ZHOUZHI (Agenzia Fides): Three transitional deacons were ordained for the Diocese of Zhouzhi, Shaanxi province, China, on January 28, at an ordination Mass celebrated by Bishop Martin Wu Qinjing. Around 50 priest concelebrated the liturgy which was attended by the families of the deacons, seminarians, nuns and laypeople from surrounding dioceses.
Two of the new deacons are the only child in their families. All three entered the seminary after a time as working professionals. They received their baccalaureate at the diocesan seminary of the Diocese of Beijing in September 2022.
The three deacons thanked their families, the community and the Catholic Church in China for the many forms of support and comfort they received throughout their journey of formation and vocation and asked for continued prayers.
At present, 57 priests are active in the Diocese of Zhouzhi, which counts around 70,000 faithful.
In recent decades, 290 priests and seminarians and 208 sisters have emerged from the diocese to serve at other dioceses in the country.
The region is famed for the famous Nestorian stele, discovered in 1625, which attests to the arrival of the Christian proclamation in China by the missionary monks of the Church of the East [Nestorians] as early as 635AD.
