Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Wen Zhou (Agenzia Fides) - “The faith has brought me peace and happiness. The Church is like a united family. We all love each other. I am delighted to be able to be a member of this family." This was one of the reflections, expressed in sign language, by one of the newly baptized deaf persons during a moment of exchange at the Catechism Course for the deaf and dumb in the Diocese of Wen Zhou. According to information received by Fides, the newly baptized about 150 people including newly baptized, deaf persons preparing for baptism, priests, religious, catechists, and two teachers of sign language to communicate with the deaf, attended the meeting which was held in the diocesan cathedral on October 3. Since 2007, the Diocese of Wen Zhou has begun to promote catechesis and evangelization activities for the deaf, to bring God's love to everyone. To date, 40 deaf persons regularly participate in the catechism classes, 23 have been baptized, and 7 of them have shared their experience during the meeting on October 3. The participants included 16 deaf people who signed up immediately for the new catechism course.
The Diocese of Wen Zhou is a very active community in pastoral care and evangelization, as evidenced by the nuns of the diocesan congregation of St. Therese, who continue to grow in number and missionary commitment. 3 sisters of the congregation made their perpetual vows on the feast of their patroness, St. Therese of Lisieux, Patroness of the Missions, and 26 renewed their vows in front of over 800 faithful. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 11/10/2010)
