Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Beijing (Agenzia Fides) – According to reports sent to Agenzia Fides, various Catholic communities on mainland China are celebrating the beginning of the Year for Priests, in communion with the Holy Father and the Universal Church, giving it the character of a more intense spiritual life, permanent formation, and several priestly ordinations, without losing the “Pauline Spirit” that marked the Jubilee Year dedicated to Saint Paul, which recently came to a close.
Intense prayer and frequent reading of the Holy Bible were the counsels of Bishop Joseph Li Shan of Beijing, to the nearly 40 concelebrants and all the diocesan priests present at the opening of the Year for Priests, which took place on July 11. This was Bishop Li's exhortation to the priests: “we should make our spiritual life more profound so we can later communicate this to the faithful and evangelize and bring home the lost sheep.”
In the parish of Lin He, in Inner Mongolia, at the beginning of the Year for Priests, the priests reminded the faithful that they should also live out their priestly calling. During the homily for the commemoration of the Chinese martyrs (July 9), the parish pastor said: “following the indications of the Pope, we pray for all priests, that they may always have a pure heart, as the Lord desires, to overcome the temptations of the world, to lead a holy life, and to be faithful servants of the Lord.”
The priest of the parish of Cheng An of the Diocese of Han Dan, encouraged his brother priests to “go out from the church, out from their own living space” during this Year for Priests, because “there are so many people that need us so they can learn of Christ.” The Cathedral of the Diocese of Feng Xiang launched a call to everyone, asking that they pray especially this year for all the priests throughout the world.
The Diocese of Zhou Zhi in the Province of Shaan Xi, began the Year for Priests by welcoming 6 new priests. Over 3,000 faithful attended the ordinations that took place on July 4, presided by Bishop Dang Ming Yan of Xi An, concelebrated by some 80 priests. During the ceremony, the Bishop asked all those present to pray especially for vocations. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 16/7/2009)
