Staff at Chinese Marian shrine honored by mention in papal letter

Published: 2007-07-26

SHANGHAI, China (CNS) -- A Shanghai priest said he and his fellow clergy feel honored that Pope Benedict XVI mentioned the Sheshan Marian shrine in his recent letter to Catholics in China. In his June 30 letter, Pope Benedict urged the whole church to pray with Catholics in China each May 24, which he said is "dedicated to the liturgical memorial of Our Lady Help of Christians, who is venerated with great devotion at the Marian shrine of Sheshan in Shanghai." Father Ma Dachao, parish priest of the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Sheshan, told the Asian church news agency UCA News in mid-July that the papal mention was an honor for the Shanghai Diocese and a great encouragement to all clergy. Bishop Aloysius Jin Luxian of Shanghai and his auxiliary, Bishop Joseph Xing Wenzhi, expect more pilgrims to travel to Sheshan next year, and the diocese should be prepared, the priest said.

Copyright (c) 2007 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .