Tam Ha (Vietnam). From 3 to 5 August 2024, at the provincial headquarters of Tam Ha, Mary Help of Christians Province (VTN) celebrated the renewal of vows of the Temporary Professed FMAs, First Professions, Perpetual Professions, 25th Anniversaries of Profession, and entry into the Novitiate.
On 3 August, 61 temporary professed Sisters renewed their vows in the Holy Mass presided by Fr. Joseph Nguyen Kim Khanh, Provincial Vicar of the Salesians of Don Bosco in Vietnam. He was joined in the celebration by Fr. Michael Itthiphone Xayyasen from Laos. Starting from the motto, “Blessed is consecrated life” chosen by the Temporary Professed, Fr. Joseph invited them to look at their path of consecration with gratitude and to experience the merciful love of God even in weakness, renewing their commitment to love Him.
On 4 August 2024, in gratitude and joy priests, religious, relatives, and benefactors gathered in the Provincial Chapel for the Eucharistic Celebration of the First Religious Profession in the FMA Institute of 8 young women with the motto, “God called me with His grace” (Gal 1:15).
The celebration was presided by Fr. Barnaba Le An Phong, Provincial of the Salesians of Don Bosco in Vietnam, with about 20 concelebrants. The Provincial, Sister Maria Hoang Thi Thu Ha, Delegate of the Mother General, welcomed the Newly professed to the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.
After the proclamation of the Gospel, there was the Rite of First Profession with the announcement of names and the presentation of candidates, who replied: “Lord, here I am, you have called me,” in response to God’s call in the vocation of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.
After the homily, the Rite of Profession continued with the questioning of the candidates, prayer, proclamation of the Professions, reception by the Provincial, bestowal of the Constitutions and the Crucifix. Video
At the end of the Mass, the Provincial expressed gratitude to God for the eight New-professed and to their parents because they are “the first benefactors of the Institute,” and joy especially for the first FMA in Laos, Sister Teresina Vilaybonh Xayyasen, who expressed herself as follows:
“Today in receiving the covenant of love, I feel that this is a great gift from God for me: to become the first FMA in Laos.” Thanking her family, Superiors, Sisters, and all those who supported and accompanied her in the difficulties, especially of integration into a new culture with a new language, she said, “I will never forget the great love I feel and it will be a source of motivation for me on my way to becoming a living song of thanksgiving to God, in serving poor and abandoned young people, to help them recognize the love of God”. Photo: Flickr FMA
On 5 August, at the Provincial House, the Holy Mass of the Perpetual Profession of 20 Sisters and the Silver Jubilee of Religious Profession of 9 Sisters were celebrated, presided by the Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Saigon, Msgr. Joseph Bui Cong Trac, and concelebrated by over one hundred priests.
In the homily, the Bishop invited reflection on the meaning of renunciation. In the Gospel, it was the rich young man who approached Jesus, who encouraged him to “sell everything and follow him.” Msgr. Joseph led the community to reflect on life’s choices: the choice of self-giving must be a choice for God and for the Gospel, to experience His “Eternal Love”.
During the celebration, nine sisters who were celebrating their 25th anniversary of profession renewed their vows and their dedication. Before concluding the Mass, the Provincial, Sister Maria, expressed her thanks to the Bishop, the Salesians, the Superiors of the Congregation, the priests, religious, parents and relatives of the Sisters, the benefactors, and all those present for having shared the joy and for always collaborating with the Institute in the mission.
On the afternoon of 5 August, in the chapel of the Community of St Joseph of Tam Ha, Mary Help of Christians Province welcomed with joy 9 new Novices. The Provincial, the Provincial Council, the Community Animators, and the Sisters of the three Communities of Tam Ha attended the ceremony.
The ceremony began with a prayer for the candidates. Then Sister Marta, Community Animator, announced the names of the nine candidates. The conferment of the medal of Mary Help of Christians is a sign of their belonging to the Institute. Mary will be their Mother, teacher, and guide in all their steps.
“The Novitiate is a time for you to experience silence in the desert. To harmoniously unite contemplation and action. You must create inner silence, regularly comparing your life with the Word of God and the Constitutions, so as to transform your daily commitments into occasions of meeting with God,”, said the Provincial.
Photos: Flickr VTN
Che bello ! Che abbondanza ! AUGURI di fedeltà perpetua a tutte quante.
Dal Madagascar
Condivido la vostra gioia che è la nostra, Auguri di cuore
Che meraviglia tutte queste giovani sorelle vietnamite! Il carisma di Don Bosco e Madre Mazzarello prospera in un paese a bassa percentuale di cattolici, un vero segno profetico. Auguri a tutte