Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Shi Jia Zhuang (Agenzia Fides) – “Could you please give us just the sack? Even though there is no rice inside, it has the Pope’s shield on it”: this is the unusual petition being made by earthquake victims, to the leaders and volunteer workers of Jinde Charity that are working on the site most severely hit by the earthquake of May 12, in the province of Si Chuan, continental China. The personal donation of the Holy Father has already been converted into rice and distributed to victims. When they saw the Pope’s shield printed on the sacks, they were all amazed and enthusiastic. Word spread, and soon many began telling Jinde Charity volunteers: “we know that there is not enough rice for everyone. We can give up the rice, but we just want the Pope’s symbol, and seeing it we won’t be hungry anymore. We will frame it and tell of the event to our children and grandchildren...to express our gratitude for the Pope’s closeness. Please!”
On the webpage that offers a list of the names of donors who have helped victims, prepared by Jinde Charity (www.jinde.org/jinde-donor.asp?page=2), the name of Pope Benedict XVI also appears. According to the webpage’s coordinator “after this publication, our telephone lines were crowded with calls. We received e-mails and faxes from Chinese Catholics and non-Catholics, expressing their gratitude to the Pope and their great excitement at perceiving his presence so close to them.” (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 04/07/2008)
