ASIA/CHINA – Christmas time for Chinese Catholics. When the light of Jesus crosses the days of pain

ASIA/CHINA – Christmas time for Chinese Catholics The days of pain are overthrown by the light of Jesus Christ

Marta Zhao
Beijing (Agenzia Fides). – Many Chinese Catholics will never forget the Christmas season that just ended.
The new Covid-19 pandemic brought with it the suffering and difficulties that accompanied the joy at the birth of Jesus. Many families were affected by sorrow and grief in the days that followed Christmas. The sensus fidei of many baptized persons found Christmas to be a way to live through such difficult circumstances as Christians. “Many stories, events, and experiences in these days were to me like a real epiphany’ of Jesus’ faith of brothers, sisters, who are embraced and consoled in Jesus’ life, says Fides Maria Han who attends St. Joseph’s Church in Beijing.
During the epidemic, the Chinese Catholic community has lost many priests, nuns and catechists. Websites of parishes that are accessible via social media such as WeChat were filled by requests for prayers for the sick, dying, and announcements of the deaths many elderly people. There were also spontaneous solidarity initiatives launched to bring antipyretics to those who are also dealing with the disease in isolation at their homes. In Beijing Cathedral, John Zhu Deyou, the historic sacristan, was killed. He is known as “master Zhu” (in this photo). He helped generations of altar boys and catechists grow in faith.
Many people who were dying or seriously ill were unable to receive the anointings of the sick and the sacraments before their death. Children and grandchildren of dying elderly persons, following their sensus fiei, fully exercised their universal priesthood of baptized, blessing and praying for their loved ones in their final moments. They gathered around their parents’ beds and made the sign of a cross with holy water on their foreheads, biding them farewell.
Social networks enabled the sharing of stories about priests who gave Extreme Unction to the dead. The network of parishes, dioceses, and religious communities was also set up to provide dignified burials for all those affected by the pandemic and to provide medicine and food to those families that were unable to return home because of the contagion. “Our communities have shared the trials of anxiety, pain, and feeling helpless in the face of illness. The darkness of these difficult times saw Christmas shine even brighter and more intensely, providing consolation to many. Joseph Zhang leaves the cathedral in Beijing after attending Mass on the Epiphany of Christ. (Agenzia Fides, 10/1/2023)

Share: