Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bao Tou (Agenzia Fides) – It is an historic event that is considered the largest gathering in the last 60 years in the Catholic village of Xiao Ba La Gai, Diocese of Bao Tou, in Inner Mongolia, August 22, on the Feast of the Queenship of Mary, with an attendance of over 7,000 faithful. According to information sent to Agenzia Fides, the diocese inaugurated the Diocesan Center for Evangelization and Formation, a new building of 1,710 meters squared made up of a church, a convent for religious from the diocesan Congregation of the Servants of the Heart of Our Lady, conference rooms, a retreat center, center for Formation, and a dormitory that could house over 70 people. Another cause for joy was the perpetual profession of 5 sisters of the Servants of the Heart of Our Lady, during the Mass.
Over 4,500 faithful came from various dioceses, including Ji Nung, Hu He Hao Te, Chi Feng, Tang Shan, Jiang Su, and Ji Lin, to share this special moment and participate in the solemn blessing of the Center and the Mass presided by 82-year-old Bishop Liu Shi Gong of Ji Ning, with 28 concelebratin priests. There were 32 seminarians present and numerous religious. The women donned the traditional Mongolian dress and played the instruments typical of the area, giving it an even greater festive atmosphere. The entire day the village, decorated with banners with evangelizing phrases, played songs and sang religious hymns. In the evening, all the people – Catholics and non alike – were invited to a great festival dedicated to the theme of evangelization, concluded with a fireworks show. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 15/09/2009)
