Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Beijing (Agenzia Fides) – Supported by the light of faith lit 420 years ago by the Jesuit missionary Matteo Ricci, the church of Beijing dedicated to the Immaculate Conception has inaugurated a special "Year of Grace". A special time in which participation, practices and celebrations related to the Jubilee of Hope 2025 are intertwined with those planned on the occasion of the 420 years since the foundation of the church, linked to the figure of Father Matteo Ricci.
On Tuesday, January 14, the community of the Church of the Immaculate began these celebrations with a solemn Eucharistic celebration, coinciding with the "Day of Saints" which is celebrated throughout the diocese of Beijing. On this day, the Blessed Odorico da Pordenone (1286-1331), Blessed James Zhou Wenmo (martyred in Korea in 1795) and Venerable Matteo Ricci are remembered in particular, according to the indications of the pastoral vademecum "Pilgrims of Hope and Builders of Peace".
In his homily, Father Peter Zhao Jianmin highlighted the contribution of these three figures in the life of the diocese: "Father Ricci travelled tirelessly to bring the flame of faith to this land. His wisdom, courage and dedication have left a deep mark on all of us... Likewise, the testimonies of Blessed Odorico and Blessed James Zhou Wenmo have strengthened our faith and renewed our commitment to proclaim the Gospel."
The parish priest, Father Zhang Hongbo, officially announced the celebrations for the 420th anniversary of the founding of the church, which will include community and spiritual activities. All those present at the Eucharistic liturgy received a book on the life of Matteo Ricci and a manual for living the Jubilee of Hope to the full.
The initiative to celebrate a year dedicated to celebrating the founding of the Church aims to make known the history of the parish, so that everyone can find consolation and spiritual growth in recalling the events, the vicissitudes and the flourishing of gifts of grace and good works that have marked the path of this ecclesial community throughout its 420 years of history.
The opening of the Jubilee of Hope of the Diocese of Beijing took place on Saturday, December 28. All the priests, nuns and a multitude of lay people of the Diocese of Beijing had gathered in front of the cathedral square, dedicated to San Salvatore, where the ordinary bishop, Joseph Li Shan, and the coadjutor bishop, Matthew Zhen Xuebin, presided over the solemn celebration of the beginning of the Jubilee Year in the capital of the People's Republic of China. Everyone listened in silence to the public reading of long excerpts from “Spes non confundit”, the Papal Bull proclaiming the Jubilee. Then, in procession, everyone crossed the Holy Door singing the “Prayer of the Saints”.
Furthermore, in accordance with the indications of the Bull “Spes non confundit” and also with those of the “Letter of Pope Francis for the remembrance in the particular Churches of their Saints, Blesseds, Venerables and Servants of God”, signed by the Bishop of Rome on November 9 (on the feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica), the Church of Beijing published the provisions and suggestions “Pilgrims of hope and peacemakers” to live the Jubilee Year intensely at the diocesan, parish and family level. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides, 16/1/2025)
