Chinese Catholic Communities mark Lent with Faith, Charity, and Prayer for Pope Francis.
Newsroom (10/03/25 11:09, Gaudium Press) As Lent starts, Chinese Catholic communities have demonstrated their vibrant faith and unity through a variety of liturgical, pastoral, and charitable initiatives. From pilgrimages and Lenten catechism courses to social work such as free medical visits offered by volunteer health workers, the first days of Lent have highlighted the deep spiritual commitment of these communities. This year, their prayers have also been united in invoking healing for Pope Francis, who has been hospitalized at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital for over three weeks.
On Sunday, March 9, the Cathedral of Beijing was the site of a solemn Eucharistic celebration during which 29 extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist received their “missionary mandate.” These ministers, who join a group formed in 2023, play a crucial role in addressing pastoral and social challenges, particularly the needs of an aging population. Their mission includes bringing the Eucharist to homebound individuals who are unable to attend Mass.
The same day, hundreds of parishioners in Beijing embarked on a unique pilgrimage, visiting three historic churches over five hours. The journey began at the Church of the Miraculous Medal, where pilgrims learned about the Italian Vincentian Father Teodorico Pedrini, the missionary and musician who founded the church, and at the church they participated in the Stations of the Cross.
The pilgrimage then continued to the Church of the Immaculate Conception, established by the renowned Jesuit missionary Matteo Ricci. There, pilgrims reflected on the church’s 420-year history, prayed before statues of Father Ricci and Saint Francis Xavier, and recited the Rosary at the grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, offering prayers for Pope Francis’s health. The pilgrimage concluded at the Church of Saint Joseph, where the faithful sought the intercession of Jesus’s earthly father for strength in their daily trials.
In the diocese of Shanghai, the Catholic Volunteer Group organized free medical visits after Mass on the first Sunday of Lent, underscoring the community’s commitment to charitable works. Additionally, the weekly Lenten catechism class began with a reflection on the theme, “Proclamation of Hope: The Rite of the Imposition of Ashes and the Message of the Jubilee.” Among those participating were six newly baptized members of the Sacred Heart of Jesus parish, who were baptized on March 2 and are experiencing their first Lent as Catholics.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Asianews.it
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