ASIA/CHINA - World Day of Prayer for the Church in China: pilgrimages and prayers of the Catholic communities throughout the month of Mary

Shi Jia Zhuang (Agenzia Fides) - Today, May 24, feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary Help of Christians, the Day of prayer for the Church in China is celebrated around the World proclaimed by Pope Benedict XVI. Mgr. Ma Da Qin, vicar of the diocese of Shanghai, in whose jurisdiction the Sanctuary is found, presided this morning's solemn Mass in the Shrine of Our Lady of She Shan, in communion with the universal Church and in response to the Holy Father’s appeal.
They are however a number of initiatives on behalf of the Catholic communities that have characterized the Catholic Marian month. According to what was reported to Fides by Faith of He Bei, the Chinese faithful have made many pilgrimages to Marian shrines throughout the month, praying for China and the world in preparation for today’s Day, to strengthen faith in union with the Pope, successor of Peter, deepening the Marian spirituality.
From May 19 to 21, the parish of Quan Zhou organized three days of pilgrimage and retreat "to deepen and purify themselves, to grow in love for the Church, in union with the Church and the faithful." In the month of Mary, every parish in the Diocese of Wen Zhou made his/her Marian pilgrimage "which is the path of conversion and purification; a path of communion with the Mystical Body of Christ." According to a priest of the diocese, "today’s day, May 24, is a moment of special closeness to the Pope and the Universal Church. We prayed for the communion of the Church, for the Church in China and the Universal Church." Moreover, "during the pilgrimage, we are convinced of the urgency of evangelization. Now it is time to do something." (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 24/5/2012)