Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Tai Yuan (Agenzia Fides) – The 33 catechumens of the Cathedral of the Diocese of Tai Yuan, in the Province of Shan Xi, China mainland, accompanied by their godparents, have participated in the examinations which were presided by Fr. Meng Ning You, on December 7, on the eve of the feast of its patroness, the Immaculate Conception. After having undergone a very thorough period of catechesis, they will receive the Sacraments of Christian Initiation immediately following the feast of Christmas, on Sunday, December 28, Feast of the Holy Family, so they “begin a new year with a new life.” Fr. Meng reminded the catechumens and their godparents, as well as the entire community, that “the path of faith does not end in Baptism, but rather it is the opening of a new part of the path that is more difficult, in which the faith is kept alive by sharing it.”
The Cathedral of the Diocese of Tai Yuan, founded by Franciscans and dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, celebrated its centennial anniversary of consecration in 2005, thanking the Lord for all the abundant fruits of evangelization that it has given. Today, it is also a cultural patrimony of the province. The Diocese of Tai Yuan is located in the Province of Shan Xi, which has a long and glorious history of evangelization, with many heroic martyrs, beginning with the first Bishop Gregorio Grassi, OFM. It was evangelized by the famous Jesuit companion of Fr. Matteo Ricci, Fr. Giulio Aleni, in 1620, and his successor, the Belgian Jesuit Alphonsus A. Vagnoni, known as “the apostle of Shan Xi.” In 1890, the diocese was erected, with the first Bishop, the Italian Bishop Gregorio Grassi, who was martyred in 1900. Today, the diocese has 27 churches, 90 prayer sites and missionary stations, 50 priests, 30 religious, and 80,000 faithful. Two bishops, 24 priests, religious, and laity of the diocese were canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2000. They were beatified in 1946. There are also 2 Marian shrines (one to Our Lady of Grace and the other to Our Lady of Sorrows). The Catholic community has also opened a center for charitable services, a library and reading room, and a small religious bookstore. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 10/12/2008)
