The month of May, which the People of God traditionally dedicate to Mary, is also a time when the fruits of the intercession of the Mother of God can be seen—among them, new priestly and religious vocations in mainland China. In recent weeks, according to information gathered by Fides, in a month marked by pilgrimages and community recitations of the Holy Rosary, many priestly and diaconal ordinations have also been celebrated, from the northern province of Hebei to the south-eastern province of Guandong.

Welcoming the new priests and deacons with great joy, the local communities share gratitude for the arrival of the new “workers in the Lord’s Vineyard” called to bring renewed energy to the missionary work of dioceses and parishes.

Peter Feng Xinmao, bishop of the diocese of Jingxian/Hengshui ordained two priests and a deacon from the diocese of Shijiazhuang, in Hebei province. The solemn ordination liturgy was concelebrated by more than 100 priests from the province. Recalling the nature of the priestly ministry, Bishop Peter Feng encouraged the new priests and deacons to “deepen their mission and responsibilities by dedicating themselves to evangelization and pastoral work. In this way,” he said, “we can truly be the light of the world and the salt of the earth to help realize the Kingdom of God and make the Church flourish.”

On the feast day of the Apostles Philip and James, Bishop Anthony Dang Mingyan, of the diocese of Xi’an, presided over the priestly ordination of Peter Chen Panfei at the Shaanxi Regional Seminary, in a solemn liturgy that saw the participation of 40 concelebrating priests. Dang prayed for Father Chen, asking that “the Lord grant you abundant grace by giving you the opportunity to proclaim the Gospel and always walk the path of holiness, exercising charity at the service to the People of God”.

On the feast day of the Apostle Matthias, May 14, Bishop Joseph Zhang Xianwang ordained two diocesan priests.

On May 20, Bishop Joseph Liao Hongqing of the diocese of Meizhou (Guangdong province) celebrated the priestly ordination of Father Li Yanxiong (see photo), encouraging him to “be a model for Christians through the Word of the Lord, to proclaim by putting into practice what is proclaimed.