MACAU (UCAN) -- A biblical diary containing scriptural reflections by Catholics from mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan went into its second print run in less than a month.

Macau-based Claretian Publications printed 3,000 copies of the pocket-sized Bible Diary 2008 in traditional Chinese characters in late October. They had to print 3,000 more after the first batch sold out in just two weeks.

To ensure distribution on the mainland, the publishing house run by Claretian missioners cooperated with Hebei Faith Press in northern China to make 3,000 copies in simplified Chinese characters available in late November.

Priests, seminarians, nuns and laypeople contributed the scriptural reflections it contains.

Father Pedro Chung Chi-kin, co-organizer of the project, told UCA News in November that the English Bible Diary, also published by Claretian Publications, has been available since 1986. However, no similar Chinese version followed until now, noted the priest, vicar general of Macau diocese.

"Through the publication of this Chinese book, we hope to foster a habit of Bible reading among Chinese Catholics," he said.

Bishop Jose Lai Hung-seng of Macau wrote in his preface to the diary, "To be genuine Catholics, we should read and study the Bible." He urged its users to "accept God's word in obedience, faith and action."

The 448-page diary contains daily scriptural readings, reflections and prayers designed to help the user integrate faith and life, as well as a calendar.

The scriptural passages are taken from the Chinese edition of the Bible published by Studium Biblicum Franciscanum in Hong Kong.

Claretian Father Alberto Rossa told UCA News on Dec. 6: "Our goal is to bring the word of God to the people in China and everywhere. We are in a shared mission to form evangelizers in China." He added, "We hope that the word will find open and receptive hearts."

Hebei Faith Press' deputy chief editor Zhou Xiaoxiong told UCA News his organization will offer free copies to parishes on tight budgets, and will also send the diary to clergy, nuns and seminarians as gifts.

Zhou said that before printing, Faith Press asked some mainland Church leaders for their views on the diary. He added that they found it useful, especially for travelers who can reflect on Bible verses while on the move.

"As people become busier in the market economy, the diary would remind our Catholics not to forget to reflect on our faith and life regularly," he asserted.

The diary marks the first time that Faith Press and Macau diocese have cooperated in publishing. The press usually reprints religious books with copyright permission from Churches in Hong Kong, Taiwan or Europe.

Zhou thinks the cooperation helps foster mutual understanding and allows Church people to "join together to do some practical things for the Church in China."

The 23 laypeople from Macau who contributed scriptural reflections to the diary started their work in September 2006 and completed it the following January.

One of them, Henry Lei, who wrote reflections for five successive days in June, told UCA News he prayed as he tried to come up with reflections based on his own experience. He spent a total of three months reflecting on different aspects of the Scripture readings before completing his written reflections.

Lei recalled that his reflection for June 27 is based on the account of Jesus healing a leper in Saint Matthew's Gospel (8:1-4). "A friend had shared with me his experience of serving lepers," he said. "It was very touching and inspired me when I wrote my reflection."

The diary in traditional Chinese costs HK$40 in Hong Kong, 40 patacas in Macau or NT$150 in Taiwan, all in the range US$4.60-5.10. For mainlanders, who use simplified Chinese characters, the corresponding version of the diary costs nine yuan (US$1.20).

Both versions can also be downloaded at (www.bible.claret.org).

(Accompanying photos available at here

MACAU (UCAN) -- A biblical diary containing scriptural reflections by Catholics from mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan went into its second print run in less than a month.

Macau-based Claretian Publications printed 3,000 copies of the pocket-sized Bible Diary 2008 in traditional Chinese characters in late October. They had to print 3,000 more after the first batch sold out in just two weeks.

To ensure distribution on the mainland, the publishing house run by Claretian missioners cooperated with Hebei Faith Press in northern China to make 3,000 copies in simplified Chinese characters available in late November.

Priests, seminarians, nuns and laypeople contributed the scriptural reflections it contains.

Father Pedro Chung Chi-kin, co-organizer of the project, told UCA News in November that the English Bible Diary, also published by Claretian Publications, has been available since 1986. However, no similar Chinese version followed until now, noted the priest, vicar general of Macau diocese.

"Through the publication of this Chinese book, we hope to foster a habit of Bible reading among Chinese Catholics," he said.

Bishop Jose Lai Hung-seng of Macau wrote in his preface to the diary, "To be genuine Catholics, we should read and study the Bible." He urged its users to "accept God's word in obedience, faith and action."

The 448-page diary contains daily scriptural readings, reflections and prayers designed to help the user integrate faith and life, as well as a calendar.

The scriptural passages are taken from the Chinese edition of the Bible published by Studium Biblicum Franciscanum in Hong Kong.

Claretian Father Alberto Rossa told UCA News on Dec. 6: "Our goal is to bring the word of God to the people in China and everywhere. We are in a shared mission to form evangelizers in China." He added, "We hope that the word will find open and receptive hearts."

Hebei Faith Press' deputy chief editor Zhou Xiaoxiong told UCA News his organization will offer free copies to parishes on tight budgets, and will also send the diary to clergy, nuns and seminarians as gifts.

Zhou said that before printing, Faith Press asked some mainland Church leaders for their views on the diary. He added that they found it useful, especially for travelers who can reflect on Bible verses while on the move.

"As people become busier in the market economy, the diary would remind our Catholics not to forget to reflect on our faith and life regularly," he asserted.

The diary marks the first time that Faith Press and Macau diocese have cooperated in publishing. The press usually reprints religious books with copyright permission from Churches in Hong Kong, Taiwan or Europe.

Zhou thinks the cooperation helps foster mutual understanding and allows Church people to "join together to do some practical things for the Church in China."

The 23 laypeople from Macau who contributed scriptural reflections to the diary started their work in September 2006 and completed it the following January.

One of them, Henry Lei, who wrote reflections for five successive days in June, told UCA News he prayed as he tried to come up with reflections based on his own experience. He spent a total of three months reflecting on different aspects of the Scripture readings before completing his written reflections.

Lei recalled that his reflection for June 27 is based on the account of Jesus healing a leper in Saint Matthew's Gospel (8:1-4). "A friend had shared with me his experience of serving lepers," he said. "It was very touching and inspired me when I wrote my reflection."

The diary in traditional Chinese costs HK$40 in Hong Kong, 40 patacas in Macau or NT$150 in Taiwan, all in the range US$4.60-5.10. For mainlanders, who use simplified Chinese characters, the corresponding version of the diary costs nine yuan (US$1.20).

Both versions can also be downloaded at (www.bible.claret.org).

(Accompanying photos available at here