Zhouzhi (AsiaNews/Ucan) - The first procession of the Blessed Sacrament in Zhouzhi diocese, northwestern China, in half a century has stimulated devotion among local Catholics celebrating the Year of the Eucharist.

To the accompaniment of drums, trumpets and firecrackers, four village parishes in Mei county, Shaanxi Province, joined recently in the procession. The procession, which drew the interest of curious onlookers, was held during the traditional festival season of  Chinese New Year.

"Through this event, we responded to the Holy Father's call of promoting communion within Church communities during the Year of the Eucharist," Father Wu Yangzhi, parish priest of the Yongan village church said. In the village there about 500 Catholics. The procession, which began and ended in Yongan. However, the parish has been conducting adoration of the Blessed Sacrament for 30 minutes every Thursday since the pope announced the special year.

A parishioner surnamed Li said some Catholics "could hardly believe" what they were seeing. They "were amazed to see the Blessed Sacrament being brought outside the church," he said, pointing out that "this was the first procession of this kind to be held in our villages since 1949." That was the year communists consolidated their rule over all of mainland China.

"The activity aroused our enthusiasm toward the Eucharist. We have begun to participate in the adoration and Eucharistic celebrations more frequently. We recognize its relationship to us and are eager to live righteous lives," Li said.

"Many non-Catholic villagers were curious and popped out of their homes to see what was going on in the streets, with so many Catholics marching along with musical instruments," added the layman. The event had an evangelizing effect as a witness of faith, he said, noting that the procession marched around some factories run by Catholics, where non-Catholic workers came out to see what was happening.

The procession went through five villages. Catholic families kneeled and prayed as it passed. On entering each of the three villages with parish churches, the procession participants went to the church for a benediction service with the Blessed Sacrament.

Local Catholics said the procession was their response to Pope John Paul, whose document for the Year of the Eucharist included a call for such events. The idea for the local event came from an elderly priest in Yongan who recalled Church processions there before 1949.