By ucanews.com reporter, Shijiazhuang

Some young Catholics are heading out to work as “Matteo Ricci Volunteers”

Young Catholics pose for a photo before leaving to serve in Church-run centers

 in various Church-run operations in China, including a leprosy convalescent home, orphanages, schools and HIV/AIDS treatment centers.

The 19 high school and university graduates will work on assignments lasting from six months to two years, starting in August.

The program is organized by Jinde Charities, a Catholic NGO based in Shijiazhuang, Hebei.

It is named in honor of Father Matteo Ricci, a Jesuit missioner and pioneer of the Catholic Church in China, to mark the 400th anniversary of his death.

“Today’s young people rarely get the chance to serve others,” said program coordinator Hu Limin. “We hope that being ‘Matteo Ricci Volunteers’ will help them to grow in maturity.”

The group received nine days of training on topics such as how to serve people with HIV/AIDS and leprosy as well as interpersonal relationships and psychology.

“Jinde also pays for insurance and transport for all the volunteers and we give them some pocket money so they can focus on their service,” said Hu.

“I’m hoping this will train me to handle challenges,” said 22-year-old volunteer Mary Liu. “I want to do something worthwhile while I’m young and make a contribution to the Church.”

The medical graduate will go to Guangxi on Aug. 15 and stay there for a year, working with HIV/AIDS infected children. “I admit I’m afraid,” she said.

“My desire is to seek a new understanding on life,” said another volunteer, 24-year-old Yang Shuai. “I want to develop my faith and personality through this. Meeting friends who cherish the same ideals has already strengthened my confidence and courage.”