Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Beijing (Agenzia Fides) - “With the Lord's help, which we receive in intense daily prayer, we ardently defend our vocations and respond with our entire life.” These were the words of Bishop Fang Xing Yao of the Diocese of Lin Yi, in the Province of Shan Dong, as he addressed religious sisters from the diocesan Congregation of Missionaries of Divine Love, who took their first vows. Two candidates officially entered the congregation as well, as postulants, during the May 24th feasts of the Lord's Ascension and the World Day of Prayer for the Church in China.
At the end of this Month of Mary, which is intensely lived in China and thus takes on great importance, Agenzia Fides has learned that various Chinese women's congregations chose this time for taking perpetual or temporal vows, or for the entrance of new members. In Shan Dong, in the Chinese Catholic stronghold of He Bei, there were several professions of perpetual vows.
Eight religious from the Missionaries of the Mother of God, Protectress of the Missions, from the Diocese of Jing Xian, took perpetual vows on May 30, vigil of the Solemnity of Pentecost, in the presence of Bishop Feng Xin Mao, Ordinary of the Diocese, and another 4 sisters who renewed their temporal vows. The seminarians from the Diocesan Seminary, the other sisters of the community, friends, and relatives took part in the solemn rite that was concelebrated by a total of 44 priests.
Four sisters from the Congregation of the Mother of God of Da Ming, from the Diocese of Han Dan, took perpetual vows on May 25 at Our Lady of Grace Parish, in front of over 500 faithful. Seven postulants officially entered as novices and 15 religious sisters renewed their temporal vows.
Another congregation from the Diocese of Han Dan, the Missionaries of the Holy Spirit, had 21 sisters who took perpetual vows in the Mass on May 30, Vigil of Pentecost. The sisters were well-prepared spiritually, having had a week-long retreat beforehand and a period of intense experience of living in the community. They also thanked all those who had accompanied them and supported them in their vocation in every way and continue doing so.
These female congregations are also the most active in the life of the Church on the Continent. In addition to the pastoral work of evangelization, service in the health, education, and social field, they are always at the forefront, bearing witness to the Love of God in any emergency or difficult condition, for example in the case of the earthquake, flooding, the fight against AIDS, and aid to lepers. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 5/6/2009)
