Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Beijing (Fides Service) - On November 2 in communion with the universal Church Catholics in China too prayed for the souls of the faithful departed. Over 4,000 Catholics from all over the city gathered at Beijing’s Catholic cemetery for solemn mass, to reflect on the mystery of death and confirm their faith in the resurrection.
There were two Masses for the Dead, one in the morning and one in the afternoon to give everyone a chance to attend Mass, pray for the dead and visit the graves of their loved ones. Before 8am people began to gather at the suburban cemetery arriving by bus and car from parishes and communities. On the way to cemetery church most stopped to say a prayer in front of a much loved statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary almost covered with flowers. The priests who celebrated the Masses reflected on the meaning of life and death from the Christian perspective and the fundamental importance of prayer. Reminding the people that life is a pilgrimage back to the House of the Father they encouraged them to live it as such. (Agenzia Fides 08/11/2005 Righe: 21 Parole: 228)
