Beijing – “Retreat to the desert to encounter the Lord” was the theme of the annual spiritual retreat for the clergy and religious of the Diocese of Xi’an, held from 16 to 21 August at the Yuantou Formation Centre in Lintong.
The spiritual retreat was led by Fr John Baptist Zhang, founder of Xinde, a Chinese Catholic charitable and communications organization. It offered priests and Church personnel an opportunity to set aside their daily pastoral activities temporarily and devote themselves more fully to their spiritual lives.
In silence and prayer, participants were guided to reflect on their personal relationship with God, to experience His presence, listen to His voice and deepen their communion with Him. They also reflected on their journey of renewed “conversion” and on the call to renew the promises they made at their priestly ordination before the Bishop and the ecclesial community. Bishop Antonio Dang Mingyan took part in the retreat.
Particularly moving was the day of fasting and prayer on Friday, 21 August. With the exception of several confrères who were ill, virtually all the priests and religious taking part in the retreat unanimously joined Bishop Antonio Dang’s initiative for a special intention. Through renunciation, fasting and fervent intercessory prayer, especially for Bishop Paul, they expressed their fraternity and communion in the Lord, offering a witness of faith as members of the same Body in Christ. Priests, who are often deeply immersed in their own ministries and pastoral activities, also rediscovered that they are not alone: fraternity in Christ is always with them.
In Zhejiang Province, meanwhile, the Diocese of Taizhou organized its annual spiritual retreat for priests, aimed at deepening their spirituality and strengthening their awareness of their vocation. From 26 to 31 July, over six days, Fr Fang Buke of the Sheshan Seminary in Shanghai shared reflections on the theme “Knowing the true Jesus Christ more deeply”. On the final day, he presented the encyclical Magnifica humanitas, recently promulgated by Pope Leo XIV.
Priests were not the only ones to spend time away from their ordinary activities. During August, many religious sisters also took part in periods of spiritual renewal. The Congregation of the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Mary in the Diocese of Baotou organized a three-day formation program on human and spiritual maturity from 21 to 23 August, returning to the sources that nourish their faith.
After a three-day retreat on the theme of vocation, held from 19 to 22 August, the Congregation of the Presentation of Mary in Anhui Province took part in the renewal of their sisters’ religious vows. They were able to gather their thoughts, purify their hearts, and rediscover God’s call.
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