Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Beijing (Fides Service) - Rosary and meditations led by priests who studied abroad in the morning and Rosary and Stations of the Cross in the afternoon: this is the programme of a 3 day retreat at Holy Saviour parish in Beijing. According to our sources over 700 faithful take part every day at the retreat which started yesterday and will close tomorrow 1 April. In the crowded church there are the faithful elderly Catholics, but there are also many young workers who have spared days of their holiday to live this important Christian season. The themes treated by the priests are many: liturgy, spirituality of the cross…. Moreover the participants recalled and prayed intensely for beloved Pope John Paul II invoking his protection for Chinese Catholics. The vice director of the national seminary who had an audience with the Pope last Summer shared his joy and happiness with the faithful.
Holy Saviour parish was the cathedral of the archdiocese of Beijing. It was consecrated and inaugurated on 9 December 1703 by the Jesuit missionaries and included an observatory and the library. Through the years until today the Catholic district was built up. Passed to the Lazarists in 1773 it was the see of Archbishop Thomas Tian (1946) the first Chinese cardinal. After the Cultural Revolution it was returned to the Catholic community in 1985 and re-consecrated at Christmas of the same year. Today 20 years later the parish is the most numerous and active Catholic community in Beijing. (Agenzia Fides 31/03/2006 Righe: 20 Parole: 257)
