In his recent pastoral letter on the situation of the Catholic Church in China dated May 27, 2007, Pope Benedict has asked Catholics from around the world to hold a day of prayer on May 24 for China. May 24 is the feast of Mary, Help of Christians, a devotion widely observed in China.

In his letter, the Holy Father expresses great hope for the Catholic Church in China and begs for reconciliation among Chinese Catholics and for the government of China to allow full religious freedom for all religious believers.

Holy Redeemer Chinese Catholic Church will answer the Pope's call by offering a morning of prayer on Saturday, May 24. The program begins with the rosary at 9 AM, followed by Mass at 9:30 AM and then a lecture on the situation of the Church in China by Father Joseph Zhang, a Chinese priest studying for a doctorate in theology in Washington, DC. Cardinal Justin Rigali will be principal celebrant and homilist.

The people of Holy Redeemer Chinese Catholic Church, 915 Vine Street, Philadelphia, invite all Catholics of the Archdiocese to join in this day of prayer by attending the program on May 24. For more information you may contact Father Tom Betz, OFM Cap., Coordinator for the Chinese Apostolate by calling 215-592-7552. Also, all are invited to join in praying for China by privately saying the prayer which is being circulated for this occasion:

Prayer to Our Lady of China
Hail, Holy Mary, Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Mother of all nations and all people.
You are the special heavenly Mother of the Chinese people.
Teach us, your way of total obedience to God's will.
Help us to live our lives true to our faith.
Fill our hearts with burning love for God and each other.
Stir up in our youth, an unconditional giving of self to the service of God.
We call on your powerful intercession for peace, reconciliation and unity among the believers and conversion of the unbelievers in China and throughout the world, for God's mercy is our only hope.
Our Lady of China, Mother of Jesus, hear our petitions and pray for us. Amen.

Imprimatur: Bishop William E. Lori
Bishop of Bridgeport, Connecticut

Contact
Meredith Wilson
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747