On this page the China Center keeps you up to date on the situation of the religions and of the Christian Churches in China.
Pope Benedict XVI published a letter on May 27, 2007, entitled: „Letter of the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI to the Bishops, Priests, Consecrated Persons and Lay Faithful of the Catholic Church in the People's Republic of China.“ In this letter, the Pope asks that Catholics throughout the entire world set aside May 24th each year as a „Day of Prayer for the Church in China.“
„Dear Pastors and all the faithful, the date 24 May could in the future become an occasion for the Catholics of the whole world to be united in prayer with the Church which is in China. This day 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. I would like that date to be kept by you as a day of prayer for the Church in China.“ (From the letter of Pope Benedict XVI to the Catholic Church in China, May 27, 2007.)
Click here (on p. 2) for the Prayer of Pope Benedict XVI to „Our Lady of Sheshan“ (published on May 16, 2008).
To celebrate this Day of Prayer for the Church in China, the China-Zentrum has compiled some materials in German language that you can download below for your own use.
You can order the printed Prayer Leaflet at the China-Zentrum.
Cut-to-Size Prayer Leaflet in DIN A4 Size for Producing 3 Leaflets (PDF)
Prayer Sheet in DIN A4 Size with Three Prayers (PDF)