Agenzia Fides

Wen Zhou (Agenzia Fides) – Witnesses of faith, a spiritual retreat, visiting confessors are just some of many initiatives undertaken by the Catholic Wen Zhou diocese, in the Zhe Jiang province of mainland China, to help the faithful live a fruitful Lenten season in the present Year of the Faith. According to the diocesan Web Site, on 13 and 14 February the Cathedral hosted a two-day Lenten retreat, on the theme “Consolidating the faith and proclaiming the Gospel”. During the days of retreat, besides reflecting together on the faith, local Catholic laity, priests and religious, recited the Rosary, made the Stations of the Cross and celebrated Holy Mass, as well as sharing testimonies of faith in this Year of the Faith. In response to indications given by Pope Benedict XVI, the diocese launched an unusual initiative: Visiting Confessors. On February 15, a team of 11 priests visited Le Qing and heard about 2,000 confession. This initiative led many lapsed Catholics return to a life of faith. The diocese is organising another Visiting Confessors mission towards the end of the month of February to be held in a parish, still to be identified.
(NZ) (Agenzia Fides 2013/02