Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Shanghai (Agenzia Fides) – “Since the visible temple has been rebuilt, we must now also make the interior temple of our heart more spiritually alive”. This is the exhortation addressed by Joseph Shen Bin, Bishop of the diocese of Shanghai to the baptized Catholics of his diocese on the occasion of the reconsecration and inauguration of two churches dedicated to Saint Joseph in view of the solemnity dedicated to the Holy Spouse of the Virgin Mary and putative father of Jesus, on March 19.
On Sunday, March 16, the second Sunday of Lent, Bishop Shen Bin consecrated the church in Tianma, Songjiang district. At the liturgy attended by more than a thousand people, Bishop Shen Bin also conferred the sacrament of Confirmation to more than two hundred adults. During his homily, Shen Bin also thanked all the priests, nuns and lay people of the parish for their dedication and commitment in supporting the restoration of the church, and also the civil authorities for their logistical support. “May this temple of God’s grace,” the Bishop hoped, “be a welcoming house of faith for all, so that we can walk together towards holiness under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.”
The fervent devotion to Saint Joseph, Patron Saint of China, has been handed down among Chinese Catholics from generation to generation, and is revived every year in March, the month dedicated to the Saint. In China, many churches, ecclesiastical structures, seminaries, national and diocesan religious congregations, charitable institutions (orphanages, homes for the elderly) and schools are dedicated to Saint Joseph. Chinese shrines dedicated to the Saint welcome pilgrims and devotees from all parts of China and abroad.
On Saturday, March 15, Bishop Joseph Shen Bin had already presided over the consecration of another church in Beitaowan, in the Baoshan district, also dedicated to Saint Joseph. On that occasion, thirty diocesan priests concelebrated Mass in front of more than 300 faithful, and the sacrament of Confirmation was administered to 17 parishioners.
The Beitaowan church in the Baoshan district was built in 1650 during the Qing dynasty, and rebuilt around 1875. A primary school attached to the church was built in 1949. On March 10, 1989, it was restored and reopened to the faithful, becoming the first Catholic church to be reopened for worship in the Baoshan district.
The Tianma church, in the Songjiang district, was built in 1850. A hospital run by the Canossian nuns was also attached to the church. It was reopened for worship on 16 December 1989. Today, a public hospital stands on the site of the former hospital. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides, 17/3/2025)
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