Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Beijing (Agenzia Fides) - More than 50 priests concelebrated a solemn Mass at the National Chinese Seminary in Beijing on Sunday 13 May, the annual Day of Prayer for Vocations. The Mass was presided by Rev Thomas Law Kwok Fai, head of the Liturgy Commission of the diocese of Hong Kong, in the presence of 70 seminarians and 10 women religious who prayed for vocations in the Church in China and the universal Church, reflecting on Pope Benedict XVI's message for the Day, “Vocations at the Service of the Church-mission”.
With them, from Shan Xi, to Shaan Xi, Shan Dong, Zhong Nan, to Shang Hai, to Si Chuan, Shen Yang, the whole Chinese Catholic community prayed for vocations all over the world, with various initiatives, retreats, conferences, seminars, competitions, (hymns and articles on vocations …). The Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm by the students at China's ten Catholic seminaries. According to the rector of the National Major Seminary in Beijing Rev Liu Zhen Tian, “16 seminarians of the 1st and 2nd year of theology received the minor orders of lector and acolyte from the hands of the diocesan bishop, Bishop Giuseppe Li Shan during a solemn Mass at the Cathedral”. All the faithful prayed intensely for vocations.
The major seminary in He Bei celebrated the Day on 12 and 13 April. The seminarians took part in an oratory competition on the theme “ fraternal priestly friendship ”, “prayer life”, “my vocation ”, “the future of the priest”, again with reflection on the Papal Message. A retreat organised in the diocese of Han Dan, focussed on the theme “Eucharist and Vocation”, underlining that the vocation is the expression of eucharistic life.
The major seminary and the minor seminary of Ji Lin, celebrated the day together: 21 majors and 20 minors and about 30 priests renewed their commitment to follow their vocation.
Four years ago the diocese of Hai Men started a vocation formation service. The annual Day of Prayer for Vocations is also a good fund raising day. Offerings from 100 Chinese Catholics and a number of non Chinese faithful will go towards the formation of local seminarians and women religious.
Finally, about 100 Catholics in the diocese of Kai Feng attended a prayer meeting on the theme “Come, follow me” after a solemn Mass for vocations celebrated in the Cathedral. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 15/04/2008 - righe 34, parole 428)
