BEIJING (Fides): Mission Sunday was celebrated by China’s Catholic communities on October 19. Websites, blogs, and accounts dedicated to Church news dedicated entire pages to the initiatives launched by local communities
At the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Bishop Joseph Yang Yongqiang of Hangzhou administered Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation to 29 adults, recalling the sacramental source of all apostolic work.
“Every baptised person, recipient of the gift of faith is also a proclaimer of the Gospel of Christ,” Bishop Yang said, “We are called to bear witness to Jesus with our lives, build bridges with charity, and become missionary apostles for society.’
The concert, called “Pilgrims of Hope” after the theme of the 2025 Jubilee, saw the participation of many parish choirs, who also performed songs to express their welcome to the newly baptised.
In Jiujiang, Jiangxi Province, parishioners listened to the history and purposes of Mission Sunday, recounted by Father Pang Rui, and contributed to raise generous donations for the mission.
The priest pointed out that involvement in the mission of proclaiming the gospel strengthens the bond of communion among all the sons and daughters of the Church.
In Wenzhou, the celebration began with a vigil on October 18.
“Mission is not a vocation reserved for a few, but rather the grace-filled response of every Christian to the Lord’s call,” said parish priest, Father Li Yi. Nineteen catechumens received the first Sacraments of Christian Initiation during Mass.
Meanwhile, Catholic communications workers from Zhejiang province reaffirmed their intention to remain faithful, “in our future creative projects, to our original aspirations, using our tools to bear witness to the faith and employing new media to spread the gospel.
The parish of Beilun in the Diocese of Nongbo also began with a vigil on October 18. Bishop Francis Xavier Jin Yangke and Father John Baptist Zhang, the animator of the ecclesial information portal inde.org, also participated.
