Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Hang Zhou (Agenzia Fides) – The Parish of St. Therese of the Child Jesus in the Diocese of Hang Zhou was opened in the Month for the Missions with a celebration of the feast of its Patroness, also Patroness of the Missions. It was also mentioned that it is the 80th anniversary of the foundation of the parish. According to a report sent to Agenzia Fides, over 300 faithful attended the Mass concelebrated by 7 priests. During the homily, Fr. Wu Jian Xin told the story of St. Therese, encouraging everyone to follow her example in the mission of evangelizing China today, especially as they prepare to celebrate World Mission Sunday. “Imitating her, in cooperation with God's grace, we should be good children of the Lord.”
There are many parishes, groups, charitable organizations, missionaries, spirituality centers, and Chinese religious congregations dedicated to the saint, that invoke her intercession. In fact, Chinese Catholics have a special relationship with the Patroness of the Missions, especially for the special attention and love for the Chinese that the Saint showed during her short life here on earth. One of her letters to Fr. Adolphe Roulland, a missionary of the Paris Foreign Missions Society, was placed in the missionary's tomb in China, where he is buried in the cemetery of the parish of Shi Ma in the district of Da Shi, Diocese of Chong Qing. This is a pilgrimage site for Chinese people, and not only on the Saint's feast day. The Catholic youth of China gather for spiritual retreats her, as well, for a missionary “boost.” Today, thanks to Msgr. Raymond Zambelli, Rector of the Shrine of Lisieux, there is also a relic of the daint. During the world pilgrimage of the relics of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus, the Dioceses of Zhou, Jiang, Fen Yang, Da Tong, Yan An, Hu He Hao Te, and Wu Men were able to venerate the relics. The parish of Yang Jia Pu, in the Diocese of Tai Yuan (where 78 Chinese martyrs are buried), after the pilgrimage of the Saint's relics, constructed 3 giant statues of white marble dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus (1.9 meters in height), the Immaculate Conception, and Saint Therese of the Child Jesus (1.7 meters each). (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 8/10/2009)
