|
||
|
|
|
AM -AUTOBIOGRAPHY en |
|
|
1 Pages 1-10 |
▲back to top |
|
|
1.1 Page 1 |
▲back to top |
A HISTORY
OF SALESIAN WORKS IN VIETNAM
IN THE FOOTSTEPS
OF DON ANDREJ MAJCEN
A SALESIAN MISSIONARY
IN CHINA AND VIETNAM
An autobiography by Don Andrej Majcen SDB
revised by Don Mario Rassiga SDB
and completed by the SDB Province of Vietnam
Ljubljana 1989
|
|
1.2 Page 2 |
▲back to top |
Dedicated to Don Egidio Viganò, Rector Major,
and Don Bernard Tohill,
Emeritus Councilor General for Missions
Don Majcen (standing) and Don Kerec (sitting)
The first Salesian missionaries to set foot on Kunming, China
|
|
1.3 Page 3 |
▲back to top |
Just graduated from a teachers’ college, the
young man Andrej Majcen determined to offer
himself to God…
… and received the Missionary Crucifix, Fr.
Majcen bids farewell to his mother to go to far,
far lands, China and Vietnam.
The young priest Andrej poses for a photograph with his family.
|
|
1.4 Page 4 |
▲back to top |
In a visit to his country after many years away, Fr. Andrej with his
old mother and family at the romantic lake of his Slovenia.
…and poses for a souvenir.
4
|
|
1.5 Page 5 |
▲back to top |
FOREWORD
The chief author of this book is Father Andrej Majcen, a Salesian missionary. He has worked
for 22 years in the missions in China and then for 22 more years in Vietnam, first in the North
and then in the South. He has also worked for some more years in Hong Kong and Taiwan
before eventually returning to his country.
After his return to Slovenia (former Yugoslavia), in response to the wish of the General
Superiors, he began collecting historical documents and the monumental private notes he had
taken in all his missionary life.
Father Mario Rassiga, SDB, the author of the History of Salesian Works in China and
Vietnam, has organized the data from Fr. Majcen’s abundant notes, with a literary editing by
Dr. Emilio Bonomi.
This book is a very valuable resource for the study and research in the missionary history
of the Salesians. As a historical narrative, it is expected to help everybody to have a general
knowledge of the matter, but for the Vietnamese Salesians in particular, it is a precious record
of the beginnings of Don Bosco’s works in their country.
Ljubljana 24 September 1989
INTRODUCTION
Fr. Majcen tells us the story of his missionary adventure that God has led him through. He is
acknowledged as the “patriarch” and “founder” of the Salesian Congregation in Vietnam.
After a series of long conversations and interviews with him, Fr. Rassiga has published the
Don Andrej Majcen, A Salesian Missionary in China and Vietnam.
It is now time for us Vietnamese Salesians to study the account of the History of the
Salesian Works in Vietnam through this book edited by Fr. Rassiga, together with other
writings of Fr. Majcen at the request of Don Viganò who was then Rector Major of the
Salesians, as well as his personal correspondence during his last twenty years in Slovenia.
Thus this History of the Salesian Works in Vietnam in the footsteps of Don Majcen will
closely follow Fr. Rassiga’s published book, with some additions or minor revisions based on
other writings from Fr. Majcen.
The following document aims to help everyone who wishes to respond to the appeal of
the Archbishop of Ljubljana: “All who personally knew the Servant of God Fr. Andrej
Majcen are kindly invited to inform vice-postulator Anton Ciglar SDB about anything that
might benefit the process (of his beatification). Please send declarations of your encounters
with missionary Andrej Majcen to this address: Rakovniska 6, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.”
Fr. Majcen’s sanctity is a most cherished legacy for all of us who are his spiritual
children. And it is hoped that his children in Vietnam will eagerly cooperate to bring his
holiness to light.
Xuan Hiep, November 30, 2006
Feast of St Andrew, Patron of Fr. Majcen
i
|
|
1.6 Page 6 |
▲back to top |
DECREE FOR THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE BEATIFICATION PROCESS OF
THE SERVANT OF GOD FR. ANDREJ MAJCEN SDB
Archiepiscopal Ordinary's Office in Ljubljana
No. 1253/10
In accordance with the Apostolic Constitution "Divinus perfectionis Magister" of 25
January 1983, Chapter I, Art.1, following the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints of 7
February 1983 "Normae servandae", No. 11b, and "Sanctorum Mater" of 17 May 2007, Art.
43, §3, on behalf of the Archdiocese of Ljubljana,
I hereby commence the process for the beatification of the Servant of God, Fr. Andrej
Majcen, SDB.
The Servant of God Fr. Andrej Majcen SDB (1904-1999) was a fervent Salesian and
priest, spiritually matured for sainthood in the twenty-two years of exceptional missionary
apostolate in China and Vietnam as well as in the last twenty years of his life in Slovenia.
On 13 December 2007 the Salesian Provincial Office in Ljubljana requested the
commencement of the diocesan beatification process of the Servant of God Fr. Andrej
Majcen through postulator-general Enrico dal Covolo SDB. He noted the full agreement of
Vietnamese and Slovene Salesians who can attest to his exemplary Christian and Salesian
life as well as heroic fulfillment of the Christian virtues. Besides this, many people claim to
regularly pray for his intercession as he passed away with a reputation for holiness. Also his
spiritual legacy, especially Reflections, Spiritual Diaries and Personal Spirituality (more than
6,000 hand-written pages), clearly reveal his depth and systematic daily striving for spiritual
growth.
Following the request of my predecessor, the Congregation for the Causes of the
Saints issued a document 'Nihil obstat' on 5th November 2008 stating that nothing hinders
the commencement of the mentioned process.
Considering all these facts and the indisputable spiritual excellence of loyal gospel
preacher the Servant of God Fr. Andrej Majcen who has proven himself as a missionary
among Salesians and people in the local Church and abroad, as well as being convinced
that his virtues will encourage missionary zeal and growth in holiness, I hereby notify the
Archdiocese of Ljubljana of the commencement of the aforementioned process.
All who personally knew the Servant of God Fr Andrej Majcen are kindly invited to
inform vice-postulator Anton Ciglar SDB about anything that might benefit the process.
Please send declarations of your encounters with missionary Andrej Majcen to this address:
Rakovniška 6, 1000 Ljubljana.
