Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Fides Service) - Chinese Catholics united with the universal Church lived an Easter impregnated with profound spirituality according to tradition, with new initiative to help the newly baptised recall the most important event in their spiritual life. Hong Kong’s diocesan bulletin Kong Ko Bao said Easter celebrations in parishes were accompanied by a call to the newly baptised “to take the Lord to their home”. At the parish of The Risen Jesus, 17 catechumens were baptised and 8 were confirmed in the presence of 500 people. Bishop John Tong auxiliary of Hong Kong presided the Mass and told those present, Catholics new and old “the best gift we can give Christ at Easter is to imitate Him in our lives, because witness brings joy which spreads to others”. The Bishop encouraged the new Christians to read a passage of Holy Scripture every day.
Easter in Beijing was celebrated as usual with joy for many new members of the Christian family who received the sacraments of Christian initiation on Easter night. The liturgy lasted over 4 hours at the four main parishes in Beijing with about ten baptisms in each church. On Easter day new Catholics went to the suburbs to plant a ‘tree of faith’. One Catholic explained: this was a “symbolic gesture to stand in memory of the most important and beautiful day of life, a sign of life rooted in faith, a sign that faith should grow like a tree and needs to be watered and cared for, nourished with the Word of God and works of charity.” One newly baptised woman said: “Baptism made me a member of the Christian family, Confirmation brought me closer to the Lord, Communion nourished me spiritually keeping a close bond with Jesus. I will come back to care for the tree of faith and so will never forget I am a Christian”. (Agenzia Fides 20/04/2006 Righe: 34 Parole: 364)
