Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Beijing (Agenzia Fides) - Chinese Catholics are getting ready to celebrate the Universal Day of Prayer for the Church in China, called for Pope Benedict XVI in his letter to Chinese Catholics, signed May 27, 2007. Aware of Chinese Catholics’ devotion to Our Lady Help of Christians, whose feast is celebrated May 24, in his Letter, the Pope invites all faithful to join in praying on this day for the Church in China. In response to the Pope’s appeal and in preparation for this day and the month of Mary, various Chinese Catholic communities have begun organizing prayer encounters, novenas, festivities...According to information sent to Agenzia Fides, in the parish church of Yang Zhuang, in the Diocese of Ji Nan, on the evening of April 14, there was a prayer encounter which included non-Christian participants. The Pastor of the parish has stated that in light of the event’s success, there will surely be more encounters held. Some 300 faithful from the parish church of Hong Jia Lou, also in the Diocese of Ji Nan, participated in a prayer encounter held April 11. The encounter included a special prayer to the Madonna of She Shan, Our Lady Help of Christians, asking that She come to the aid of all Christians and protect China, allowing for an abundant flourishing of the evangelization effort. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 24/4/2008; righe 16, parole 220)
