CV NEWS FEED // Bishop Joseph Shen Bin of Shanghai has called on Catholics to renew their hearts in faith as two historic churches, both dedicated to Saint Joseph, were reconsecrated following restoration efforts.
The reconsecration ceremonies took place just ahead of the March 19 Solemnity of St. Joseph honoring the foster father of Jesus and Patron Saint of China, Agenzia Fides reports.
On the second Sunday of Lent, March 16, Bishop Shen Bin presided over the reconsecration of the Tianma Church in Shanghai’s Songjiang district. The liturgical celebration, attended by more than 1,000 Catholics, also included the sacrament of Confirmation for more than 200 adults.
In his homily, Bishop Shen Bin expressed deep gratitude to the priests, nuns, and laypeople who contributed to the church’s restoration. He also acknowledged the assistance of local civil authorities, whose logistical support made the project possible.
“May this temple of God’s grace be a welcoming house of faith for all,” he said, encouraging the faithful to journey toward holiness under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Tianma Church, first built in 1850, has long been a cornerstone of Catholic life in the region. The church was closed for decades but was reopened for worship on December 16, 1989.
A day earlier, on March 15, Bishop Shen Bin led the reconsecration of the Beitaowan Church in Shanghai’s Baoshan district. More than 300 parishioners gathered for the solemn liturgy concelebrated by 30 diocesan priests. During the Mass, 17 parishioners received the sacrament of confirmation, reaffirming their commitment to the Catholic faith.
The Beitaowan Church is 375 years old, first built in 1650 and then rebuilt in 1875.
During the years of religious suppression, the church was closed, but on March 10, 1989, it became the first Catholic church in Baoshan district to be reopened for public worship.
During the celebrations, Bishop Shen Bin exhorted the faithful to grow in spiritual renewal, inspired by the physical renewal of the churches: “Since the visible temple has been rebuilt, we must now also make the interior temple of our heart more spiritually alive.”
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