since childhood, Wei-ling and her husband Jia-zhang annually raise over US$3,000 from Matsu devotees and spend ten months of their time to make an enormous incense stick for the Baishatun Matsu Pilgrimage.

On the day of the pilgrimage, the incense stick, which measures 1.8 meters in length and weighs 40kg, is handed over to their daughter's godfather, Gu-jiang, who carries it for the entirety of the pilgrimage, braving the elements with 40,000 other devotees on a grueling unfixed route of 400-plus km.

As if that's not difficult enough, this year, Matsu decreed that the first 200km had to be completed in an incredible 36hours!

In this episode, we discover why the family and followers have such devotion, sacrifice, and love for Matsu; how the near death of Wei-ling's husband transformed her from a skeptic to spokesperson for the spirits; and why the giant incense stick provides a beacon of hope for myriad beings invisible to the naked eye!

Host

Ma Wei-ling: We used to weep when we saw Matsu. When we saw Matsu's palanquin coming…I'd weep bitterly. It was like seeing my own mother. Like I hadn't seen her for countless years and then we finally met up.

Cai Jia-zhang: I've got a new heart. So I'm able to carry this incense and charge ahead at speed.

Huang Gu-jiang: I don't know but when the time arrives I always seem to go, that's it.

Guest

Happy Lee:The background of this family in terms of religious faith is somewhat similar to myself. Perhaps, after meeting with each other we'll have even more to chat about. I've been around the block too. And I'm still religious to this day. So I'm clear about where their hardships lie. Such a spirit is very admirable.