Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Agenzia Fides) – Thanksgiving for successful evangelisation during the Year of St Paul, enthusiastic willingness to celebrate the Year of the Priest according to the indications from the Holy Father Benedict XVI, in communion with the universal Church, marked the celebration of the solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul on 29 June, despite the fact that it was a working day, in Catholic communities all over mainland China. According to information sent to Fides, the closing of the Year of St Paul was lived as a 'new missionary departure' for the Year of the Priesthood'.
In Jin Zhong Catholic cathedral during a beautiful Mass the offertory gifts were brought to the altar by seven priests to symbolise their re-dedication to the Lord in this Year of the Priesthood. The priests renewed the commitment to live the priesthood with courage and to carry the Cross and the sheep on their shoulders, praying for all priests, starting with Pope Benedict XVI. During a seminar on Peter and Paul they listened to a presentation of the Pope's letter to Priests, by a foreign missionary. The bishops offered each priest a book of the writings of St Jean Marie Vianney.
In Wen Zhou diocese, in the province of Zhe Jiang, in the cathedral dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul, Catholics rejoiced for brilliant results obtained in the Year of St Paul. At the end of a special Mass the chancellor Rev Chen Shi Yu assessed the results: “No less than 1,663 baptisms and 1,055 confirmations were registered in the Year of St Paul. Forty new Basic Ecclesial Communities were formed. Our parishes organised 120 different activities on the theme of St Paul. Grateful to God and to St Paul we start this Year of the Priesthood with renewed faith and enthusiasm. Our prayer groups, our charity activities, the digital archive of the diocese, the alphabetisation of Sacred Scripture, the discovery of new methods of mission and the valorisation of sacred music, promoted during the Year of St Paul, will help us for the mission of the Year of the Priest ”.
More than a thousand faithful took part in the solemn Mass on June 29 in the cathedral of the diocese of Tai Yuan to give thanks for the Year of St Paul and at least 30 successful initiatives dedicated to Paul”. An elderly priest 87 year old Fr Li Chong De was held up as an example by the diocesan vicar: “despite his age he continues to transmit the Gospel wherever he goes, leading at least 100 people to request baptism every year”.
In Fu Feng Ying parish, in the diocese Zhou Zhi, during a solemn Mass, Catholics offered special prayer for priests and faithful bearing the name of Peter or Paul. They also confirmed commitment to continue evangelisation in the spirit of St Paul.
After Mass and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the cathedral of Yong Nian lay Catholics and priests listened to the Letter for the Year of the Priesthood, issued by the local Bishop. The Catholics of Bao Ding diocese celebrated a solemn Mass in the cathedral on June 29 for the feast of Peter and Paul, to close the Year of St Paul and to open the Year of the Priesthood. Over 400 faithful took part in a solemn Eucharistic Procession. To mark June 29, many dioceses organised initiatives of charity for example the people in Chang Sha diocese were encouraged to donate blood to help others, and free medical examinations for anyone with a complaint were organised by Lou Fan parish in the diocese of Tai Yuan. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 01/07/2009 - righe 45, parole 569)
