Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Agenzia Fides) - “Tian Zhuu Jiang Fu Zhong Guo! (God Bless China!)” These were the words of Cardinal Ivan Dias, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, at the close of his homily at the Mass celebrated on Saturday, May 24, on the occasion of the World Day of Prayer for the Church in China. The celebration took place in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, which the Cardinal himself described as the “mother of all Marian shrines.”
The Mass in Rome was a response to the indications given by the Holy Father Benedict XVI in his Letter to Chinese Catholics, issued June 30, 2007. In addition, May 24 is also the day that Chinese Catholics celebrate the feast of Our Lady Help of Christians, who is venerated in the Marian Shrine of Sheshan, in the diocese of Shanghai. Nearly 1,000 faithful - Catholics and non-Catholics - Chinese, Italians, and people of other nations paused for a minute of silence to remember the victims of the earthquake in Sichuan, while the bells of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major tolled during the Prayer of the Faithful. The Chinese Catholics from Prato, Florence, Naples, Milan, Treviso, and Rome, along with Italian faithful, took part in the Mass that was concelebrated by some 80 Chinese and Italian priests with participation from seminarians from the Urban College. The liturgy was celebrated in Chinese and Italian and the songs were sung in Chinese.
Cardinal Dias spoke of the fruits that had already emerged from the Pope’s Letter over the course of this year, especially in the unity among Chinese Catholics, the closeness and a friendly gestures between the Holy See and China, as was seen in the Concert that “was a beautiful gesture made by Chinese authorities towards the Holy Father. And the Holy Father has shown a great recognition towards the Chinese people. After the earthquake, the Holy Father showed his great sympathy in the General Audience held immediately following the tragedy, offering encouragement to the relief workers and survivors, and launching a worldwide appeal for aid for the victims of the earthquake. Shortly after, the Holy Father himself wrote the Prayer to Our Lady of Sheshan and asked that we celebrate this Mass today,” the Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples said. In his homily, he also mentioned that “in paradise there will be no distinction between underground Catholics and official Catholics...the Pope appreciates the faith and fidelity of the Chinese Catholics.”
The Cardinal also spoke of the importance of uniting themselves in imitation of the Virgin Mary’s attitude as it is depicted in the statue of Our Lay of Sheshan, where she is shown presenting Her Son to the world. Cardinal Dias concluded his homily in Chinese.
The head of the Italian Bishops’ Immigration Office also spoke a few words at the end of the Mass, expressing the support and heartfelt greetings of the Director of the Office and of Italian Catholics in general. He also mentioned the complete willingness of the Italian Church to help the faithful living in Italy, as well as those in China. In conclusion, Cardinal Dias imparted the Apostolic Blessing on behalf of Pope Benedict XVI.
In China, other thousands of faithful from Beijing and all over China flocked to the Marian Shrine of Hou Sang Yu and other local diocesan shrines, in order to live this day of prayer in union with the Universal Church. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 26/5/2008; righe 45, parole 573)