All God's people of Ljubljana Archdiocese are requested to pray for the beatification
of Fr. Andrej Majcen, for his intercession and to report about favors granted in writing to the
vice-postulator. The more declarations of this kind we receive, the sooner the universal
Church will recognise the Servant of God as a heavenly intercessor.
God bless all your efforts and may he help us successfully complete the process.
From Ljubljana, 4 August 2010
ii
|
|
1.7 Page 7 |
▲back to top |
PART ONE
PROVIDENCE PREPARES
DON MAJCEN FOR HIS MISSION
IN VIETNAM
|
|
1.8 Page 8 |
▲back to top |
|
|
1.9 Page 9 |
▲back to top |
CHAPTER I: HIS EARLY LIFE (1904-1924)
His Childhood
Fr. Andrej Majcen was born in Maribor, the second largest city of Slovenia (former
Yugoslavia).
His father—also named Andrej—was from Borove. After finishing secondary school, he
was sent to the seminary, as his mother Teresa had wished him to become a priest. However,
realizing himself not fit for the priestly vocation, he stopped all his seminary formation and
went to a teachers’ college instead. For this his mother never forgave him, seeing it as a
defection and considering him a wayward boy, so that without money he had to drop his
studies to earn a living. At first he worked as an office clerk, then as a consultant at Maribor’s
Court, where he could manage to have a secure living. He then married Maria Schlick, a very
virtuous girl from the same town. After finishing primary school, she entered a school run by
the nuns where she was taught the rules of economy and housework besides religious
instruction. And the first lovely fruit of this wedding was the birth of our boy Andrej, then his
sister Maria, his brother Zoran who died as a child, and his youngest sister Milka.
When Andrej was four, his parents moved their family to a minor court in Kozje, then to
a major court in Krsko, where by his honesty and wisdom, his father was entrusted the
delicate charge of assuring the good of the teenagers and the orphans. Father Majcen later
would tell us that his family had been living in a house that was very humid and harmful to
their health, causing his father to fall seriously ill, and it was only by his mother’s care and
prayers that he could save his life. After moving to Krsko, his family could live in a better
house. But when Andrej was ten, there broke out a war with Serbia that instantly evolved into
the European War. During the war, Andrej was educated in a secondary school where
German and Slovene languages were used. Those were very terrible years for all the people:
nobody had much to eat, because even with a lot of money you could not buy enough food.
In 1919, his parents sent him to a teachers’ school in Maribor where there were very
good teachers but where also liberal and socialistic ideas were so popular that could
otherwise endanger his young mind. Fortunately he was saved through his mother’s constant
prayers and encouragement.
His father was often ill, his sisters kept growing, and much money had to be spent for
medicines. Andrej kept studying very hard, knowing he would later have to be the bread
winner of his family. In his final year at school, he was almost tempted to drop, but with the
aid of his aunt Catarina who gave him lodging in her house, he managed to finish his studies,
and graduated in 1923. It was on this occasion that his father made a great effort to buy him a
new suit.
An elementary school teacher
Graduated as a teacher at 19, Andrej was too young to get a job. Unemployment was
unbearable for him. His mother kept praying to Our Lady in the nearby church of the
Capuchin Fathers, and her prayers were unexpectedly granted, thus making a decisive turn in
his life. Hearing that Andrej was unemployed, an ancient teacher of his who had become a
school inspector found for him a teaching post in the school of the Salesians in Radna. The
Salesians here had near their formation house an elementary school for children who had lost
1
|
|
1.10 Page 10 |
▲back to top |
2 Chapter 1: His Early Life (1904-1924)
their parents during the war and who were entrusted by the government to the Salesians’ care.
Getting his salary for the first time in life, he immediately wanted to send 100 dinars to his
mother but she refused to take it. The Radna castle had been bought by Don Rua several
years before; it was surrounded by a very lovely park. It was there that the Polish and
Austrian Salesians were received first, and then after the war, it was there that the first
novitiate house in Slovenia was erected by Father Provincial Tirone.
Andrej had never known the Salesians before, but their gentleness, their cheerfulness,
their seriousness in study and their profound devotion greatly impressed him and made a big
change in him. While he had been suffocated by the unhealthy atmosphere at the Teachers’
College previously, now in Radna he could enjoy serious learning, joyful work in the
vineyards and in the fields, and happy festivals and solemn processions. He heard a veteran
missionary speaking on the missions in America and on the great figure of Cardinal Cagliero.
All this made him imagine the large extent of the Salesian Congregation.
One day the teacher Fr. Knific asked him if he wanted to learn Latin, that is, if he wished
to become a priest. In fact, that was the germ of his vocation. He first told this to her mother
who felt extremely happy, but he did not dare to tell it to his father who dreamt of a teaching
career for his son. Later on, however, seeing the beneficial atmosphere at Radna, his father
gave his consent too.
In August 1924, Andrej asked Fr. Provincial Tirone to admit him to the novitiate. The
Provincial asked him: “Do you love Our Lady?” Without hesitation he replied: “Sure,
Father.” And Father Provincial told him in Slovene: “Very good. Please ask the government
to let you quit your teaching post and prepare yourself to enter the novitiate in September.”
And so he applied to the Provincial for admission and was accepted.”
2
|
|
2 Pages 11-20 |
▲back to top |
|
|
2.1 Page 11 |
▲back to top |
CHAPTER 2: TEN YEARS OF SALESIAN LIFE
IN LJUBLJANA (1924-1935)
Becoming a Salesian (1924-1925)
On August 31 1924, Andrej entered the novitiate in Radna. On September 8, he went to
Ljubljana together with other fellow novices. Cardinal Cagliero would consecrate the Shrine
of Mary Help of Christians in the city town of Rakovnik, in Ljubljana. All the novices were
eagerly making preparations for the consecration rites, and so they had the opportunity to see
Cardinal Cagliero and listen to his conference on Don Bosco’s testament: “Work, work,
together with the curses against the slothful.”
The donning of religious habit had been scheduled on September 11, and Cardinal
Cagliero was expected to preside over it in the great expectations of the Salesians and the
people in Radna. But due to the fatigue after so many ceremonies on the days before, the
Cardinal could not be present, and the Superior Councilor Fr. Fascie had to perform the rites
instead.
