ASIA/CHINA - “It is when I am weak that I am strong.” Pauline spirit at the heart of the Lenten Retreat and III Seminar of the Year of St. Paul, in the Diocese of Fu Zhou

Fu Zhou (Agenzia Fides) – “It is when I am weak that I am strong” was the theme for the Lenten Retreat that took place March 19-23, led by Fr. Larry Lewis, of the Maryknoll Missionaries, invited by the Diocese of Fu Zhou. There were 28 priests and 42 religious of the diocese who participated in the retreat at Rosary Village, along with the priests and religious of the Diocese of Min Bei. According to Fr. Lewis, who has long-time experience as a spiritual director, “only when one is capable of recognizing their own weakness and incapacity, can they mature and grow like Saint Paul.” “Spirituality implies trying to discover the Lord's Love for us. Expectation is the door to spirituality. And all prayer involves expectation.” After this “spiritual boost” in Pauline spirit, on March 24 there was a III Seminar on Saint Paul, as part of the celebrations taking place in the Diocese of Fu Zhou for the Year of Saint Paul. There were 110 participants, including priests and laity from the 5 parts of the diocese, who shared in this experience of evangelization in the spirit of St. Paul. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 27/3/2009)