Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Beijing (Agenzia Fides) - World Mission Day marks a "new beginning of evangelization" for mainland Catholic community. This is what priests of various continental Catholic communties report to Fides. As reported in Faith newsletter of the community of He Bei, that reported the news of various celebrations, the Day took place in the continent in communion with the universal Church, following the teaching of the Pope in his message titled "As the Father has sent me, so I send you". Several initiatives such as pilgrimages, prayer meetings, worship and public testimony marked the celebration on October 23.
The parishes of the Diocese of Nan Chong, in the province of Si Chuan, chose to celebrate it with a pilgrimage to the famous Marian Shrine of She Shan in the Shanghai diocese, while other communities in Beijing and Nanjing dedicated special prayers for the Church's mission, invoking the protection of Our Lady Help of Christians for the faith of Chinese Catholics.
The 9 parishes of the diocese of Yi Du, in the province of Shan Dong, collected the funds for missions and especially for the construction of the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes of the diocese. In addition, a festival was dedicated to the theme of evangelization, may "the flame of mission continue to burn".
Over 400 members of the parish of Xi Ning celebrated in the Day dedicated to the Missions, the elevation of the Cross. According to the parish priest, "after two and a half months of hard work, we finally fulfilled our dream of seeing the great Cross renewed that stands out on our church. It is the symbol of a new beginning of our evangelizing mission: we want it to continue under the Cross that protects us, guides us and strengthens us". (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 25/10/2011)
