Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Hang Zhou (Agenzia Fides) - The first Chinese church dedicated to the Patron Saint of the Missions, Saint Therese of of the Child Jesus, solemnly celebrated on October 1 the patronal festival, to pay special tribute to the Relics of the Saint, permanently kept in the Shrine. According to what Faith of He Bei reported to Fides, more than 300 faithful from different cities attended the Eucharist on the liturgical Feast of Saint Teresa, in the parish dedicated to Her, which lies in the district of Chang An in the city of Hau Ning, in the diocese of Hanmg Zhou, Zhe Jiang province. Preparations had begun several days earlier, with the novena and other spiritual initiatives. In addition, the church and the surrounding streets were decorated with banners which had a missionary character.
During the homily, the priest traced the life of the saint, and above all her missionary vocation, nourished by prayer and indulged by her parents, thus encouraging the faithful to promote the vocation in children and young people of today. After Mass, all those present gathered in prayer before the Relics of the Saint, which were donated to the parish by Sister Celine Martin (1869-1959), one of St. Therese’s four sisters.
In 2009 the parish celebrated its 80th anniversary. It is the first Chinese church dedicated to the Patron Saint of the Missions, and also the first church built with the offerings of the faithful. Today the Shrine is the most visited in the south area of the blue river. Thanks to a wise and courageous local nun, the Relics of the Saint are kept in the Sanctuary, they were not even destroyed during the Cultural Revolution. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 03/10/2011)
