Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Beijing (Agenzia Fides) – The Cathedral of the Diocese of Tian Jin celebrated with great joy and intense participation the Baptism, Confirmation, and First Communion of 206 catechumens on June 5, Vespers of the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, allowing this large group of people to celebrate the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ as Catholics. According to information received by Fides, many Chinese Catholic communities have solemnly celebrated the Feast of Corpus Christi, in communion with the Universal Church, both on the date of Thursday, June 3 and on the following Sunday, June 6, according to local needs.
The parish of Fu Shun in the Diocese of Liao Ning celebrated the solemnity on June 3, with the consecration of new church dedicated to the Body and Blood of Christ. Bishop Paul Pei Jun Min, diocesan bishop, presided at the Consecration Mass, which was concelebrated by about sixty priests. There were female diocesan congregations present as well, along with more than 3,000 faithful. The following Sunday, June 6, Bishop Paul Pei presided at other celebrations of Corpus Christi in the diocese which included processions and Eucharistic Adoration.
The parish of Cao Zhuang in the Diocese of Han Dan opened the celebration of the feast with a procession that ended with Benediction with the Blessed Sacrament. As a community mainly composed of members of the working class, the parish responded to their needs by moving the celebration to Sunday. Along the route of the procession, the faithful heard the reading of Bible passages and the commentaries of the priests. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 07/06/2010)
