Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Xian Xian (Agenzia Fides) - As part of celebrations to mark the 150th anniversary of the diocese of Xian Xian (today Cang Zhou), He Bei province, the Catholic parish of Wu Qiao decided to start a St Francis Xavier Mission Association on the basis of a previously existing parish Evangelisation Group. According to the association chairman, another reason for launching the Association was the 500th anniversary of the birth of the great Spanish missionary proclaimed universal mission patron: “Missionary saints are the main focus of our celebrations for the 150th anniversary of the diocese, he said. We intend to imitate St Francis Xavier and his great missionary spirit. We will strive to live the Gospel and spread the Gospel by Christian witness of daily life.”
The fledging St Francis Xavier Mission Association already has 22 members, and its own missionary statute, logo and badge. During the launching ceremony the parish priest Rev. Sun Shou Qiang encouraged the initiative, urging more parishioners to join the Association.
Xian Xian diocese was formerly the Apostolic Vicariate of Tcheli-Sudest. Today there are 75,000 Catholics, 206 churches and chapels, about 100 priests and an average of 100 baptisms every year. Wu Qiao is a very lively parish with active participation of many lay men and women. (Agenzia Fides 29/08/2006 Righe: 25 Parole: 262)
