Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Beijing (Agenzia Fides) – Fides continues to receive statistics on the number of catechumens that entered the Church during the solemn Easter Vigil celebrated by Ecclesial Base Communities in mainland China, receiving the Sacraments of Christian initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist). While still awaiting the full statistics, we present these "fruits of faith and evangelization" collected during Easter.
In the Diocese of Ning Xia, a group of about ninety people received the sacraments, in the Vigil and on Easter Sunday. In the Cathedral of Yin Chuan, Bishop Joseph Li Jin administered the Sacraments of Christian Initiation to 23 catechumens. In the district of Cheng An in the Diocese of Han Dan, in the He Bei Province, which has 370,000 inhabitants, 13,000 of whom are Catholics, on Easter 2010 welcomed 99 catechumens who received the Sacraments. In the parish of Xi Liu, in the Province of Shaan Xi, 10 catechumens received the Sacraments of Christian Initiation "finally found the true meaning of life. And now they're even prepared to be witnesses of faith."
In the Cathedral of the Diocese of Tai Yuan, in the Shan Xi province, over 3,000 faithful attended the solemn celebration of the Easter Vigil, during which Baptism was administered to 55 catechumens and Confirmation and First Communion to 10. The parish of Sha Gou of the same diocese, saw 28 adults and 24 children enter the family of the children of God. The parish of Liu He welcomed 81 new members of the Church and organized a festival of brotherhood to welcome everyone, giving neophytes copy of Sacred Scripture, the Rosary, and the Liturgy of the Hours. On April 5, Easter Monday, the pastor baptized 60 babies as well. In the parish of Bo Xing, in the Province of Shan Dong, 21 adult catechumens received the Sacraments of Christian Initiation at the Vigil, and another 5 during the Solemn Eucharist on Easter Day. The parish of Xi Gao welcomed 11 new brothers and sisters as members of the Christian family. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 12/04/2010)
