Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Beijing (Agenzia Fides) – ‘Scrutiny’ for catechumens preparing to receive Baptism, along with pilgrimages, works of charity, and sharing: this is how many Chinese Catholic communities intensely experienced the third Sunday of Lent.
In Beijing, in the parish of the Miraculous Medal, also known as Xutang (Western Church), the scrutiny of the thirty catechumens of the parish catechism course was celebrated.
Accompanied by their godparents, the catechumens received the anointing and recited prayers to "draw closer to the Lord and follow Him, resembling Him," as the parish priest, Fr. Paolo Feng Pengji, explained. In addition, two nuns from the Diocesan Congregation of Saint Joseph, who had professed their perpetual vows on the Solemnity of the Holy Spouse of Mary, shared their testimony of the birth of their vocation with the community. Young people from the same parish made a Lenten pilgrimage to the Beijing Diocesan Seminary. After visiting the church, library, classroom, and refectory, and listening to the vocational testimony of some of the seminarians, they celebrated the Stations of the Cross together.
In the Diocese of Shanghai, approximately 100 faithful received the sacrament of Confirmation on the third Sunday of Lent.
In the parish dedicated to Saint Joseph in Xinpudong, 35 adult faithful received Confirmation from Bishop Joseph Shen Bin. Another 60 parishioners from the Parish of the Annunciation received Confirmation in preparation for today's patronal feast, March 25. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides, 25/3/2025)
