Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bao Ding (Agenzia Fides) - “Come and see” is the slogan written in giant letters that the Cathedral of the Diocese of Bao Ding has hoisted along the main street, capturing the attention of all who see it. This is how celebrations began for World Mission Sunday in the Catholic community. The faithful decided to celebrate WMS in the street, announcing the Gospel to the people. All the parishioners participated. The little tables they set up with the invitation “Ask all your questions on the Catholic faith,” were attended by intrigued and interested passers-by. Many people who came to ask questions later signed up for catechism classes.
Brochures and other material on the faith were distributed. The missionary exposition showed 60 photos on parish life: baptisms, a visit to the Catholic orphanage, work with lepers, the parish choir, catechism classes for children, youth activities...According to organizers, over 1,800 contributions for the missions were received in one day alone.
The Diocese of Bao Ding, a mission of the French Lazzarist Fathers, is located in the heart of Catholic China: the Province of He Bei. It was established as a Apostolic Vicariate on December 3, 1924 and then as a Diocese in 1946, the year of the Institution of the Chinese Hierarchy. It is home to the most important Chinese Marian shrine: “Mary, Queen of China” in Dong Lv, along with the famous basilica to Our Lady, with the same name. During the First Council of the Chinese Catholic Church (May 15, 1924 – June 12, 1924), led by Apostolic Delegate of Pope Pius XI, Bishop Celso Constantini (future Cardinal), the Shrine at Dung Lv was recognized as the Shrine to Mary, Queen of China. Today, the Diocese of Bao Ding has over 50,000 faithful, 50 priests, 65 major seminarians and 35 minor seminarians, several sisters of the Congregation Little Sisters of Saint Therese, founded by the great and beloved Belgian missionary Fr. Vincent Lette. The Cathedral dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul was built by a French missionary in 1905, with a Roman style, and has over one thousand parishioners. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 28/10/2008)