Fr. Majcen recorded about his novitiate: “That year, in spite of some contamination of
previous liberal ideas, was and still is for me a complete renewal: a taking off of my old self
to put on the spirit of Don Bosco. From then on this source of spirituality came back to my
memory again and again, especially in 1960 when I started the first novitiate in Vietnam as a
novice master.”
Andrej made his first profession on October 5 1925, feast of St. Francis of Assisi. The
profession day had been delayed for a month due to the absence of Father Provincial.
The year 1925 was declared by the Rector Major Fr. Philip Rinaldi as the “Year of
Mission”, and the cleric Andrej, by reading on the Bollettino Salesiano the articles of the
missionaries (including those of Fr. Kerec), felt himself imbued with these saintly sentiments.
Ten years in Ljubljana (1925-1935)
After his profession, the cleric Andrej was sent to Ljubljana as a student of Latin and
philosophy and as a teacher of the trade students in a school there. Apart from this task, he
translated German textbooks into Slovene to teach technical subjects, and during summer
holidays, he also took a professional course organized by the State so as to get competences
in teaching technical drawing and technics.
In September 1928, his father—who grew ill day after day—called him back home for a
family gathering on the 8, his mother’s birthday. Only with difficulty did he get permission
(the religious discipline was very strict at that time), and he came back to the great joy of the
whole family with whom he posed in a photo wearing his cassock for the first time. On
October 10, he received a telegram telling him his father was going to die. He hurried back to
his father’s deathbed. The moribund was in a coma but still conscious. The parish priest
prompted him to say brief invocations and the Our Father three times. He was in agony.
When his father began to breathe with difficulty and was at the point of death, he was carried
to another room. And he died a moment later.
Back to Ljubljana in 1929, he began his theological studies while continuing to teach at
the school that was currently having so much difficulty with the technical instruction. The
official teacher of this subject had just died. Besides, Andrej’s health was not very good: that
3
|
|
2.2 Page 12 |
▲back to top |
4 Chapter 2: Ten Years of Salesian Life in Ljubljana (1924-1935)
was partly why he found this year very difficult. But his patience was up to the point that he
satisfied even the most demanding pupils.
He was ordained priest in 1933, and after his first Mass, he was nominated prefect of
studies and member of the House Council, responsible for the vocational training department
of that school. In this new office, apart from his previous engagements, he had to run this
department and other extramural activities, including the responsibility for the Don Bosco
Association of “very different types” of pupils. Father Majcen later would write: “That was
truly a good practical training period for my future missionary ministry.” His missionary
aspiration grew higher and higher, especially after the martyrdom of Bishop Versiglia and
Father Caravario. Nevertheless, in spite of his repetitive applications for going to the
missions, he only received a “No” from his Superiors. In May 1925, however, the way to
missions was open before him: The Freemason regime in Belgrade ordered to close all
private vocational schools. Even the school in Ljubljana suffered the same fate. That was a
carpe diem for Don Majcen. He again applied for the missions, and he was accepted this
time.
4
|
|
2.3 Page 13 |
▲back to top |
CHAPTER 3: BEGINNING OF MISSIONARY LIFE IN CHINA
BEFORE WORLD WAR II (1935-1938)
A. Farewell to his mother and his country For Kunming
Saying farewell to his mum and his country
Fr. Majcen went home to say farewell to his mother. Very sad, his mum said: “Why
should you leave me at this very moment when I’ve lost your dad?” Fr. Majcen could not find
the words to answer. But looking into his tearful eyes, his mother understood the internal
fight between his love for her and his duty. “Alright, go wherever God calls you to,” she said.
“Keep this blessed crucifix as a souvenir and kiss it frequently. Try your best to be a good
priest and a good missionary.”
After the farewell ceremonies in Ljubljana, he left his country which he would not see
again for many years.
On his arrival in Turin, he embraced Father Rector Major, and listened to the conference
of the General Prefect Fr. Berruti to the missionaries.
He recorded these four thoughts: “1. Become Chinese with the Chinese. 2. Never speak
about your own country, at least within two years. 3. Admire everything that is good in
China. 4. Frequently read and reread Don Bosco’s recommendations to the Salesian
missionaries.”
On September 11 1935, Fr. Andrej left the port at Trieste together with other
missionaries. They embarked on the big Conte Verde vessel for the Orient. The missionary
group included the renowned missionary Fr. Boccassino as head of the group, and some
others heading for India, China and Japan. Among the missionaries who went to China, there
was Fr. Paul Jansen who was a German and was Andrej’s voyage companion. As Fr. Jansen
could speak very little Italian, he spoke German more at ease.
All the missionaries arrived in Hong Kong on October 3, feast of St. Therèse de Lisieux,
a patron of the missions. They were received and embraced with paternal love by the
Provincial Fr. Braga. Andrej’s heart was conquered by this embrace. From that moment, Fr.
Braga was Andrej’ superior for the next 16 years. When they came to the formation house in
Shau Ki Wan, they were warmly received by the confreres there, of whom Fr. Majcen
particularly remembered Fr. Massimino who later would live together with him in Vietnam.
After a short stay in Hong Kong, Fr. Majcen also went to Macao where he visited the
Mother House erected in 1906 by the Saint Bishop Versiglia, and when saying the Mass in its
chapel, Fr. Majcen prayed to St. Versiglia to intercede for him that he could receive the grace
of martyrdom, at least without bloodshed. This account will prove that the Saint has accepted
Fr. Majcen’s prayer.
Back to Hong Kong, Fr. Andrej underwent the scrutiny for the “permission to hear
confession” and started learning Chinese—the mandarin—under the guidance of Fr. Francis
Wong. In the meanwhile he prepared himself for his missionary departure to Kunming, where
he had to bring necessary materials for the setting up of shoemaking, carpentry and printing
workshops.
5
|
|
2.4 Page 14 |
▲back to top |
6 Chapter 3: Beginning of missionary life in China before World War II (1935-1938)
The Salesian House in Kunming: Its proto-history
The cleric Carlo Maria di Corostarzu once went to Don Bosco to ask for advice
regarding his vocation, since he wished to engage himself in the missions. The Saint
recommended him to enter the Seminary of the Missions étrangères de Paris (MEP). He was
admitted there, and one year after his ordination, Fr. Carlo Maria was sent to Yunnan, China,
where he became Apostolic Administrator. He was a fervent Cooperator who was very fond
of Don Bosco and who wanted the Salesians to come and work in his diocese.
