Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Beijing (Agenzia Fides) – Nearing the end of the Month of the Missions, in the Year of Saint Paul, and immediately following the celebration of World Mission Sunday, Agenzia Fides has gathered reports and information regarding the many initiatives taking place during this time in the Chinese Catholic world, in favor of the evangelizing mission of the Church, in communion with the Holy Father and the Universal Church.
In continental China, the Pauline missionary spirit, the Word of God, and confidence in the maternal protection of Our Lady of the Rosary have all been a part of the Masses celebrated and on World Mission Sunday. The parish groups in Gui Yang Bei Tang, in the Diocese of Gui Zhou, began their second phase of events in honor of the Year of Saint Paul and the celebration of World Mission Sunday, with the theme: “Sound the trumpet of evangelization.” In addition to Mass, Eucharistic Adoration and a Procession, they showed their missionary zeal in concrete actions such as visiting the elderly, the sick, and troubled families, bringing them the Word of comfort from the Gospel.
The Diocese of Le Shan has placed the Pope's Message for the Year of St. Paul at the center of their celebration, with the phrase: “Understanding Paul by studying his Letters, preaching the Gospel, promoting harmony.” The Diocese of Shan Tou focused on works of charity and service towards society. For World Mission Sunday, the Catholic Church held a Blood Drive at the Cathedral. Everyone from priests to laity gave blood, to show the Church's participation in meeting the needs of society.
The Missionary Congress held in the Diocese of Han Dan took place on World Mission Sunday, at the Cathedral. After a certain time of sharing experiences and analyzing the situation of diocesan evangelization efforts, participants received a “missionary mandate” from the priests. The youth missionary Vigil at the parish in Bei Tang of Shi Jia Zhuang (Diocese of Zheng Ding), celebrated on October 18, was attended by 300 university students and nearly 50 youth immigrants, Catholics and non alike. The parish of Nan She, in the Diocese of Tai Yuan, opened its World Mission Sunday celebration with the theme: “Love in everywhere in the world, the Gospel everywhere in the world.” The exposition prepared on the Church's mission registered nearly one thousand visitors.
In addition to the encounters, there were round-table discussions and other initiatives that emphasized the passing-on of the missionary flame from generation to generation. The Diocese of Hong Kong (with its 27 women's religious institutes and 18 men's religious institutes) celebrated World Mission Sunday this year with the anniversaries of several of the religious congregations who have greatly contributed to Hong Kong's society, in the area of pastoral ministry, formation, and education, as well as in healthcare and prison ministry. Among these religious institutes with anniversaries in 20008 are the Paris Foreign Missions (MEP), the Pontifical Institute for the Foreign Missions (PIME), the Daughters of Charity (Canossians), the Sisters of Saint Paul of Chartres, the Maryknoll Missionaries, the Franciscan Friars Minor, the “Verbiti”, the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows, the Sisters of the Lord's Annunciation, the Discalced Carmelites, and the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate (PIME Sisters). The Sisters of Charity are also celebrating their 40th anniversary, and the Contemplative Missionaries of the Fraternity celebrate their 25th anniversary of foundation.
The Church in Taiwan has also joined the celebration of World Mission Sunday with the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Evangelization of the island, emphasizing the role of the youth in the missions, with the Taiwan's Youth Day, held October 9-12. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 24/10/2008)
