Shijiazhuang – Vocations usually spring from the fertile ground of faith, hope, and charity that the families of priests and religious sisters represent. With the Chinese New Year approaching on Tuesday, February 17, the various Catholic parishes in mainland China have begun the traditional initiatives linked to this event, such as the customary visits to the families of religious sisters and priests. These visits, often accompanied by diocesan bishops, express the care for the treasure that Catholic families represent. Often, the parents or family members of the young men and women who feel a vocation to the priesthood or religious life are also very active members of their parish communities. The visits also provide an opportunity for mutual edification and support on the path of faith.
According to the church news portal xinde.org, three groups from the Archdiocese of Taiyuan, the capital of Changzhi Province, extended greetings to the parents of priests and nuns, expressing concern for their health and that of their children consecrated to the Lord. The visits also provided an opportunity to reflect on how the families nurtured and supported their sons and daughters’ early vocations. Paul Meng Ningyou, Bishop of Taiyuan, encouraged the parents to continue providing their children with support and spiritual guidance so they can serve the Church in the diocese and assured them that the Church would continue to care for their families.
The group, led by Father Meng Tongbao, also visited the parents of Sister Yan Youmin, who passed away seven years ago. The church community wanted to offer the parents comfort and show them that they cherish the memory of their daughter with gratitude and care for her entire family.
In the Diocese of Changzhi, Bishop Peter Ding Lingbin, along with the chancellor and the nuns, delivered New Year’s greetings to the 78 families of young people who have entered the priesthood in recent years and are represented in all 30 parishes. In Fujian Province, Bishop Joseph Cai Bingrui of Fuzhou sent greetings and gifts to dozens of priests and nuns of the Diocese of Xiamen, the diocese currently vacant, where he was bishop.
Bishop Peter Liu Genzhu of Linfen wanted to personally visit priests and nuns who are on the front lines of proclaiming the Gospel, to hear about their difficulties and urgent concerns, and to exchange views with them based on the teachings of Pope Leo XIV on the priesthood and consecrated life. The bishop reminded the religious orders of the sisters that “the diocese and the religious orders are inextricably linked and work together for the Kingdom of God.” Even in many other places, such as Tangshan and Jiangxi, ecclesial communities have carried out and are continuing the traditional Chinese New Year visits to the families of priests and religious.
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