BEIJING (Agenzia Fides): Covid-19 restrictions in China are still in force but have eased slightly as a result of the improvement in the health situation. The Catholic community throughout the country is experiencing a summer of intense spiritual life and pastoral commitments, appreciating the normalcy that, at least in part, has been recovered, as the doors of churches have finally reopened.
A great celebration was held for two ethnic Tibetan deacons who were ordained priests on July 18 at the parish dedicated to Our Lady in the Diocese of Zhaotong. One of them is from the Diocese of Dali in Yunnan province. Both will carry out their pastoral service among the populations of ethnic minority groups in the region.
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Bejing and several parishes celebrated, in communion with the universal Church, the Second World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly on July 24. Great respect and high regard for the elderly, like filial love for grandparents, is part of Chinese culture.
In addition to a Mass dedicated to them, the Archbishop Joseph Li Shan of Beijing, and parish priests also shared a moment of fraternity, celebrating with the elderly taking group photos and giving small, but useful, symbolic gifts to them.
The archdiocesan seminary celebrated the solemn Eucharist with the missionary mandate granted to seminarians who have completed their studies and will be sent to different parishes to carry out pastoral training. The executive rector urged everyone to observe the seminary’s motto: “Glorify the Lord, benefit the soul and serve the people” and invited them to “row out into the deep” to build the Church.
The cathedral and the church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, along with many other parishes, began registering students for the new catechism year which begins in August.
Among the activities for young people, the parish of Jiujiang, in the province of Jiangxi, held a training course for altar boys on July 17. Father Cao Xiaoxian explained the importance of their commitment as follows: “During the Holy Mass, besides the priest, you are the closest to God. So you must prepare not only the various objects that are needed, but above all your soul, your spiritual welcome.”
