Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Shi Jia Zhuang (Agenzia Fides) – The Chinese Catholic Liturgical Calendar for 2009 will be exclusively dedicated to the Marian devotions around the world. According to the Director of Faith, the largest Catholic publication and publishing house in continental China, “on the occasion of the Holy Father Benedict XVI’s visit to Lourdes for the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady, we have seen a growing devotion to Mary among Chinese Catholics. Clearly, the Chinese Catholics have always had a devotion to her, but this year, thanks to the prayer personally written by the Holy Father to Our Lady of Sheshan, their devotioon has grown. For example, on the feast of Mary’s Assumption on August 15, with the stifling heat typical of August, the churches and prayer centers were filled to the brim. Our decision is meant to be a means of sharing this devotion of Chinese Catholics, in union with the Universal Church, responding to the Pope’s teachings.” (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 9/9/2008)
