Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Agenzia Fides) - Chinese Catholics everywhere in the world celebrated Christmas with deep devotion in a spirit of mission and charity. According to Fides sources Catholics in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan and overseas communities celebrated Christmas sharing the seaon’s joy with those around them.
There was a lively Christmas spirit in Beijing, perhaps rather commercial with Christmas Trees, lights and decorations: shops open all night on the 24th December and Christmas Parties in various premises … at Catholic parishes all the neighbourhood was welcomed to take part, university students especially with a great thirst for the spiritual life. Catholics prepared for Christmas with special prayers and parishes also provided information on evangelisation and pastoral care for non Christians.
Churches were overflowing for midnight Mass and many people, especially the elderly, spent the night in church to make sure they had a seat for morning Mass on Christmas Day. To guarantee Mass for the many foreign Catholics in Beijing Immaculate Conception parish arranged Masses in English at various times. In Beijing Catholics from He Bei province organised a Christmas Charity evening. In the diocese of Tai Yuan, Shan Xi province, clergy, religious and lay Catholics gathered around the Bishop to celebrate a ‘family’ Christmas. In Hong Jia Lou parish, diocese of Ji Nan, catechists were on duty to welcome the faithful and non Christian visitors. In Nan Guan parish, diocese of Bao Ji, Shaan Xi province, women religious took it in turns to welcome non Christians and explain the meaning of Christmas. Over 5,000 people took part in a procession with the Infant Jesus which lasted 2 hours and drew much public attention. A group of 11 catechumens received the Sacraments of Christian Initiation at Christmas.
In the diocese of Hong Kong over 2,500 people watched a Christmas play. On the occasion of Christmas visits to prisoners, a Christmas party for young people and a Peace March on January 1 were organised by various parish groups. In the archdiocese of Tai Pei Christmas was celebrated with solemn Masses and a Christmas Play produced by the local university students. Overseas Chinese Catholics everywhere, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Madagascar, celebrated Christmas with the local communities in an atmosphere of friendship, solidarity and deep devotion. (NZ)(Agenzia Fides 08/01/2007 Righe: 50 Parole: 586)
