Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Beijing (Fides Service) - Catholics in China dedicate the whole of the month of March to Saint Joseph and flock in their thousands to St Joseph’s Mount Pin Yin Shrine to venerate the spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. On St Joseph’s day March 19th hundreds climb and pray the Stations of the Cross to the summit of the mount. “Every year the numbers increase, we see new faces, ever more generous offerings” the local clergy says. The Shrine’s Bell, donated by a Catholic man in Tian Jin calls people to venerate the Saint. On the way up the St Joseph’s Mount pilgrims stop to rest at a village of about 100 Catholic families who welcome the faithful from all over China, Asia and other countries.
In this season of Lent besides special Masses on March 19th the local churches organise meetings, for young people especially, to reflect on the figure of Saint Joseph in connection with the Season of Lent. On 19 March, in Holy Saviour parish in Bei Tan 18 women religious of a diocesan Congregation of the Sisters of St Joseph in the parish will make their perpetual vows at the Mother House in the presence of the novices.
Chinese Catholics are deeply devoted to Saint Joseph, the spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and foster father to the Child Jesus, also patron saint of Missions in China, venerating him for his humility, honesty, diligence and obedience. “His life of silence and service makes him very close to us - says a priest in Beijing -. Saint Joseph is also the saint of a good death so important for Chinese Catholics. You can see how Saint Joseph is loved and venerated here in China by the number of churches and chapels, schools, seminaries, and old people’s homes etc. named after him”. (NZ)(Agenzia Fides 17/03/2007 Righe: 36 Parole: 405)
