3698(I)_Religious Profession of the FMA in Viet Nam

By Sr. Clara Vu, FMA

Saigon, Viet Nam, August 3 – 5, 2015, in communion with the great joy of Church and the Institute of Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Mary Help Province, Viet Nam (VTN) solemnly celebrated holy masses of religious profession at Tam Ha: 49 young sisters renewed their vows, 16 novices made their first profession, 12 sisters made their perpetual profession, Sr. Maddalena Ngo Thi Minh Chau celebrated her golden anniversary and Sr. Cecilia Nguyen Thi Bach Mai celebrated her silver anniversary of religious profession.

August 3: Holy mass of renewal of profession - “To live is Christ”

This was the theme of the mass of renewal of profession which 49 temporary professed chose in order to express their desire of being transformed and become like Jesus. The mass was celebrated in big chapel of the provincial house by Fr. Barnaba Le An Phong, SBD. May young sisters keep living their “Yes” today faithfully and radically as St. Paul affirmed “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain”.

August 4: Holy mass of first profession – “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Pl 2,5)

Trusting in God’s faithfulness, 16 novices freely and publicly contracted with Him commitment of love. They chose “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” as their motto. The mass of first profession was celebrated in simplicity of family spirit by Fr. Joseph Nguyen Van Am, the vice provincial of Salesian Don Bosco.

August 5: Holy mass of perpetual profession – “Behold, I come to do your will, O God” (Hb 10,5-7)

Following Jesus, who said “Yes” to his Father and offered himself in order to bring salvation for human beings and looking at Mary, the humble virgin who entirely entrusted herself in God’s will, 12 young sisters said perpetual “Fiat” to God: “Behold, I come to do your will, O God”.

With profound gratitude and praises of God’s faithfulness as well as fidelity in vocation of Daughters of Mary Help, sisters joyfully and solemnly celebrated golden and silver anniversary of religious profession of Sr. Maddalena Minh Chau and Sr. Cecilia Bach Mai.

The mass was presided by Bishop Josehp Nguyen Nang, president of Commision on Doctrine of the Faith under Catholic Bishops’Confernce of Vietnam. Concelebrants were Fr. Joseph Nguyen Van Quang, the Provicial of Salesian Don Bosco Vietnam, the Salesians and many other priests. In addtion, numerous religious, parents, relatives, benefactors and guests joined in the mass and shared joy with the province.

Bishop Joseph said: “responses of sisters today proved that Salesian spirit is still timely and continues bearing fruits. Like Jesus, the merciful shepherd, we, especially daughters of Mary Help must be good shepherds for the “wounded” youth.

He added: “the consecrated following Jesus to serve the youth are not only doing good services for society, but all above being the witnesses of God through their three vows. The importance of the consecrated life is doing God’s will. This is which Church expects.”

By the end of the mass, Sr. Rosa Vu Thi Kim Lien, the Provincial of VTN presented the Institute to express gratitude to bishop Joseph, Fr. Joseph, priests, the religious, members of Salesian Family, parents of sisters, etc…who prayed and shared joy with the Institute. She also said special thanks to prarents of sisters who made perpetual profession and celebrated golden and silver anniversary of religious profession.

Let’s us continue to pray for all sisters always place Jesus at centre of their consecrated life so that they keep being prophets of joy and witnesses of hope in the world today.