Already in 1910, he knew of the presence of the Salesians in Hong Kong and wrote to Fr.
Olive and Versiglia expressing his intention. Fr. Versiglia replied that since the Salesians had
just been in China for four years, they could not expand their work yet. In 1924, on the
occasion of the first Synod of China, Mgr. De Corostarzu met Mgr. Versiglia in Shanghai,
and reiterated his invitation, but even by this time, his wish was not granted. It was by
another Apostolic Administrator, Mgr. Giorgio Maria de Jonghe of Ardois, who fulfilled the
wish to have the Salesian presence in the city district of Yunnan (the name for Kunming at
that time). Several years before this event, the latter had had a visit to Don Bosco School in
Shiuchow and had had a very good impression. When coming to Kunming as an Apostolic
Administrator, Mgr. Giorgio Maria was aware of his predecessor’s wish. He offered Fr.
Braga a lovely piece of land with a house on it (once used as a kindergarten for Franco-
Vietnamese children). Though the house was in bad condition, it could still be used at least
for the beginning. He gave in addition a small printing machine and 20,000 francs from his
purse. He promised all his spiritual support to the Salesians, but he also honestly told them
that this was a very poor missionary country, and he was not able to promise any further
material aid. Between the years 1934 and 1935, there was an exchange of correspondence
between Kunming, Hong Kong and Turin: proposals were sent, negotiations were made,
contracts and agreements were signed. In April 1935, the Provincial went to Kunming
accompanied by Fr. Joseph Kerec (a Slovenian) as Rector, and two clerics Albino Fernandez
(Spanish) and Antonio Perkumas (Lithuanian). Of course they talked among themselves in
Italian while using French with the MEP Fathers in Kunming, and they had to start learning
Chinese in the dialect of Yunnan for their contacts with local people.
B. From Hong Kong to Kunming: 1938-1939
At that time, the safest route to go from Hong Kong to Kunming was by passing through
Vietnam. Thus, right after the feast of Mary Immaculate, the confreres to be sent to Kunming
were led by Fr. Braga on a French train heading for Hải Phòng-Hà Nội. They were Fr.
Majcen (Slovenian) and the lay brothers Charles Lee (Chinese) for printing, Louis Oravec
(Slovak) for carpentry, and Stephan Meolic (Slovak) for shoemaking. In Hà Nội, Fr Majcen
admired the devotion to Don Bosco, especially after his canonization, and a great sympathy
towards the Salesians, fruits of Don Braga’s travel, and of his character and lovely
conversations that attracted many people.
It was very pleasant to accompany Fr. Braga in his travel, because he knew how to
explain everything about the places he had been to. The train had to roll on difficult railroads
from below sea level up to 2,000 m above sea level leading to Kunming. The group arrived in
Kunming in the afternoon of December 18 1935. A warm welcome was given to the
newcomers by the confreres who had been there before and who had opened a small primary
school there.
6
|
|
2.5 Page 15 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 3: Beginning of missionary life in China before World War II (1935-1938) 7
Kunming, a new homeland
The Chinese Yunnan province is as large as France, bordering on Vietnam and Burma
(now Myanmar). The province has mountains as high as 2,000 to 4,000 meters above sea
level. Its capital district was Kunming, a very ancient city, once the capital of the Viceroy. At
the time the missionary group came there, it was governed by a governor named Long Yun,
from the Yang ethnic. Very sympathetic with the Salesians, he proposed to them to open a
vocational school there.
The Yangtze River flows from roof of the world, Tibet, passes through Yunnan province
to form a large arc at Chaotong Apostolic Vicariate that was entrusted to the Chinese
ecclesiastics. It was here that between the years 1939 and 1952, Fr. Kerec of small stature
was consecrated bishop and was appointed Apostolic Administrator. The two apostolic
vicariates of Tali and Chaotong had been split up from Kunming Diocese just a few years
before.
Kunming city still kept the appearances of ancient Chinese cities both in its buildings
and surrounding walls. During his first years in Kunming, Fr. Majcen still saw bound-feet
women of old such as seen by Don Bosco in his dream. The foot-binding custom would be
abolished during the 1949 Revolution.
There was a Grand Seminary run by the Saint Sulpice Fathers, while the Sisters of St
Paul of Chartres had the Wisdom School, the one of which our early school was a
department. There were also the Carmelite Sisters and Sisters of other congregations. Outside
the city was the Small Seminary of Pelotang, with an adjacent cemetery where the first heroic
missionaries of Yunnan were buried. From this seminary came the first Yunnan Salesians Fr.
Barnaba Li and Fr. Gregorio Py.
The project of the new ‘Wisdom School for Academic and Vocational Education’ in
Kunming.
As the existing school building was degraded and was not likely to stand for long, the
Provincial Braga and the Rector Kerec planned to build a new building in ferroconcrete, the
first building of this kind in Kunming.
The first thing they had to do is to get a loan from the Indochina Bank and have a French
architect who had to enroll builders from Hà Nội, because there were no competent local
builders who could do concrete work. The construction began in January 1936.
As a Prefect of studies
Fr. Majcen was appointed confessor in Kunming, but the Rector did not like that
appointment, so he asked Fr. Braga to change it and appointed him a prefect of studies.
Starting with only 20 pupils, the school now already had 6 elementary classes. It was
organized in accordance with the school regulations. Highest in authority was a Council with
a Chinese as President. However, this president was a good person who conceded all his
powers to the Salesians. Under this Council was a Prefect who was responsible for all the
school finance and had the right to admit and pay the teachers. The Prefect at that time was
the rector Fr. Kerec. A Principal had the duty to run the study programme of the school. The
relation between the school principal [and the Salesians] in the Salesian schools in China
were very complicate, but Fr. Kerec knew how to use his experience and the guidance of Fr.
