Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Ji Nan (Fides Service) - Over 500 Catholics attended a solemn Mass to mark the 100th anniversary of the Immaculate Conception Parish in the village of Don Xiao Yang Zhuan, archdiocese of Ji Nan. The Mass was concelebrated by 26 priests. In his homily the parish priest gave a brief outline of the 100 years of history lived with great perseverance by the parishioners who managed to keep the authentic faith. A procession with the Blessed Sacrament after Mass accompanied by the parish band and choir attracted the attention of passers by and was an opportunity for evangelisation.
Ji Nan Catholic mission was founded by Franciscan missionaries in 1839. It was made an archdiocese in 1946, and in 1951 had 91 priests including 57 foreigners, 2,000 parishes (48 with a resident priest), one regional major seminary and one minor seminary. The archdiocese also ran hospitals, schools, homes for the elderly and an orphanage and had its own printing press. After the cultural revolution according to “Guide to the Catholic Church in China” 2000 edition there were 11 dioceses under the jurisdiction of Ji Nan archdiocese which had 27 priests, 100 women religious, 38,000 Catholics, 58 churches, 3 communities of women religious and a seminary. (Agenzia Fides 16/12/2005 Righe: 18 Parole: 211)
