On the day after Pope John Paul II passed away, one member of Archdiocese Chinese Catholic Community how the pope had strengthened his life of faith and that the pope had always wished to visit China but has not be able to during his lifetime. Along with him, other members of the church felt the same regret.

After the pope passed away, Catholic churches worldwide was in tears. The Archdiocese Chinese Catholic Community displayed the picture of Pope John Paul II with two candles and flowers in his remembrance.

Brother Chen said that since his grandfather’s generation his family has believed in Catholicism. The faith and moral defense of the Pope has always been the core of his family’s faith. While the pope was still living, he had traveled throughout the world, except for China. This was not only the hopes and wishes of the pope, but also the regrets of Catholic believers as well.

The Archdiocese Chinese Catholic Community currently does not have a permanent chapel. The gathering is performed in the second floor of an apartment. The cross and the prayer mats are all placed on the spot. Nearly a hundred believers crowded the apartment to attend the lament; many of them brought their children to the gathering. The crying of children was mixed with the reading of scriptures, displaying the importance of faith within the believer’s normal lives.

The chair of the Community, Father Dou indicated that the believers in the congregation have already reached more than two hundred in number. He hopes that their congregation will soon find a permanent chapel.