Braga, so that he always proved himself to be the leader of the school.
|
|
2.6 Page 16 |
▲back to top |
8 Chapter 3: Beginning of missionary life in China before World War II (1935-1938)
Learning languages
A big obstacle for the missionaries was the study of language. Often they were like
thrown into water to know how to swim. Fr. Majcen had Br. Fernandez Lee as Chinese
teacher. He used a Spanish textbook to learn Chinese. A Chinese teacher taught him correct
pronunciation. Very enthusiastic, he could already publicly babble some Chinese with the
pupils after just a few months. Later he would admit: “I wasn’t sure how much they
understood me, but they applauded me heartily!” After a while, he could already preach short
sermons and also teach catechism to his pupils, using a small catechism book. But he was
caught by a typhoid fever and had to go to hospital for three weeks. Out of hospital, he was
invited by the Fathers of the Foreign Missions of Paris to come to their Small Seminary for
convalescence. And after having fully recovered, he went back to his school. The rector being
often absent, all the burden weighed heavily on his shoulders, but he had the cooperation of
his confreres who always wanted to do everything well. As for the pupils, they first learned to
keep cleanliness (they were not used to this!), then they learned to be quick, punctual, and
they also learned music and sport. After just a few months, they could already march in the
street with their brass band, and in their new beautiful uniforms, they got the admiration of
the people. In addition to Chinese, Fr. Majcen also learned some French, though never
formally in class, but only through talking with the good Fr. Michel from the Foreign
Missions of Paris who came to the school almost every day.
Fr. Majcen got a valuable experience concerning communication: speaking with
outsiders was not as easy as speaking with his pupils. One day when Fr. Kerec was out, some
civil officials came and Fr. Majcen had to receive them. Not understanding what they said, he
replied: “Fr. Kerec is out… We are also Chinese… We are building a vocational school.” Not
knowing what to do and to break the ice, he led the guests into Fr. Kerec’s office and offered
them a glass of wine, and after a series of bowing out, he showed them to the gate. He later
admitted: “I never knew what they came for…”
Workshops
We started the boarding school very soon. Not all the pupils were Christians, but they all
attended Mass. Then with these pupils we could begin to form a group of Altar servers, have
sacred music classes, a choir and other religious associations.
The construction proceeded very slowly: first because we had to dig very deep to find the
firm soil for foundation. This land was in fact a filled-in old pool. Another obstacle was the
prohibition from the police: they had not given permission to proceed yet. The procedure
took a lot of time, but through the intervention of the Missionary Society’s representative
who was a friend of the governor, the construction could proceed faster and after a short
while some classes and shoemaking workshops could move to the new house.
Frightening moments
It was a frightening day when Bishop De Jonghe informed that Mao’s army was
approaching. The army was led by General Chu Te, a military officer from Kunming, and
they were on the point of attacking the city. The governor ordered his men to fight and bomb
by small aircrafts. All Westerners, except the missionaries, had fled to Hà Nội, and the
Salesian confreres, with their rosaries in hand, were anxiously waiting for the coming events.
But after a few days, everybody got news that the communist soldiers had gone away. Life
went on normally as before.
8
|
|
2.7 Page 17 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 3: Beginning of missionary life in China before World War II (1935-1938) 9
The first baptism by Fr. Majcen
In 1937, for the first time Fr. Majcen gave baptism to a boy named Chu Wai Sing after
the boy promised he would not perform his habitual superstitious actions when his parents
died. Unfortunately his father died shortly after, and true to his words, he fled to Chaotong
where he began his studies and later became a priest. Fr. Chu Wai Sing died in 1978 when he
was professor of Oriental philosophy at the Hong Kong [Holy Spirit] Seminary.
The Sisters of Mary Immaculate in Chaotong
With the care of Fr. Kerec care and the invitation of Bishop Chen, Vicar Apostolic of
Chaotong, the Sisters of Mary Immaculate came to Chaotong to run the hospital here. Fr.
Kerec asked the Salesians in Hong Kong to receive the Sisters and help them go to Hà Nội.
Then Fr. Kerec went there to receive them and accompany them to Kunming, and from
Kunming they went on horseback and by cart to Chaotong. Fr. Kerec took this opportunity to
give a spiritual retreat to the local clergy.
Comforting visits of the Superiors
So as to alleviate the Kunming Salesians’ feeling of loneliness and isolation, Fr. Braga
and Fr. Guarona occasionaly went to visit them, assess the situation and preach retreats. Fr.
Majcen always considered these spiritual exercises as a missionary novitiate. From 1st to
10th October 1937, the General Prefect Fr. Berruti and Fr. Candela of the Superior Council
made an extraordinary canonical visit. From Thailand they came to Hà Nội, Vietnam, and
from Hà Nội they took the train to Kunming. They were very pleased with the work done
there: the good constructions and running of the school, and the promotion and formation of
vocations. They voiced their admiration at the Bollettino Salesiano, and this made some
veteran French missionaries envious, because they did not usually show sympathy for the
Salesians who adopted Don Bosco’s policy of not doing politics nor having extreme
nationalism, and did not want to imitate the imperialist methods of the French.
1938: A Decision of not printing a political newspaper
That was on the threshold of World War II. Nevertheless in China, war had been raging
for a long time, and among the people who flocked to Kunming from the cities occupied by
the Japanese, there was also the archbishop Yupin of Nanking. In those time Fr. Kerec made
use of some space in the old house and also had evening classes for students. Archbishop
Yupin intended to continue his politico-religious newspaper and gave some money to buy a
good printing machine from Hong Kong. The economer of St Louis School bought the
machine and sent to Kunming. When the machine came, Fr. Avalle who had been sent by Fr.
Braga as confessor remarked that the printing of a political newspaper, even with a religious
character, was against our religious rules, and such an affair had been prohibited by Fr.
Ricaldone in his canonical visit to Macao in 1927. It was really embarsassing to report this to
Archbishop Yupin, and in fact he was somewhat offended. We refunded the money to the
bishop, while the printing machine was used for our printing shop.
The war situation
The Chinese government withdrew its troops to Chungking to prepare for a counter-
attack with the help of the Americans. These had built a strategic route in Burma, from
Mandalay to Kunming, and in the meantime they had built a big airport near Kunming and
other small airports in the neighboring areas. As for the Japanese, they were not inactive.
They frequently bombed the city. Around September 1938, they destroyed many buildings
|
|
2.8 Page 18 |
▲back to top |
10 Chapter 3: Beginning of missionary life in China before World War II (1935-1938)
and there were heavy casualties. Every time they heard the alarm, the assistants hurriedly
took the children to the suburbs. On the contrary, Fr. Majcen and some others found safer to
remain in the concrete building.
