Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Han Dan (Agenzia Fides) – The closing of the Year of St Paul in the diocese of Han Dan was at the same time a call to take an active part in the Year of the Priesthood, following the indications of the Holy Father Benedict XVI, to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the “dies natalis” of St Jean Marie Vianney. More than a thousand faithful, a hundred women religious and seventy novices of different congregations of women religious, as well as students from the diocesan seminary, took part in a solemn Mass to close the Year of St Paul and open the Year of the Priesthood, on 19 June in the cathedral. The Mass was presided by Bishop Yang Xiang Tai and concelebrated by about fifty priests.
At the end of the Mass, diocesan chancellor Rev Xi Jian Ke and several parish priests assessed celebrations for the Year of St Paul. According to the chancellor, who reported that more than 6,000 catechumens were baptised during the year, “the closing is simply a new beginning for greater missionary commitment in the spirit of St Paul”.
During the solemn Mass on 19 June, 3 new diocesan deacons were ordained, there was the reading of the Bishop's Pastoral Letter on the year of the Priesthood and the decree regarding indulgences. The priest who gave the homily said: “we have focused on 4 themes in this solemn celebration: the closing of the Year of St Paul and the opening of the Year of the Priesthood, the month of the Sacred Heart and the ordination of 3 deacons. We pray for priests all over the world. But since the laity also have a priestly vocation they too must listen to the indications of the Holy Father. Together let us pray that priests may be sanctified and remain faithful to their ministry like Paul ”.
Han Dan includes 19 civil districts and is situated in the south of He Bei province. It has a population of about 8.3 million and a Catholic community of 130,000. The first evangelisation of the diocese dates back to Jesuit Fr. Matteo Ricci in the 16th century. Today the diocese has 100 churches and chapels, 58 priests, 40 seminarians, e 200 women religious belonging to two diocesan congregations. The diocese runs dispensaries, medical centres and social care centres. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 26/06/2009 - righe 29, parole 364)
