Amid the sound of brass music and the gentle glow of candlelight, the Catholic Diocese of Wuhan witnessed a moment of grace and renewal on October 28, 2025, as Deacon Wu Songjiang was ordained to the priesthood at St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Shanghai Road, Hankou.
The ordination Mass was presided over by Bishop Cui Qingqi of Wuhan and concelebrated by 40 priests, with the participation of 20 religious sisters and around 300 lay faithful. The celebration was both solemn and joyful, filled with thanksgiving for God’s continued blessing upon the local Church.
The most moving moment came when the newly ordained priest, Father Wu Songjiang, vested in his chasuble, knelt in tears of gratitude, a symbol of his total offering to God and His people.
In his thanksgiving message, Fr. Wu expressed deep gratitude to Bishop Cui for his pastoral care, to his seminary formators for shaping his vocation, and to his parents for their faith and sacrifice. “I want to live out the mission entrusted to me, to be a priest beloved by God, trusted by my bishop, and close to the faithful,” he said. “May my priesthood bring joy to the Church and serve as a bridge of love and faith among God’s people.”
A Growing Church with Great Pastoral Needs
The Diocese of Wuhan, located in Hubei Province, is one of the oldest Catholic centers in central China, with a vibrant but scattered Catholic population. The ordination of Fr. Wu Songjiang brings renewed vitality to the clergy of the diocese and stands as a sign of hope for the broader Church in China. It also reflects the steady efforts of the local Church to nurture faith, encourage new vocations, and strengthen pastoral ministry amid rapid social and cultural change.
As the bells of St. Joseph’s Cathedral rang in celebration, many faithful expressed joy and gratitude. For them, this ordination was not merely a personal milestone but a communal blessing, a reminder that, even amid challenges, the Church continues to grow through faith, service, and the quiet courage of its shepherds.
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