10
|
|
2.9 Page 19 |
▲back to top |
CHAPTER 4: MISSION DURING WAR TIME
1939-1945
A. The Beginning of the War (1939)
Fr. Majcen as Vice-rector (acting Rector) during the years 1939-1945
Fr. Kerec was rector of the house but he was often absent, so Fr. Majcen, who was
prefect and councilor, had to take his place. In 11 October 1938, the Delegate Apostolic Mgr.
Zamin appointed Fr. Kerec as Administrator of the Apostolic Vicariate of Chaotong. With
this new office, Fr. Kerec could no longer take much care of the house, and so with the
proposal of the confreres and the consent of the Superior, Fr. Majcen took up the care of the
community. On October 15 1938, Fr. Kerec left for Chaotong with a caravan of belongings.
Full of emotions and afraid of his new responsibility, Fr. Majcen accompanied Fr. Kerec as
far as Hinleunteng. While they were bidding goodbye, Fr. Kerec encouraged Fr. Majcen with
these words: “You surely will make mistakes, but you’ll know how to correct them!”
The journey was not peaceful for Fr. Kerec. Hardly had the caravan come to the Kun
Shan mountainous region than he was robbed of all his money (HK$ 4,000), together with the
watches he had bought for the priest in Chaotong, and suffered a cut in his belly. Fr. Kerec
would later dramatize this cut; in fact, it was only a small wound, because on arrival in
Chaotong, he could right away sit down before his typewriter to give a dramatic account of
what had happened to him!
Chaotong Apostolic Vicariate
Chaotong was an Apostolic Vicariate entrusted to the Central Diocese of China. It covers
5,000 square kilometers, with a population of 2 million including 8,000 Catholics. The
territory lies in north-west Yunnan; it was split from Kunming diocese to become an
Apostolic Vicariate. Mgr. Chen had been appointed for this Vicariate, but he was not
welcome because he came from another province. Shortly later he was opposed by some of
the clergy and laity. As a reaction against their grave abuses, he imposed anathemas on them.
One of them stirred up a rebellion to the point that poor Monsignor Chen felt anxious for his
safety. That was why the Apostolic Delegate had commissioned Fr. Kerec to come there to
inquire and soften the behavior of the priests and laity. Right after Fr. Kerec’s arrival in
Chaotong, the Apostolic Vicar appointed him Administrator and immediately left for
Kunming and then went to Rome.
A very comforting visit of Father Provincial
Shortly later, Fr. Braga came to Kunming. His visits always were a cause for celebration
for the confreres in this solitary Kunming region. The purpose of this visit was to examine the
Kao Dong situation which had required Fr. Kerec going there, and to preview a change of
personnel, because he intended to send the new theology students to Shanghai. During this
visit, Fr. Braga inaugurated by a simple ceremony the new house for the shoemaker’s,
carpenter’s and printing workshops. Next, Fr. Majcen had a high wall built for the protection
of the whole plot and had to pull down part of the old house that was likely to crumble due to
the bombing tremors.
11
|
|
2.10 Page 20 |
▲back to top |
12 Chapter 4: Mission during war time 1939-1949
Fr. Kerec became a Monsignor
On October 11 1938, the Apostolic Nuncio, Mgr. Zamin, went to see Fr. Kerec and
handed him a decree nominating him as Administrator of Chaotong Vicariate to replace Mgr.
Chen who had resigned. In a party hold by the school teachers in honor of the Nuncio, Mgr.
Zamin read the decree appointing Fr. Kerec as Administrator and in the name of Father
Provincial, he also declared Fr. Majcen as acting rector with all the power and obligation of a
house rector. Now that he was a Monsignor, Fr. Kerec immediately prepared a purple cloak
and some cassocks with purple buttons for his small stature, as well as the coat of arm for his
new title. After finishing the retreat for his confreres, the new Monsignor hurriedly went back
to Chaotong.
Mgr. Kerec was really God’s blessing for Chaotong. Within a few years, with the
rebellious spirit now vanished in Chaotong, Mgr. Kerec managed to build a Small Seminary,
a house for the virgins, and the Vicariate office. He also restored the cathedral where he
celebrated his inauguration Mass after receiving all the authority.
The War Situation
The world situation grew more and more disastrous. The Japanese first occupied
Manchuria, then Peking, Tin Shan, Shanghai and Canton, and continued to bomb even
Kunming. Fr. Majcen got enough news about the political situation both in Europe and the
Orient thanks to a radio set he had bought from a French who left Kunming. Thus he was
informed that Germany had occupied Poland, Austria, Czecoslovakia and Yugoslavia. After
each victory of Hitler, the German soldiers in Kunming gathered in the park previously
belonging to the French to feast until late at night, and sang out triumphant chants on the way
home after they were drunk.
An important visit of the Provincial
Fr. Braga went to Kunming and stayed there from 9 to 11 January 1940 to visit the
confreres for the last time as he had foreseen. He entrusted them to Fr. Kerec whom he asked
to take care of the Salesians in Kunming on his behalf, and made arrangements for the
personnel. Before leaving, he earnestly recommended them to have a filial devotion to Our
Lady and consecrate the house to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
The new Bishop, Vicar Apostolic and the Salesian celebrations
Shortly after the Provincial left, there was a visit of the new Vicar Apostolic, Bishop
Larregain, the successor of Bishop De Jonghe. The Kunming house welcomed him
warmheartedly, but the bishop showed some reserve with the Salesians because they were not
French and in his eyes they were too… progressive!
In the month of Saint Joseph, Mgr. Kerec came and solemnly celebrate his Patron’s feast,
surrounded by the Altar servers group that had been well trained by Bro. Meolic. In the
meantime the choir under the direction of Father catechist Rizzato marvelously performed the
music part.
The feast of the Immaculate Conception was solemnly celebrated in the cathedral, made
remarkable with the choir and Altar servers group. In the house, the feast of Mary Help of
Christians was highlighted by a musical performance and other ceremonies, to recall Fr.
Braga’s recommendation: “The more difficult the time is, the more we have to honor Our
Lady, because she can do miracles.”
