ASIA/CHINA - Month of May opens with pilgrimages to Marian Shrines

Hai Ning (Agenzia Fides) – At the beginning of this month of May, China's Catholics are manifesting deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary with pilgrimages to the various Marian Shrines in the country and also in preparation for the World Day of Prayer for the Catholic Church in China on 24 May, launched by Pope Benedict XVI. Xia Shi parish in the city of Hai Ning, in the Chinese province of Zhe Jiang, opened the month of May with a solemn pilgrimage to the Marian Shrine of She Shan, following the indications contained in the Letter addressed by the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, in 2007 to Chinese Catholics. Hundreds of parishioners set out at dawn on Saturday 1 May for the Marian Shrine of She Shan. After hymns, meditation, prayers, the Rosary and the Stations of the Cross, on arriving they took part in a solemn Mass presided by 90 year of Bishop Jin Lu Xian of Shang Hai, to live together the opening of the month of May dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The diocese of Ji Nan, Shan Dong Province, opened Marian celebrations at the local Shrine dedicated to Our Lady. Some 2,000 faithful of the diocese of Ji Nan gathered at the local Marian Shrine with the diocesan Bishop, clergy and women religious. This initiative marked the first of a month of deeply spiritual events planned in the diocese. The Bishop of Ji Nan, Bishop Zhang, said the aim was to “ lead the faithful through Mary to Jesus”. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 05/05/2010 - righe 22; parole 228)