Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Su Zhou (Agenzia Fides) - Thousands participated in the consecration of the renovated Our Lady of the Rosary parish in Yan Gang, Chang Shu city diocese of Su Zhou province of Jiang Su, presided by the Bishop on 13 October with dozens of priests from neighbouring dioceses. The only church in Chang Shu soon to mark its 150th anniversary has a new image, marked with missionary spirit. Today the parish has 15,000 faithful.
Our Lady of the Rosary parish dates to 1853 and was moved a few times until 1861 when it settled where it is now. Chang Shu is well known to Catholics. In 1664 there were 10,000 Catholics It is the birthplace of famous painter Wu Yu Shan born in 1632 and baptised Simon Xavier in 1676, he entered the Jesuit seminary in Macao in 1682. Ordained a priest by China's first Dominican Bishop Gregorio Luo Wen Zao, he evangelised fisherfolk and peasants. He died in 1718.
Jesuit Cardinal Ignatius Gong Pin Mei was the first Bishop of Su Zhou diocese in 1949. But the area was evangelised in the time of Jesuit missionary Fr Matteo Ricci, who visited the town in 1598. Today there are 60,000 Catholics, 17 priests, 12 parishes, 19 places of worship. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 30/10/2007 - righe 33, parole 422 )
