SHIJIAZHUANG (Fides): The conclusion of the Jubilee Year of Hope can be seen as a new beginning on the journey of faith. In this spirit, Catholic communities across mainland China held ceremonies to mark the closing of the Holy Doors, which occurred on various days according to the pastoral schedules of each diocese.
At a solemn ceremony held yesterday on the Feast of the Epiphany, the Jiangxi community gathered at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in the Diocese of Nanchang to participate in the Mass, presided over by Bishop John Baptist Li Siguang.
According to Bishop Li, the major jubilee celebrations have not only embraced the journey of faith so far, but have also strengthened the community’s faith and provided direction for the next steps in faith and the growth of charitable works.
The dioceses of Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Wenzhou also celebrated the conclusion of the Jubilee Year. In Xi’an, the end of the Jubilee Year coincided with the start of the Year of the Word, while the Tangshan community began the Year of Pastoral Care.
As Bishop Yang Yongqiang of Hangzhou emphasised, “the true pilgrimage is not measured by the length of the journey, but by keeping one’s heart steadfastly fixed on the Lord. Every pilgrim of hope today bears witness to Christ in the world, enabling us all to grow in prayer, evangelisation, charity, and communion.”
