Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Shang Hai (Agenzia Fides) – “Pray for the sanctification of the 408,000 Catholic priests in the world, pray for these 5 deacons, future priests, that they may have the holiness which the name of apostle of Jesus deserves, and that they may evangelise the whole world”. Bishop Joseph Xing Wen Zhi, Auxiliary of the diocese of Shang Hai, opened the Year of the Priesthood and closed the Year of St Paul during a solemn celebration of the Eucharist in Shang Hai Cathedral on 20 June. According to reports sent to Fides, more than 3,000 priests, religious and lay faithful took part in the liturgy of ordination. Of the 5 new deacons, 3 belong to the diocese of Shang Hai and 2 belong to the dioceses of Wen Zhou and An Hui. At the end of the Mass holy pictures vocations were distributed with on the front images of Jesus the Good Shepherd and St Jean Marie Vianney and on the back a prayer for priestly vocations.
In his homily at Mass to open the Year of the Priesthood in the diocese of Ji Nan, province of Shan Dong, Bishop Zhang Xian Wang, spoke of Pope Benedict's call to priests “ to imitate St Jean Marie Vianney Maria Vianney and his humble and faithful service”; and he urged the Catholic laity to “pray for the sanctification of their priests”.
A solemn celebration of the Eucharist on June 19, opened the Year of the Priesthood in the diocese of Nan Chong, province of Si Chuan, recently struck by an earthquake. Many other dioceses, parishes and Basic Ecclesial Communities opened the Year of the Priesthood following the indications of the Pope and in communion with the Pope and with the universal Church. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 24/06/2009 - righe 27, parole 289)
