Remembering a Chinese chapel on the Feast of the Assumption
As I was thinking of the Feast of the Assumption today, I found myself remembering a small chapel in Guangzhou, China, which John and I have visited on both of our adoption trips to China. The chapel is dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes, and there is a small grotto with a statue of the Blessed Mother.
I attended an early morning Mass there when we were in Guangzhou in 2009, listening to the Rosary and then the Mass in Chinese—Cantonese, I suspect, though I do not know. I remember that as I was receiving communion, the priest recognized me as an American and said, “Body of Christ" in English.
John and I tried to attend a Mass there with Daniel last year, but the correct Mass time was lost in translation and we were too late for the service. Still, we were able to pray there, and as we knelt in a pew on that humid August Sunday, a kind, older man turned on the fan closest to us. We were so touched by his kindness.
As we were leaving the church, we saw this sign outside. I can’t tell you what it says, but I recognize the picture.
Hail Mary, full of grace.
The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, mother of God,
pray for us sinners now
and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
8/15/2012 5:20:41 PM
By Rita Buettner