12
|
|
3 Pages 21-30 |
▲back to top |
|
|
3.1 Page 21 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 4: Mission during war time 1939-1949 13
A trip to Shanghai
Fr. Braga cut short his visit in Italy to come back to China with the instructions of the
Superiors on their behavior during war time. He called Fr. Majcen to Macao for a talk. After
getting a visa for Vietnam from the consulate of France, Fr. Majcen went to Macao with
some money in his pocket to buy there some material for the shoemaking shop at home. After
delegating his powers to Fr. Rizzato as his substitute, he took the train for Hải Phòng on 26
July. On arriving at the cathedral, he wanted to see the Superior, but the Vietnamese guard
could not understand any of the languages he spoke—Latin, French and Chinese. He then had
to write down Chinese characters to express his request, and the man understood and went to
inform the Superior. Fr. Fernandez went out and warmly welcome him and showed him a
room for rest and installation of his belongings. The prefect also mentioned the presence here
of a French Salesian priest named Fr. Dupont. Thus the two Salesians had opportunity to talk
with one another for the whole evening and the next day. Fr. Dupont had been a parish priest
in Tokyo. There he was mobilized and work as an interpreter for the French officers
whenever they spoke with their Japanese counterparts. He was very fervent, devoting all his
leisure time to his priestly ministry and wished to be soon demobilized in order to wholly
serve the souls. He asked Fr. Majcen to send his words to Fr. Braga who was then in Hà Nội,
to ask whether the Provincial could admit him. At this time, both the government and the
Bishop of Hà Nội proposed to the Salesians to take over an orphanage for the Eurasian
children. A few days later, Fr. Majcen left for Hong Kong and arrived there by sea after three
days. In Hong Kong, he saw that the Salesians were very few and busy, because the confreres
of the Studentate and others had been expelled due to their Italian or German nationalities.
They had gone to Shanghai. Thus Fr. Majcen went to Macao but Fr. Braga was not there. The
vice provincial Fr. Guarona advised him to go to Shanghai to see Fr. Braga. A few days later,
Fr. Majcen and Fr. Arduino, the newly appointed rector of Don Bosco school in Shanghai,
embarked on a small boat and after a very hard journey by sea, they arrived in Shanghai and
got a warm welcome in Namtau. Fr. Majcen had an important talk with Fr. Braga on the war,
the current situation and the personnel, without forgetting to convey Fr. Dupont’s wish to the
Provincial. Fr. Braga appointed him a leader for an indefinite time, because he could not
know when he could be able to see him again. Afterwards, Fr. Majcen stayed in Shanghai,
visited our works there, bought some books and then left for Macao. Fr. Guarona let him rest
for about ten days in a small Salesian farm entrusted to the care of Fr. Louis Montini, a
nephew of the future Pope Paul VI. Hardly had he recovered thanks to the rest and good food,
than he was called back to Macao by Fr. Guarona to head for Kunming before the situation
became worse. He had brought with him shoe leather and other material for the workshop and
intended to go to Hong Kong when he was ordered to go to Hải Phòng. On the way, he got
news that the Pétain government had conceded some strategic sites in Indochina to the
Japanese. At the Hải Phòng episcopal office, he met Fr. Dupont and conveyed him the advice
of Fr. Braga: “Take courage and be patient, never give up!” But the Provincial could not send
him any staff for the moment. The next day Fr. Majcen went to Hà Nội, but he was informed
that the railway had been cut: it had been blown up at the last tunnel near the borders by the
Chinese government for fear that the Japanese could use it to invade China. Fr. Majcen went
to Mr. Pasqualini (an Italian engineer who later became an Italian consul in Hà Nội) who
phoned the airport and found a seat on a small French aircraft for Fr. Majcen to fly to
Kunming. There were on this flight only two passengers beside the pilot, and in the afternoon
of 17 July, Fr. Majcen arrived in Kunming. Fr. Rizzato with his brass band went to welcome
him back in a cheerful atmosphere, but this soon vanished in the worries for a dark future.
Right away they got into the chapel to pray, such as Fr. Braga had recommended them in
time of distress.
|
|
3.2 Page 22 |
▲back to top |
14 Chapter 4: Mission during war time 1939-1949
Five days later, the Vichy government ordered to stop the Japanese expansion into other
areas. But the order was delayed, and the Japanese quickly occupied some more areas, and
unexpectedly arrested all the French officers and took over their powers. On September 25,
the Berlin-Rome-Tokyo Axis was declared, resulting in the isolation of the Kunming
confreres from their Superiors in Turin and from other confreres of the China Province.
Fr. Majcen’s collaborators
During the past years, Fr. Majcen received a great help from the following people:
The cleric Fernandez, a Spanish. He spoke Chinese fluently and was very fond of music.
With music, he brought to the house its Salesian cheerfulness. Later, he studied theology in
Shanghai, and after ordination, Fr. Fernandez came back to Kunming and lived here till 1951.
The cleric Perkumas, a Lithuanian. In Kunming, he was a mature assistant, sensitive and
knowledgeable, and easily kept order and discipline among his pupils.
The cleric Henry Changeat, a French. Already when the Salesians came to Kunming, the
MEP Fathers had asked Fr. Braga to send a French confrere and insisted on this when Fr.
Braga and Fr. Berruti came to Kunming. Those Fathers, especially the elderly ones, held that
religion could not be introduced into the Chinese people unless it passed through the French
culture!!! Once he saw it feasible, Fr. Braga sent to Kunming the cleric Changeat who was
French but was born and educated in London. In Kunming, Changeat was a good assistant,
delicate and devout. He helped Fr. Majcen a great deal in learning French. He stayed in
Kunming until the number of pupils went down because of bombardment. Fr. Braga called
him back and sent him to study theology in Shanghai.
Bro. Charles Lee worked in Kunming in the years 1936-37. He was specialized in
printing, had a good communication with the pupils thanks to his knowledge of Cantonese,
and in his communication with his Salesian confreres, he used Italian which he had learned at
the Rebaudengo Institute.
Bro. Joseph Shi came to replace Bro. Charles Lee in the printing department.
The cleric Augustine Valete, a French. He was sent to Kunming to replace the cleric
Changeat. Bro. Valete was not successful with his studies in Shanghai, so Fr. Braga sent him
to Kunming as an assistant. He was zealous and eagerly wanted to teach catechism to the
children in the house. He prepared his lesson very well, but he spoke Chinese with a French
accent so that nobody understood him. Not wanting to become a lay brother, he went to
Burma to find way to get back to France. He stayed for a few months in a Salesian house in
Mandalay. In that difficult period of the Japanese occupation, there was a bubonic plague
which he contracted and which caused his death.
