Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Heng Shui (Agenzia Fides) – Over 60 faithful, led by their Pastor, Fr. Zhang Jian Tong and two diocesan religious sisters working in the Cathedral of the Diocese of Jing Xian (today Heng Shui) have gone out to bring the Gospel message to the most remote villages of the Diocese. On February 16, in spite of heavy snowing and the difficulties on the road, the faithful prayed, sang, and danced, in a presentation of Bible stories for the local people.
At the end of the day, in the Mass, Fr. Zhang distributed Communion to the local Catholics who were moved at being able to receive the Body of Christ after such a long time. The Pastor also blessed the non-Catholics present, promising to return soon.
The Diocese of Jing Xian (today Heng Shui) was once a mission of French Jesuits. By 1939, it was an Apostolic Prefecture and was raised to the level of diocese in 1947. In 1952, the community was composed of nearly 3-4,000 faithful. Today, the Diocese of Jing Xian (Heng Shui) has 25,000 Catholics, 31 priests, 26 major seminarians, and 81 minor seminarians, 30 churches, 5 clinics. The Diocesan Congregation of Our Lady of Good Counsel, which reopened in January 1987, today has 78 religious sisters, 12 novices, and 25 postulants. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 24/02/2009)
