Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Shang Hai (Agenzia Fides) - “Mane Nobiscum Domine (Lk 24,29)” was the theme of a week long retreat for about 100 university Catholic and non Catholic students from every parish of Shanghai diocese. Six priests and three nuns led the young people in ten different groups to experience a week of faith-sharing, friendship-building, solidarity and evangelisation with morning and evening prayers, daily Mass adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Holy Rosary and the Stations of the Cross, Taize Community prayer, Bible reading and discussion. Each evening one of the students reported on the day’s activity. During the week the young people visited local families and performed a play at a nearby Home for the Elderly. The priests invited the parents to share their views and a psychologist analysed the relationship between faith and university life. A major event in the week was the baptism of three companions. To help young people understand this initiative the organisers issued T-shirts with the image of the Risen Christ who asks humanity to welcome the Holy Spirit.
The organising priest confirms “Mane Nobiscum Domine was chosen in order to sow seeds of love and faith in the hearts of the young people so they will experience a longing for God. After the meeting they told me they felt morally stronger and ready to declare themselves Christian in society and at the university. They found peace and comfort in the Word of God, in adoration, learning to build a close relationship with the Lord and asking Him to remain with us always”. (Agenzia Fides 03/10/2006 Righe: 27 Parole: 301)
