Agenzia Fides

Chia Yi (Agenzia Fides) – To confirm the continuity of evangelization, pastoral commitment, service to the most vulnerable, according to the Dominican spirit: these are the reasons that characterized the celebration for the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Dominican Congregation, whose mother house today is today in the diocese of Chia Yi, in Taiwan. According to information sent to Fides Agency, His Exc. Mgr. Peter Liu, Archbishop of Kaohsiung, presided at the solemn Mass of thanksgiving on November 4, replacing the Bishop of Chia Yi, who was absent due to illness. The Superior General, Sister Fatima Lee, recalled the history of the congregation, its foundation in the diocese of Fu Ning in mainland China, the move to Taiwan, vocational development, commitment to evangelization, for the pastoral and social service...and also confirmed, on behalf of all the sisters, the continuity in their missionary commitment.
In 1932 His Exc. Mgr. Theodore Labrador Fraile (1888-1980), a Spanish Dominican (OP), then Apostolic Vicar of Fu Ning and future Archbishop of Fu Zhou, founded the Chinese Dominican Congregation so it would assume the commitment to evangelize, healing the orphans and giving assistance to hospital. The new community was to draw its strength from the Eucharist and an intense Dominican spiritual life. Today the congregation is made up of 160 women religious, the majority of whom are in Mainland China and in communities of t the Chinese Diaspora, especially in Toronto, Canada and Los Angeles, United States of America. In Taiwan there are 40 nuns. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 07/112012)