The socio-historical sources
The book “The Catholic Church in Vietnam from 1975-2000 and Appendix”
Yearbooks of different Congregations
After arranging the events chronologically and analyzing the data, I matched for the last time the
historical sources with the inputs of the Superiors responsible in Vietnam through different
periods. Finally I began to write.
2. The Structure of the book
The history book was printed with size 17 x 24 cm, 540 pages thick, recounting the history not
according to cyclical time but are divided according to the meaning of the stages. It has 9 chapters
and 2 Appendixes retelling events from the time the Salesian Sisters came to Vietnam to explore
(1960) until the event of the relict of St. John Bosco coming to Vietnam (21/01/2011). The story of
Vietnam is read through the image of a seed, consisting these segments:
1960-1963: Land clearing and cultivating. Retelling the years and the first experiences of the
missionaries in their integration and orientation for the mission in Vietnam. They lived in rented
house, and even they did not know Vietnamese, they were utterly dedicated to the teaching of
Catechism, elementary school and organizing oratory activities.
1963-1975: Sowing seeds on the new land. The first community purchased their house from the
seminary. From here the work developed: aspirantate, Oratory, Kindergarten, Elementary and High
School. In 1967 the Vietnamese sisters returned to Vietnam after their formation in Hongkong and
Rome, and they collaborated closely with the missionaries.
1975 – 1997: Deeply rooted in silence. Under the Communist regime, the missionaries were
expelled. Only 12 native sisters remained. Life was tough, the sisters were being suspected, they
were not allowed to teach, their activities were limited. However the sisters were happy, they served
quietly and persistently in forming religious vocation, teaching catechism and training catechists.
1997 – 2003: Life growing. Vietnam belonged to Pre-Province SEA. The number of personnel and
the communities increased, initiatives were introduced before the societal changes, new forms of
serving the poor resulting from the migration phenomenon were adopted.
2003 – 2009: Firm Steps – Vietnam was a Pre-Province in 2003 and became a Province in 2009.
The Province continues to grow strongly in the fidelity and creativity in the mission to respond to the
growing demands of multifaceted in today’s societal context and promote missionary resilience.
3. Sharing my experience from history writing
It took me 6 years to write the history book, but what I personally gained is much longer, larger and
deeper. First of all, this history tells of God’s providential love on our Institute. Writing history is not
only about retelling the events, rather it’s the capacity to recognize God’s presence hidden within,
it’s the making memories of the historical persons alive, and the vitality of the Institute can be seen
in time.
I am convinced and value the importance of writing house Chronicles, of history mentality
which must be promoted and nurtured. For if our predecessors had not written down their history nor
had they kept the historical data, there was no way we could recreate the history.
My limitation in historical expertise is a reminder that I must always be open to the light of the
Spirit, with God’s mediation. I must be sensitive to the events, must devote myself to search, be
quick to the signs, even for me they are vague, and I must be ready to change.
When the history book was completed, I was very happy because I felt that I personally
touched the depth of the life of our Province. My love and my sense of belonging to the Institute had
grown. I feel more responsible in living and in giving my contribution, and in particular I understand,
love and appreciate my sisters more.
What remains in me is my gratitude, first of all to God who always guides and intervenes in
the history. I thank the Province for the support and provide good conditions for me to write this
history book. I thank each sister who joyfully gave her contribution so that I could have the historical
data. I thank all those who readily shared their experiences and help so that I could do my best in
particular Sr. Lina Chiandotto who sent me precious materials from Cambodia Archives, Sr. Elena
Miravalle from Hong Kong Archives. And I thank you for your listening to my sharing.
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