The Shrine of Our Lady of Hu Xian
Shan Xi Province

In the diocese of Zho Zhi, in the northwestern province of Shan Xi, everyone knows the famous Xi Shan (West Mountain) is the Mount of the Holy Cross, whereas that of the Dong Shan (East Mountain) is the Mount of the Virgin, a Marian shrine.

According to the diocesan history, the shrine was built in 1923 by the then Prefect of the Apostolic Prefecture, local Italian missionary Bishop Florencio Tessiatore, OFM. During a pilgrimage to Mount of the Holy Cross, Bishop Tessiatore was robbed. After this experience, he wanted to build another sanctuary in a safer place. After inspecting many sites and consultation with local people the East Mountain was selected. Unfortunately, Bishop Tessiatore died shortly afterwards without his dream realized. In 1946, under the guidance of the new priest, Father Lu Jiu Si, three chapels made of wood were built and now can accommodate about a hundred parishioners.

In 1988, the Bishop of the Diocese of Zhou Zhi sent Fr. Li Xiao Di as the new pastor of the shrine, which was like a ruin and without land ownership. With prayer and with the help of Catholic lawyers, in 1999 the Catholic community won back the right of the land. In January 2000, reconstruction work began. The church was rebuilt and the fourteen stations of the Way of the Cross were added. From the Marian shrine you can now enjoy a wonderful panoramic view. The church of Our Lady of China, on top of the mountain, welcomes everyone with open arms.

Reference: Father. Anh Thu Tran (John the Baptist),C.S.J.B., Marian Shrines in China, Published by St. Francis Xavier Church (Chinese Community),Vancouver, BC. Canada,2009.

Address: St Francis Xavier Parish, 428 Great Northern Way, Van.,BC,V5T 4S5,Canada, Tel 1-(604)254-2727, E-mail address: jbtat@yahoo.com

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