ASIA/CHINA - Christ the King: Catholic communities celebrate the the liturgical solemnity with special initiatives

Monday, 27 November 2023 local churches catechumens catechism bible prayer

CHINA

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Shanghai (Agenzia Fides) - "The fulfillment of the Commandment of Love indicated by Christ and the exercise of this commandment in truth and concreteness is essential for salvation. And the most effective way to salvation is the recognition of the Kingship of Christ in Faith", said Bishop Joseph Shen Bin in his homily to the 83 catechumens who received the sacraments of Christian initiation in the Shanghai Cathedral yesterday, Sunday, November 26th, the liturgical solemnity of Christ the King (see photo). The new members were welcomed by the community with great joy and warmth. During the liturgical celebration, which was presided over by the Bishop of Shanghai, the approximately 2,000 believers present also renewed their baptismal promises. On the last Sunday of the church year, the Chinese Catholic communities experienced the Solemnity of Christ the King intensely and took part in special pastoral initiatives. In Beijing, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Father Zhang Xiaozhuo presented certificates and prizes after the Eucharistic celebration to parishioners who participated in the daily Bible reading, an initiative launched to mark the 300th anniversary of the church's founding. Rev. Zhang emphasized the importance of individual and communal reading of the Word of God and announced that the initiative will continue and the new annual Bible reading cycle will begin on Sunday, December 3, the feast of St. Francis Xavier and the first Sunday of Advent. In the Cathedral of the Diocese of Beijing, the catechumens of the 55th Catechism Course received a particularly beautiful copy of the Lord's Prayer from Father Pei Dong, head of the course. Father Pei expressed the wish that "everyone learns the Lord's Prayer, the prayer par excellence and the precious treasure of the Church, by heart." At the end of the liturgy, all catechumens recited the Lord's Prayer together and received the blessing of the priest and catechists. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides, 27/11/2023)