EUROPE/ITALY - May 24: Day of Prayer for the Church in China celebrated in various Chinese Catholic communities throughout Italy

Rome (Agenzia Fides) – The "World Day of Prayer for the Church in China" was instituted by Pope Benedict XVI in his Letter to Chinese Catholics on May 27, 2007, Solemnity of Pentecost, with these words: "Dear Pastors and all the faithful, the date 24 May could in the future become an occasion for the Catholics of the whole world to be united in prayer with the Church which is in China. This day is dedicated to the liturgical memorial of Our Lady, Help of Christians, who is venerated with great devotion at the Marian Shrine of Sheshan in Shanghai.” In Italy, the main celebration of the first Day of Prayer was held May 24, 2008, in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, presided by Cardinal Ivan Dias, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. Last year, 2009, the Chinese Catholic community in Italy celebrated the Day in Naples, with a celebration presided by the Archbishop, Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe. This year, all the Chinese Catholic communities came together in the Diocese of Macerata on May 8 and 9 to commemorate the 4th centenary of the death of Jesuit missionary Father Matteo Ricci and to pray for the Church in China. According to a press release from the Chinese Catholic Community in Rome and from the Migrants Office of the Italian Bishops' Conference, the Day of Prayer on May 24 will be held in every Chinese community in their own diocese. For the Diocese of Rome, there will be a celebration on Sunday, May 23 at 3:30 in the church of the Chinese Catholic community of San Bernardino of Siena (via Panisperna 256). (SL) (Agenzia Fides 19/05/2010)