ASIA/CHINA - 181 baptized on the Feast of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary, at the Cathedral of the Diocese of Tian Jin

Tai Yuan (Agenzia Fides) – On May 31 of this year, Feast of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary, 181 catechumens from the Cathedral parish in the Diocese of Tian Jin received the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Communion, thus becoming new members of the tiny flock of Tian Jin, in the great family of the Universal Church. Among the 181 adult newly-baptized faithful are 85 men and 96 women, 80% of whom are under the age of 40, 60% have finished college, and the majority come from non-Christian families.
The day after the celebration, the entire parish celebrated and welcomed the newly-baptized at a Mass, expressing their commitment to accompany them. One of the 181 said, “The first catechism class really impressed me, because they spoke about the ‘meaning of life.’ I had a lot of difficulties in my life and work, and I couldn’t find a satisfactory response. Now I am convinced that God loves me, He loves us all, and I have found all the answers in God, who is the source of all and our destiny.” Many of them gave up their vacations and free time to continue attending catechesis and preparing themselves as best they could to receive the Sacraments. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 13/6/2008)