ASIA/CHINA - Franciscans in China join in 800th anniversary celebrations for the approval of the Rule of Saint Francis with renewal of religious vows

Feng Xiang (Agenzia Fides) – The Franciscans living in China met in the Diocese of Feng Xiang, in the Province of Shaan Xi, on April 16, to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the birth of the order, in the approval of the first Franciscan Rule by Pope Innocent III, in communion with the great Franciscan family dispersed throughout the world. During the Mass, there were also those who made their perpetual vows. Various congregations inspired by the Franciscan ideal came from the provinces of He Bei, Shan Xi, Shaan Xi take part in the Mass presided by Bishop Luca Li Jing Feng, 87th Bishop of the Diocese of Feng Xiang (who was invited by the Holy Father to attend the Synod and wrote a letter, which was read during the Synod, expressing his gratitude to the Holy Father), along with 38 priests who were concelebrating. The elderly Bishops exhorted the Franciscans to dedicate themselves completely to the mission of “rebuilding God's house that is in need of repair,” fighting secularism, consumerism, and liberalism which damage the Church and society, and preaching the Gospel with courage, offering today's society in China a testimony of Jesus Christ.
The Mass was attended by many religious from the Franciscan Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary from the Diocese of Lao He Kou of Hu Bei; the Congregation of Saint Elizabeth of the Diocese of Chang Zhi of the Province of Shan Xi; the Franciscan Congregation of Our Lady; the Franciscans of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Franciscan Sisters of St. Teresa of Child Jesus of the Diocese of Feng Xiang. Over 100 members of the Third Order were also present, along with 65 other Franciscan Sisters. In addition, 3 Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary made perpetual vows and 3 brothers from the Order of Friars Minor made temporal vows. In the Mass, all the Franciscans present (Conventuals, Capuchins, Friars Minor, and Third Order) renewed their vows in the presence of the crowds of faithful. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 21/04/2009)