Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Shanghai (Agenzia Fides) - There were about 150 faithful of the diocese of Shanghai who participated in the pilgrimage to welcome the new year 2012. In particular, they prayed for the priest and the six major seminarians who tragically died during a car accident that occurred in the province of He Bei on December 11. The dual goal of their pilgrimage - the parish of Our Lady of Lourdes of Jia Ding in the diocese of Shanghai and Tai Cang community of the Diocese of Su Zhou in Jiang Su province - is made up of very significant places for the long journey of the Church in China.
According to what was reported to Fides by Faith of He Bei, the group of pilgrims left on January 1, 2012 after taking part in the solemn Eucharist. During the first stop off, the parish of Our Lady of Lourdes of Jia Ding, whose territory was evangelized by the famous Jesuit missionary, one of Father Matteo Ricci’s companions, Fr. Lazzaro Cattaneo, listened to the historical presentation made by the pastor. In fact, here the first meeting of representatives of Chinese Catholics was held, in 1627, during which the Chinese translation of the word "God", the issue of Chinese rites and inculturation was discussed. The second stop off of the pilgrimage was in the community of Tai Cang in the diocese of Su Zhou, which has over 10 thousand faithful with 5 parishes run by 3 priests, pilgrims prayed with the local faithful for the priests and major seminarians who tragically died during the car accident. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 09/01/2012)
