Bishop Shen Bin encourages seminarians and religious sisters to remain faithful to their vocation at Sheshan Seminary’s year-end ceremony.
Newsroom (30/06/2026 Gaudium Press ) Bishop Joseph Shen Bin of Shanghai urged future Church leaders to remain faithful to their vocation, place the proclamation of the Gospel at the center of their lives, and bear authentic witness to the faith during the closing ceremony of the academic year at Sheshan Seminary.
Addressing seminarians, religious sisters, and lay faithful gathered for the event on June 26, Bishop Shen Bin emphasized the importance of never losing sight of the calling received from the Lord. He encouraged participants to nurture a deep commitment to evangelization while maintaining steadfast love for both their homeland and the Church.
The ceremony marked the conclusion of the academic year and included the presentation of diplomas to seminarians from the 2020 course and participants in the fourth formation program for women religious. More than 120 priests, seminarians, religious sisters, and lay faithful attended the event, including representatives from the dioceses of Wenzhou and Ningbo.
In his address, Bishop Shen Bin called on graduates to deepen their understanding of traditional Chinese culture and actively promote the ongoing process of sinicization. He also stressed the importance of cultivating humility and self-discipline through the evangelical spirit of poverty, urging future Church workers to embrace a life of service and simplicity.
The bishop further encouraged the development of communion within the Church community, highlighting the need for mutual cooperation and a spirit of service. Such qualities, he noted, are essential for building a harmonious and fraternal Church capable of responding effectively to pastoral challenges.
As part of the celebration, graduating students presented gifts to the seminary as a sign of gratitude. Bishop Shen Bin personally awarded theology degrees to six graduates, while several religious sisters received diplomas recognizing the completion of their studies. Scholarships dedicated to the memory of Bishop Aloysius Jin Luxian were also presented to outstanding recipients.
The significance of Sheshan Seminary’s contribution to Church formation was further acknowledged by a representative of the civil authorities, who expressed appreciation for the institution’s role in educating Chinese priests, religious sisters, and lay faithful.
Seminary Formation Across China
The conclusion of the academic year at Sheshan Seminary coincided with similar ceremonies held at institutions across China, including the National Seminary in Beijing and the Beijing Diocesan Seminary.
At the Beijing Seminary, twelve seminarians and twenty-three religious sisters completed their academic programs. Alongside academic formation, the seminary organized a series of initiatives aimed at strengthening spiritual development and vocational discernment among future clergy.
On June 24, the Feast of Saint John the Baptist, seminarians reflected on the challenges inherent in the vocational journey. Spiritual reflections presented during the observance emphasized that perseverance in a religious calling depends upon reliance on the grace of God and faithful response to His invitation.
Following a spiritual retreat held on June 27, seminarians gathered the following day at the Cathedral of BeiTang to share a celebration of thanksgiving and fellowship with the local parish community.
The formation year culminated on June 29, the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, when seminarians participated in a liturgical celebration marking the completion of restoration work at the historic Church of Nantang, dedicated to the Immaculate Conception.
The ceremony was presided over by Bishop Joseph Li Shan, who blessed the church’s baptismal font and consecrated its altar. The church, founded more than four centuries ago by Jesuit missionary Matteo Ricci, remains one of the enduring symbols of the Catholic presence in China, where praise and worship have continued through generations of faithful.
Together, the ceremonies in Shanghai and Beijing highlighted the Church’s ongoing commitment to theological education, spiritual formation, and the preparation of future priests and religious leaders dedicated to serving both the Church and society.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Fides News
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