austraLasia #1862

China: Pilgrimage with a difference, to Guangzhou

HONG KONG: 3rd June 2007 -- On 29th May, the Salesians and staff of the Provincial House, China Province (CIN), together with two newly-professed postnovices, went on pilgrimage to Guangzhou.  Their main purpose was to visit the Sacred Heart Cathedral at Guangzhou.
    The cathedral is the largest gothic building in China, its structure consisting of granite blocks.  The Chinese in Guangzhou call it, thus, the 'Stone House'.  The cathedral was severely damaged during the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) and had been abandoned at that point.  Three months ago, it was re-opened after two years of restoration work to its original state.
    There is more of interest for the Salesian pilgrim: St Louis Versiglia was ordained bishop in this cathedral in 1921.  Fr John B. Ng recalled that he attended a celebration for Don Bosco's canonisation in the cathedral when he was but 4 years of age.  Bro. Thomas Cheung, now an 82 year-old, said that he once lived as a child in this parish, but knew nothing about God at that time.  He was baptised when studying at a Salesian school in Macau after escaping the Civil War in China.  It was a moving moment as he returned now as a Salesian to this place.
    Before the confreres left the cathedral they were able to meet Fr Gan Junqui, the bishop-elect of Guangzhou who is recognised by both the Pope and the Chinese Government.
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