Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Beijing (Agenzia Fides) – The various Chinese Catholic communities throughout the mainland are living this Lent with an emphasis on spirituality and fasting, in communion with the Universal Church and according to the Holy Father's indications in his Message for Lent 2009. According to information released to Agenzia Fides, various communities have organized Lenten spiritual retreats to live their journey towards Easter at the light of God's Word. Among the various initiatives, we name a few...
Over one hundred lay faithful from the Parish of Gong Ming Lu, of the Diocese of Zheng Zhou, participated in the 7-day spiritual retreat held March 2-8, on the Word of God. For the faithful of the Catholic community in Hu Zhuang, in the District of Mount Ping Yin (site of the most important shrine dedicated to Saint Joseph), March is also the month dedicated to Saint Joseph, Patron of the Mission in China. Thus, during Lent they make a pilgrimage to the shrine. Led by the priests and laity from the Child Jesus Charity Foundation, over 100 faithful went on the pilgrimage on March 1, walking 30 kilometers and meditating on the Stations of the Cross and praying the Rosary.
Some 50 priests from the Province of Si Chuan went on the retreat led by Fr. Larry Lewis, Maryknoll missionary, held February 27 to March 5. They focused on the spiritual and moral assistance following the earthquake tragedy of May 12 of last year, as the epicenter was in this area. “Accepting man's limitations is the start to better understanding the Lord's Power. With this conviction, and the power of the Word of God, we face the challenge of evangelization and life.”
25 leaders of Ecclesial Base Communities of the Cathedral of Beijing, which is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, were invited to the Diocesan Seminary at the end of February, for a Lenten retreat “to purify their hearts in prayer,” before the Blessed Sacrament.
Over 300 faithful from the Parish of Xi Huan Tuo, of the Diocese of Tang Shan, in the Province of He Bei, took part in a 4-day Lenten retreat, “to be ready to return to the Father's House, following in the footsteps of Jesus.”
“God is Love” was the theme of the 4-day spiritual retreat of the parish of Fan Xian, in the Diocese of An Hui. Among the 100 faithful who participated, there was one elderly woman of 90 and 2 80 year-olds. At the close of the retreat, they laid their hands on the Bible to thank the Lord and declare their willingness to proclaim their faith. Eleven leaders from Ecclesial Base Communities from the Parish of Nan Guan of Xin Zhou, in the Province of Shan XI, participated in a 4-day spiritual retreat on “Let our hearts grow close to God,” at the beginning of Lent. Now they are organizing the retreat for the faithful in their own individual communities. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 12/03/2009)
