Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Shang Hai (Agenzia Fides) - “Mission never stops” was the theme of Mission Congresses held in the parishes of 6 deaneries in the diocese of Shang Hai and well attended by the local Catholics. According to the diocesan web site the congresses are being held in this month of October. The parish of the Assumption held its congress on 1 and 2 October to recall the patron saint of the missions St Therese of Lisieux. The parish prepared print and on-line material and information on the event, volunteers handed out leaflets, CDs and DVDs inviting everyone to take part. Prayer, sharing of mission experience and welcoming new Catholics, methods of mission were the main contents of the Evangelisation Congresses which all closed with a mission mandate. Information was also given in sign language and in Braille for sight or hearing impaired persons. A local priest said “each Congress was a gift of God's grace for the diocese of Shang Hai, a fruit of evangelisation a magnificent example of community cooperation”.
The diocese of Shang Hai, is preparing to celebrate its 400th anniversary since it was evangelised in 1608 by Jesuit Father Lazarus Cattaneo, with the help of Paolo Xu, close cooperator with Fr. Matteo Ricci. For 300 years Shang Hai Mission was entrusted to the Jesuits from the province of Paris until it was made a diocese in 1946, the year in which the Catholic hierarchy was established in China. Shang Hai has one of the most beautiful basilicas in Asia, dedicated to Our Lady of She Shan (a minor Basilica since 1942). Today the diocese has 140,000 Catholics, about 70 priests, 70 women religious, 11 novices and 16 postulants, and 100 churches and chapels. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 25/10/2007 - righe 26, parole 346)
