Beijing – The conclusion of missionary month in October marks a new beginning for many Catholic communities in China in proclaiming the Gospel. During the last days of October, many Catholics participated together in initiatives and liturgical celebrations, as well as pastoral and charitable works in the spirit of mission: pilgrimages, gatherings, prayers, and missionary formation, such as those held in Changchun, Sichuan Province; charitable initiatives on the occasion of the Feast of the Elderly on October 29; exhibitions of sacred icons; and “missionary concerts” in the Diocese of Taiyuan.
In Fujian Province, in the “Rosary Village” built around the Shrine dedicated to Maria Rosa Mystica,” hundreds of parishioners from the Church of Qianku in the Diocese of Wenzhou began a missionary pilgrimage. The pilgrims started the day with the Stations of the Cross and the Rosary, accompanied by hymns that echoed from the mountainside across the valley.
In his homily during the Eucharist, Father Yang Yajie offered a comforting reminder that “God’s grace precedes and accompanies us through the various circumstances of life.” “The mission of Christians is to receive and cherish the gifts of grace,” Father Yang Yajie stated. The second leg of the parish pilgrimage took place at the Marian shrine of Xianshan, while the third leg led to the Diocese of Ningde. The Franciscan Bible Group of Wenzhou Cathedral celebrated its 30th anniversary during Missionary Month. During the celebration on October 23, the group members shared their joy and gratitude, recalling 30 years of shared journey at the service of spreading the Word of God. They encouraged one another to continue being humble instruments in the Lord’s hands in proclaiming the Gospel.
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