BEIJING (Fides): “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, China, held from August 16 to 21 at the Yuantou Formation Centre in Lintong.
Led by Father John Baptist Zhang, founder of Xinde, a Chinese Catholic charitable and communications organisation, the retreat offered participants the chance to set aside their daily pastoral activities and devote themselves more fully to their spiritual lives.
Participants reflected on their personal relationship with God, experienced his presence, listened to his voice and deepened their communion with him. They also reflected on their journey of ongoing conversion and the call to renew the promises made at their priestly ordinations.
On August 21, the priests and religious joined Bishop Antonio Dang Mingyan in expressing fraternity and communion in the Lord, offering a witness of faith as members of the same Body in Christ.
Meanwhile, the Diocese of Taizhou in Zhejiang Province organised its annual spiritual retreat for priests from July 26 to 31.
Father Fang Buke of the Sheshan Seminary in Shanghai reflected on the theme “Knowing the true Jesus Christ more deeply”. On the final day, he presented Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas.
Throughout August, many religious sisters also participated in periods of spiritual renewal. The Congregation of the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Mary in the Diocese of Baotou organised a formation programme on human and spiritual maturity from August 21 to 23.
Following a retreat on the theme of vocation, held from August 19 to 22, the Congregation of the Presentation of Mary in Anhui Province took part in the renewal of vows.
