4823(I)_"You did not choose me, but I chose you" (Jn 15,16)

The generous commitment of 20 newly Professed Salesians

August 19, 2018

By Gia Thi, SDB

Ba Thon, Vietnam -- On August 14, 2018 the Vietnam Province witnessed the first profession of 20 generous young Salesians in the chapel of Ba Thon Novitiate.

The Solemn Mass was presided by Fr. Joseph Nguyen Van Quang, the Provincial, with 70 Salesian and diocesan priests concelebrating. The chapel was full pack of religious, families and friends.

In his homily, Fr. Joseph Nguyen Van Quang, the Provincial, quoting Pope Francis' Exhortation Gaudete et Exultate, invited the community to praise God and rejoice for this amazing grace. He remarked that we thank God because there are still many generous hearts who willingly answer God's call. Fr. Joseph added, we are witnessing twenty young energetic men, giving up their ambitious dreams to dedicate themselves for God in serving the poor youth. This is indeed a grace and mystery. He reminded them the words Mama Margaret told Don Bosco when he entered the Seminary to give himself totally to God and not to worry about anything else.

At the end, one representative of the newly professed Salesians thanked God, all Salesians, families and friends for being present on their great day and asked their prayer for the grace of holy perseverance.