Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Liao Ning (Agenzia Fides) - In China of today dominated by consumerism but where there is also a powerful reawakening of religious sentiments and spiritual searching, Catholic Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of Fu Shen, in the diocese of Liao Ning, recently took part in sports and games to show that consecrated life promotes spiritual and physical wellbeing. "Happy Sisters" was the name of the initiative and the athlete nuns took part wearing their religious habit. Mother Superior explained: “we wear our habit to show we are happy and proud to be Religious, that we love sports we are not distant from the world, closed in a convent like a cage. Sports helps our Sisters confirm their identity. They realise that religious life demands a balanced an happy mind. The games built bonds between the Sisters themselves and with the community and the faithful. The games were symbolic of St Paul's words. Despite difficulties we must reach our final destination the house of the Father”.
The Superior explained how it all happened: “Some of our younger sisters saw photographs of similar games in 2001, before they joined our community, and they asked us to organise a similar event.. Some 42 Sisters and a few lay woman took part. The oldest participant was Sister Bai Su Zhen, aged 90”. There were 14 different races, jumping, tug of war, chess etc,…. one 80 year old Sister said: “ Religious life is like a race. It demands concentration and perseverance. A Sister must be a happy and balanced person”. The Congregation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of Congregazione Fu Shen, in the diocese of Liao Ning, has 61 Sisters involved in pastoral work in parishes, teaching catechism and also social assistance in the diocese. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 21/11/2007 - righe 30, parole 375)
