BEIJING (Fides): Prayers for a ceasefire between the militant Hamas group in Gaza and Israel, for the restoration of peace to the Holy Land were offered during a Mass concelebrated by Bishop Joseph Shen Bin of Shanghai, with some young diocesan priests on October 17.
The young priests, some recently ordained were attending an October 16 to 19 training course.
Meanwhile, parishes in the capital, Beijing, also answered calls for prayer and fasting for peace in the Holy Land, following the request of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Cardinal Pizzaballa.
At the parish of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception [Nantang], Eucharistic adoration began at eight in the morning, after the morning mass. By late afternoon, the pews were filled with young people, adults and elderly praying for peace at various times.
“They prayed for peace in the world, for peace in the Holy Land, for harmonious coexistence of all peoples and for the renunciation of prejudice,” the parish WeChat account said.
“Together with Pope Francis and the universal Church, we address our supplication, our cry for peace and our cry against war to the Lord.”
