Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Agenzia Fides) – According to information sent to Agenzia Fides, Chinese Catholics lived Easter in a sign of communion with the Holy Father and the Universal Church, joyfully witnessing the fruits of evangelization. In fact, many parishes celebrated Easter with the administration of the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist. We offer several initial statistics on the Sacraments of Christian Initiation administered (a total of 844) and the participation in the celebrations of the Paschal Triduum.
In the province of Zhe Jiang, 189 catechumens of the parish of Long Gang, of the Diocese of Wen Zhou, were baptized and 157 received Confirmation. Over 5,000 faithful participated in the ritual on Holy Thursday, 3,000 on both Good Friday and Holy Saturday. On Easter Sunday, there were over 7,000 Easter eggs distributed.
In the Province of Shan Xi, the parish of Xiang Yang, in the district of Yuan Ping, the parish of Yang Jia Pu, the parish of Nan She, and the parish of Liu He of the Diocese of Tai Yuan celebrated the baptism of 149 faithful; 91 catechumens of the parish of Zhao Cheng of the Diocese of Lin Fen were baptized.
In the province of Shan Dong, 4 faithful of the parish of Chen Jia Lou of the Diocese of Ji Nan received the Sacraments of Christian Initiation and 5 catechumens of the parish of Zi Chuan of the Diocese of Zhou Cun were baptized.
In the Province of He Bei, the parish of Wu Qiang of the Diocese of Heng Shui baptized 8 catechumens. The Cathedral baptized 36 catechumens. 280 catechumens from various Ecclesial Base Communities were received into the Church at the parish of Wu An, marking a record in comparison with recent years.
In the Province of He Nan, 18 catechumens were baptized at the parish of Gong Ming Lu, of the Diocese of Zheng Zhou. The 89 year-old parish priest, Fr. Zhang Jin Kui, even knelt down as he washed the feet of 12 of the faithful in the Holy Thursday Mass.
In the Province of Shaani Xi, 13 catechumens were baptized in the parish of Nan Guan, in the city of Bao Ji. Bishop Li Jing Feng of the Diocese of Feng Xiang ordained 5 priests in the Easter celebration, in the presence of over 2,000 faithful and 20 religious sisters. The Mass was concelebrated by 17 priests. In the parish of Xing Ping, 15 adults were baptized. A construction company with 90% of its workers being Catholic immigrants, had 3 days of vacations to allow workers the chance to participate in the Paschal Triduum celebrations.
In the Province of Gan Su, 5 catechumens of the parish of Wu Wei were baptized in the presence of over 1,000 faithful. The parish of Wei Nan, in the Diocese of Tian Shui, had 30 catechuments baptized. In the province of Hu Nan, 17 catechumens of the parish of Li Xian in the Diocese of Li Shou were baptized.
In the Province of Si Chuan, 72 catechumens of the parish of Nan Chong received baptism. The Church also welcomed many faithful from the earthquake zone and the rural areas, where there are no priests in residence.
In the Province of Jiang Xi, 3 catechumens of the parish of Shi Cheng were baptized. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 15/4/2009)
