Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kaohsiung (Agenzia Fides) - “Always continue the journey of the 150 years of Evangelization of Wanchin” is the theme of the celebration of the 150 year anniversary of the foundation and commitment to evangelization by the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in the Diocese of Kaohsiung (also known as the “Wanchin Basilica”). According to information gathered by Fides, the solemn opening of the celebrations for the 150th anniversary of the foundation, which is next year, was held on 27 November, with the solemn blessing of the 10 kilogram Cross, presided over by Archbishop Peter Liu of Kaohsiung, and the 36.3 km pilgrimage on foot, carrying the Cross, to relive the difficult path of evangelization by the first missionaries, especially by Fr Fernando Sainz, the Spanish Dominican missionary, who was one of the pioneers of the second evangelization of the island of Taiwan. Over 500 faithful, including priests and men and women religious took part in the pilgrimage, but only fifty of them were able to make the entire journey. Despite this, its meaning is very important, as Bishop Peter Liu said, “because it symbolizes the continuation of our mission of evangelization.”
In 1861 Fr Fernando Sainz evangelized the Diocese of Kaohsiung on foot, where the first Spanish Dominicans had landed. In 1863 the first church was built with mud and 83 believers were baptized. On 8 December, 1870 the church dedicated to the Immaculate Conception was inaugurated. Pope John Paul II awarded it the title of Minor Basilica on 20 July, 1984. It is also the second biggest Chinese basilica after the basilica of Our Lady of Sheshan in the Diocese of Shang Hai, where there is Asia's largest Marian shrine dedicated to Our Lady Help of Christians. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 16/12/2010)
