Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Beijing (Agenzia Fides) – Great celebrations for Palm Sunday, which opened Holy Week, were held in Catholic communities across China. According to information released to Fides, the solemn procession with olive branches was widely attended by faithful.
In the parish of Dan Ga Da in the Diocese of Cang Zhou, He Bei Province, the solemn procession was also attended by many non-Christians, along with over a thousand faithful. All followed the procession that started from the Rosary Grotto and went to the Catholic kindergarten, to attend the blessing of the palms. They then listened attentively to the sermon of the priest who called for conversion, renunciation of entertainment during Holy Week, calling for sacrifice and generous sharing. Many non-Christians stayed after the ceremony and expressed their wish to learn more about Easter, the Passion of Christ and the Catholic faith, turning the celebration into an opportunity for evangelization.
Over 300 faithful recalled Jesus' entry into Jerusalem in the Cathedral of the Diocese of Zhou Cun, Shan Dong Province. According to some of them, "It is a powerful annual experience in which we see Jesus Christ's love for humanity." Many non-Christians asked to have their olive branch blessed, too.
In the parish of Qing Shang in the Diocese of Bao Tou, Inner Mongolia, more than 600 faithful attended the celebrations of Palm Sunday. In the Diocese of Nan Chong, the celebration began Saturday night, with perpetual adoration, which lasted all night. Many faithful attended, doing adoration turns during the night, to beg the Lord for the gift of conversion in light of the upcoming feast of Easter. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 30/03/2010)
