BEIJING (Agenzia Fides): The main themes of the annual spiritual retreats which took place in the various dioceses of mainland China during the month of July encompassed the journey towards holiness, the communion of the diocesan community [between priests, with the bishop and the faithful], the synodal journey, the witness of faith, the vocation and mission of evangelisation.
Living according to the Christian spirit, practicing holiness and bearing witness, was the invitation extended by Bishop Joseph Wu Qinjing of the Zhouzhi, Shaanxi province, to the priests of the Archdiocese of Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province.
Over five days, from July 25 to 29, Bishop Wu, taking the Apostle James as a model, especially his vocation and his own life, highlighted the meaning of being followers of Jesus.
He also illustrated the value of the testimony of faith and the nobility of the sacrifice of service. “Living the Christian spirit, practicing holiness and bearing witness” will be indispensable in promoting the communion of the diocese, the synodal journey, the rebirth of vocations and above all to welcome the abundant divine graces.
The theme for the retreat in the Diocese of Chengdu, in the province of Sichuan, which took place from July 11 to 13, was Vocation and mission that for the entire community of priests, seminarians and nuns in.
Under the guidance of Father Lu Zhijun, from the Diocese of Weinan Shaanxi province, participants meditated together on their relationship with the Lord, the vocation of Abraham, the evangelical episode of the Samaritan woman at the well, and the response to the Lord’s call of love, carrying out the mission with poverty, patience and a spirit of service.
In his talk, Bishop Joseph Tang Yuange encouraged all those present to promote the pastoral care and evangelisation of the diocese with a new spiritual impetus, resulting from these days of retreat and above all from the strong experience of communion.
