Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Agenzia Fides) – As they do every year, Chinese Catholics are preparing to celebrate the November 2nd Feast of All Souls, in communion with the Universal Church. In these days, various Catholic communities are preparing with Novenas, retreats, Blessing of the Sick, and of course, the visit to the graves of the deceased, especially those who have no one to pray for them and the foreign missionaries buried in China. The parishes have published the Mass schedules for Masses for the Dead, which will be held in Catholic churches and cemeteries, taking care of the logistics of organization of the buses, etc.
As a priest from He Bei told Agenzia Fides, “our traditional celebration of the Feast of All Souls is marked by evangelization and inculturation. Evangelization, because we remember and recall the foreign missionaries who left everything to bring us to Christ. Inculturation, because as Catholics we celebrate All Souls on November 2 and April 5. The first date is that given by the Catholic Church, while the second is the Chinese feast of remembrance of the dead (Qing Ming). Many aspects of the Chinese culture (respect for the elderly, devotion to ancestors and the dead...) find harmony with the Christian faith.”
In the last 4 years, Chinese faithful have held a special honor for the memory of their beloved Pope John Paul II, along with the remembrance of many missionaries. “Thanks be to God, there are many well-preserved tombs of missionaries, such as that of Fr. Matteo Ricci,” the priest said. “The visit is to pay homage to them and it is an extraordinary experience that allows us to recuperate our courage and enthusiasm, following their example, to show everyone the Love of Christ.” (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 29/10/2009)
