Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Zhan Jiang (Agenzia Fides) – There were over 3,000 faithful from Blessed Trinity Parish in the Diocese of Zhan Jing (in the Province of Guang Dong) who participated in the Eucharistic Procession organized for celebrating the Chinese New Year. The long procession, with its musical band, flowers, “angels,” children, catechumens, youth...went through 8 Catholic villages, an extent of 5 kilometers, lasting over 3 hours.
Blessed Trinity Parish, which is over 100 years old, has kept up this great tradition, which was only interrupted during the cultural revolution. Every year, on the third day of the Chinese New Year, the Catholics gather to take part in the Eucharistic Procession, after having participated in an evening presentation, in which the procession is announced and even non-Catholics are invited to attend. Thus, even many non-Catholics are seen delightfully joining in the procession. Wherever the procession goes, the faithful adore the Eucharist on bended knee, thanking the Lord for the past year and calling on His protection for the new year. The Diocese of Zhan Jiang, founded in 1995, was part of the Diocese of Pakhoi (today Bei Hai is in the autonomous region of Guang Xi), however the Gospel reached these lands over 300 years ago, thanks to Portuguese Jesuit missionary Fr. Romin Hinderer (1669-1744). After 1845, the mission passed to the Paris Foreign Missions Society (MEP). Today, the diocese has nearly 40,000 faithful, with 4 priests, 17 religious women and 2 novices of the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, as well as 16 churches. The Bishop is Bishop Paul Su da Nian, ordained a priest on May 19, 1991 and consecrated Bishop on November 9, 2004. The Cathedral, dedicated to Saint Victor, was built by the priests of the MEP in 1902. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 3/2/2009)
