ASIA/CHINA - “In Him we live and move and have our being,” theme for the Annual Priest's Retreat in the Archdiocese of Beijing in preparation for the Year of the Priest

Beijing (Agenzia Fides) – Some forty priests from the Archdiocese of Beijing participated in the 4-day retreat that was held May 19-22, promoted by the Archdiocese, for the opening of the Year of the Priest declared by the Holy Father Benedict XVI, thus experiencing communion with the Pope and the Universal Church. During the four days of intense “spiritual recharge” led by Fr. Francs De Ridder, CICM and Archbishop Joseph Li Shan of Beijing, the priests meditated on the passage from the Acts of the Apostles: “In Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28). Fr. De Ridder, with over 40 years' experience as a missionary in Singapore and Taiwan, and with a long experience in spiritual direction, led the priests to leave their lives completely in the Lord's hands and live a life immersed in prayer, to be faithful in celebrating the Holy Eucharist and in maintaining a personal and intimate relationship with the Lord. He also dedicated time to fraternal discussion, allowing participants to open their hearts and share experiences. Four priests over the age of 80 from Beijing participated in the retreat, taking notes, participating in the discussion with their younger fellow priests and the Archbishop, showing an example of humility and continual search for spiritual renewal in their vocation. Archbishop Joseph Li also followed the entire retreat from his seat in the first pew. He encouraged his priests to always defend the dignity of the priest with their words and actions and to take an active part in the diocese, on the path of authentic priestly life, as the Lord wants. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 3/6/2009)