Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Shi Jia Zhuan (Agenzia Fides) – The Catholic community on the mainland celebrated the feast of St. Therese of Lisieux, Patroness of the Missions, at the beginning of the month dedicated to the missions, in communion with the Universal Church. The saint of Lisieux is, in fact, well known in mainland China. There are many parishes, charitable groups, missionaries, centers of spirituality, and religious congregations named after her. Her intercession was especially invoked for the mission in China, especially in light of the special attention and love that the Saint showed towards the Chinese throughout her short life on earth.
The Congregation of the Holy Spirit, Comforter, of the Diocese of Han Dan, Province of He Bei, celebrated the feast of St. Therese with the first vows of 3 novices of the 14th generation of novices since the congregation was reopened. Before the ceremony, the novices went on an 8-day spiritual retreat on the religious life and the mission of evangelization, according to the example of the Saint of Lisieux. Coinciding with the opening of the month of missions and in preparation for World Mission Sunday, the profession of the vows was preceded by a solemn procession of the Cross, led by dozens of priests, with the participation of about a thousand faithful. The Congregation of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus also celebrated the feast with the profession of vows, presided over by Bishop Xiao Ze Jiang, Coadjutor of the Diocese of Gui Zhou. 13 priests concelebrated the Mass, while 30 sisters and more than 700 faithful attended the ceremony. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 04/10/2010)
