ASIA/CHINA-Many believers received Baptism, Confirmation and First Communion at Pentecost

Shi Jia Zhuang (Agenzia Fides) – The continental Catholic community celebrated the feast of Pentecost with the administration of the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and First Communion to many of the faithful, and many other initiatives emphasized the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church. According to what was reported to Fides by Faith of He Bei, more than 3,500 faithful attended the solemn Mass celebrated in the Catholic village of Xiao Han Cun, of the Diocese of Tian Jinm, during which 14 Readers of the Holy Scripture received the mandate after completing a period of formation. In the village there are many migrant workers from the city of Tian Jin.
In the parish of Nan Tang of the Diocese of Xi An, 31 catechumens received the sacraments of Christian initiation by His Exc. Mgr. Joseph Dang Ming Yan, diocesan Bishop. The choice of the date of Pentecost is significant because the newbies "are born to new life with the Church. The Holy Spirit illuminates their heart leads them towards evangelization" according to the words of the Bishop. In 2011 the parish had more than 300 new believers. At Easter and Pentecost of this year, 99 catechumens were baptized. In addition, many migrant workers were baptized, confirmed and received their First Communion in the parishes of the diocese of Xi An, after following the course of catechism. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 28/5/2012)