Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Cang Zhou (Agenzia Fides) - “The 150 years of our diocese are the fruit of the love of the Lord and the generous dedication and sacrifice of many Chinese and foreign missionaries from France, Spain, Italy and Austria …. They left their country and people to give their life and their love to our land. Here under the soil there are at least 100 foreign bishops, priests and religious who repose in peace for ever. How can we forget them on such an occasion ? How can we fail to follow their example in the faith and evangelise to lead others to Salvation?” With gratitude and remembering the missionaries Mgr. Yang Quan En, diocesan vicar of Xian Xian (Cang Zhou in Hebei province) presided a solemn Mass to commemorate all the saints of the diocese on the occasion of its 150th anniversary. The Mass was celebrated at the Cemetery Catholic Priests on 6 May the day of the anniversary.
Early in the morning the procession of pilgrims, seminarians, religious, the priests and the bishop escorted by a band and choirs moved up Bai Yun White Cloud mount to the Cemetery of Catholic priests. Bishop Li Lian Hui inaugurated the monument in white marble with the inscription “In memory of all pioneer missionaries” and lit the torch of evangelisation from the Easter Candle in front of more than 5,000 people who filled the mountain and the paths. The mass started at 9 concelebrated by 68 priests. In his homily Bishop Li said: “The Lord said he came to bring fire on the earth. Here where we stand are the graves of Chinese and missionary priests and two Bishops. Why are we here, because here is our treasure, our legacy! Of many we do not know the names. But we are all united in one name the name of Jesus. The diocese decided that the best way to celebrate the 150th anniversary was to inscribe their names on our heart with that of Jesus for always. Their names are the name of the diocese, their life is the life of our diocese, the missionary fire they lit is the fire of evangelisation. This life must continue, this missionary fire must burn and inflame hearts. We do not face the problem of different language and customs and traditions, there is no need to go far and so we have the duty to go on mission in prayer. We must let the whole world see this fire which illuminated the new beginning of our diocese that the light of Christ in the River Jordan may illuminate the Blue River and the Yellow River and China may be converted to the Lord and the faith may spread everywhere”.
After the Mass the procession accompanied the torch of evangelisation to the church with a specially written hymn and prayer. For the next five months the fire of the Gospel, Evangelisation and Hope will travel throughout the diocese to rekindle the missionary spirit.
Xian Xian diocese, former Tcheli-South West Apostolic Vicariate has 75,000 Catholics, 206 churches and chapels and almost 100 priests. The local Catholic community has sent dozens of priests and sisters to study abroad with the help of the universal Catholic community. Every year the diocese registers an average 100 baptisms, welcoming the new Christians as members of the family. (Agenzia Fides 31/05/2006 Righe: 45 Parole: 616)
