Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Beijing (Agenzia Fides) - The Chinese Catholic communities celebrated the Solemnity of Pentecost in communion with the universal Church, invoking the descent of the Holy Spirit for world peace, for the Church, for priests from all over the world and in particular for China. Pope Benedict XVI`s prayer was recited to Our Lady of She Shan written for the Day of Prayer for the Church in China, and in different places the sacraments of Christian initiation was administered to the catechumens.
According to Faith in He Bei, Fides learns that the solemn celebration of the Pentecost at the Cathedral of the Diocese of Ji Nan, the capital province of Shan Dong, was presided by the Bishop Ordinary, His Exc. Mgr. Zhang Xian Wang, who administered the sacraments of Christian initiation (baptism, confirmation, Eucharist) to 12 adult catechumens. The faithful joyfully welcomed the new members of the community, asking in particular that the wind of the Holy Spirit descends abundantly upon them and on the diocese, for a season of evangelization. 16 other catechumens received the sacraments of Christian initiation and were greeted by over 500 faithful in the parish of Pi Zhou in the diocese of Xu Zhou, Jiang Su province. Some of them confided: "This revival makes us always remember that we are children of God and we must be worthy of our commitment and our witness of life".
After listening to the Word of God, the faithful of the diocese of Tian Shui, the west-central Chinese province of Gan Su, prayed for world peace, for the Church, for all priests, and in particular those of China. They recited the prayer of the Pope to Our Lady of She Shan.
The Cathedral of the Diocese of Jing Xian (today Heng Shui) in the province of He Bei solemnly celebrated Pentecost with the presence of many non-Christians. According to some priests and faithful, "we invoke the Holy Spirit even on them, so they may get to know Jesus as soon as possible". (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 06/13/2011)
