Ulan Bator (Fides Service) - The Catholic community in Mongolia has an extra reason for rejoicing this Easter as it welcomes 50 new members most of them aged between 15 and 25. “This sign of great vitality is an immense gift from God to all of us. Our mission continues and the Gospel is touching many young hearts who thirst for peace, justice, the freedom of the children of God”, Bishop Wenceslao Padilla, Apostolic Prefect of the prefecture of Ulan Bator, Mongolia told Fides. Catholics attend Easter services in the three parishes in Ulan Bator: the Cathedral dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul, the parish of Our Lady of the Assumption and the parish of the Good Shepherd.
Holy Week celebration started with crowded Palm Sunday masses and processions, attended also by many non Christians anxious to know more about the faith. “To portray better the message of the Gospel the community put on a Passion Play which was most successful”, Bishop Padilla told Fides.
Besides being deeply inspiring and moving for Catholics, Holy Week Services including the Last Supper Mass with the washing of the feet on Holy Thursday and the Adoration of the Cross on Good Friday will also be pedagogical with regard to the contents of the faith. For Easter night, the whole community is overjoyed at the thought of welcoming 50 new members from all three parishes to be received into the Church with the sacrament of Initiation, Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Communion during the Easter Vigil Mass on Easter Saturday. The catechumens, mostly aged between 15 and 25 and a few older adults, prepared with a two year course of catechesis. “Their instruction will continue after their baptism - Bishop Padilla told Fides - as they begin to take part in parish activities. The little Church in Mongolia is growing steadily. We are now 300. And we are all very happy and grateful to the Lord for all the blessings and graces he showers on this tiny flock”.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 23/3/2005 righe 25 parole 252)