Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Shi Jia Zhuang (Agenzia Fides) - "Let us pray for the Church in China, that faces major challenges in the life of the Church and society. Let us pray so that the Holy Spirit guides us ... and may Our Lady Help of Christians protect us": is the prayer of the faithful in the parish of Chang Shu, in the diocese of Su Zhou, like many other communities, during the solemn celebration of Pentecost, on Sunday May 24, together with the prayer of Pope Benedict XVI to Our Lady of Sheshan. During Mass in Chang Shu four infants were also baptized.
According to information gathered by Agenzia Fides, the World Day of Prayer for the Church in China proclaimed by Pope Benedict XVI eight years ago, was celebrated in many Chinese Catholic communities. This year May 24 coincided with the feast of the Pentecost.
The parish of Yi Shan in the Diocese of Wen Zhou, in the province of Zhe Jiang, responded to the Day with a solemn Marian procession, so that "the Church is one and united and a witness of Love".
On Sunday, the parish of Yan Jiao and the parish of Bao Ding in He Bei province, as well as the parish of Long Gang in the diocese of Wen Zhou, in Zhe Jiang province administered the sacraments of Christian initiation to 7, 13 and 38 catechumens, infants and adults.
Priests, nuns and some lay people of the diocese of Nan Chong, in the southern province of Sichuan, in view of Pentecost and 24 May went on a pilgrimage, also to celebrate the Year of Consecrated Life. Here they exchanged their experiences of faith, vocation, mission and pastoral activity. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 26/05/2015)