The cleric Simon Liang lived in Kunming in the years 1937-38. He also had to cut short
his studies at the studentate and became a lay brother. However, because he used to wear the
long black Chinese gown that looked like a cassock, he appeared before the public as a real
cleric. He was a wonderful assistant, and not wanting to give up his studies, he could manage
to resume them through the help of Fr. Avalle. Fr. Braga called him to Shanghai together
with the cleric Changeat and he was re-admitted in the studentate and was ordained through
so much hardship. Fr. Liang worked in Macao and Linchow. After innumerable tribulations
suffered here, he died a martyr by his royalty to the Pope, in the prisons of Linchow in 1956.
In 1937, it was the tailor Yip who set up a sewing workshop on good base.
14
|
|
3.3 Page 23 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 4: Mission during war time 1939-1949 15
Fr. Joseph Avalle came to Kunming as a confessor and a great helper of Fr. Majcen. He
had been working in Kunming for two years until his poor health forced him to go. He left a
loveable memory there.
In 1939 Fr. John Rizzato came to Kunming as a catechist. Young and zealous, he
initiated in Kunming a new approach to teaching catechism, designed a presentation of
catechism and applied a form of prayer using spoken words instead of the ancient
unintelligible prayers. All this made a great impact but it did not please the French
missionaries who were still too attached to the old methods. After realizing that he was no
longer needed in Kunming, he left the school in December and made a dangerous journey by
car across several provinces and eventually came in the diocese of Shiuchow where Fr. Braga
sent him to work.
The lay Brother Lodovico Rojak came to Kunming on December 27 1939. He was head
teacher of the carpenter’s shop and an excellent sculptor.
In September 1940, Fr. Joseph Seng came as a prefect of studies, together with the cleric
Louis Rubini, a very good assistant. Shortly after came the lay Brother Marongiu to help
Father economer.
B. War time 1940-45
During the war, Monsignor Kerec strictly obeyed Fr. Braga’s recommendation to be his
representative. He went to Kunming to make the “canonical visits”, preach retreats and
arrange for the smooth running of the confreres, even of the temporary Rector. He said he can
shout, animate, encourage and create enthusiasm. Monsignor Kerec was always loved by the
missionaries and the French people who lived in Kunming. Everybody well knew that when
he encouraged others, it was as if he was emboldening himself, who by temperament was not
courageous at all!
Since 1940, even in Kunming, the preparation for war increased day after day, while the
Japanese air raids caused more and more damages and casualties. The bombings went on
until 1944, resulting in the reduction of the number of students number because people kept
flocking into the school for refuge and eventually the school had to be closed. There were
only five boarding student who remained with us, as they had nowhere to go. As we said
earlier, some confreres had been sent somewhere else by the Superiors. The rest, having no
longer the income from the students’ fees, had to make the school ground a vegetable garden
to get some money; they were short of salt and rice, and each only had one bowl of rice twice
a day. To earn a living, our confreres decided—without asking for the government’s
permission—to reopen the classes every evening, when the bombing had stopped. Then there
was an order that all German citizen should leave China and all Italians had to be
concentrated. Even the cleric Rubini had no choice but to obey, but remembering Fr.
Michel’s advice, we all kept silence. The police did not know the names of the foreigners in
Kunming and Bro. Rubini was not harassed but could still go on with his task in the school,
and the number of students gradually increased.
1941 — Amidst the dangers of bombing and the troubles from the Bishop
Bishop Larregain had in mind that the religious members must absolutely serve the
bishop as did the good Sisters of St Paul and the Saint-Sulpice members at the Grand
Seminary. Fr. Majcen tried to please him as far as possible, and the Bishop wanted him to say
Masses to the Carmelite Sisters at 5.00 every morning, as well as to the Sisters of Mary
where there was an old Sister who, wearing her watch, always showed her annoyance every
|
|
3.4 Page 24 |
▲back to top |
16 Chapter 4: Mission during war time 1939-1949
time he came even a minute late. She did not know that he had to go in the rain and the wind,
and often had to jump over water holes on the way.
Still, the Bishop wanted him to come as a confessor to these sisters, and also to preach
retreats at the Seminary, all of which cost him dearly. He moreover insisted that in our
Salesian houses, we should use the ancient prayers formulae, and a MEP missionary even
sent in a boarding student to spy on and provoke disorder in the house. The real reason for all
this foolish thing was never told but it was bare truth: the Bishop belonged to the ‘French’
Catholic Church that advocated the expansion of the French culture (and not only culture) in
China. Our Salesians did not want to yield. Once, a troublemaking boy was dismissed, and it
happened that he had been sent to us by a MEP Father. Fr. Majcen was not aware that in the
contract signed between Fr. Braga and Mgr. De Jonghe, there was a clause saying that the
Salesians should receive up to 40 pupils from the MEP Fathers. Fr. Braga was too generous
in this, but Fr. Majcen, on the other hand, could not bear such troublemakers in the house,
while the Salesians themselves could not have two frugal meals a day! The confreres were
right when they said we are exempt religious, who are not obliged to obey the Bishop in his
extreme demands and beyond his jurisdiction. And poor Fr. Majcen had to pilot the
community in such a condition, when the nerves of everybody were so tense because of the
bombings outside and the privations in the house.
The number of students went up to 150, thanks to the wisdom of the Salesians who
showed that they did not belong to the French Church, that they loved China and the Chinese.
They did not have any other politics except that of Our Father.
During the first days of August, there was an examination in the school under the
government’s supervision. The students got very good results, resulting in the increase of the
school’s prestige. More students enrolled during summer, thus increasing the amount of
school fees by which we could pay the teachers and the confreres and could improve their
living standard.
Moreover, the bombardments were very frequent but none touched the school. They
occasionally fell near it and several glass panes were broken. Doors and windows were swept
away to give free access to rain and wind.
The Americans set up radarscopes to discover the enemies’ bombers and accordingly
fired back by series of cannons called “flying tigers”. There were even air battles that made
the aircrafts of both sides fall down like torches!
The famine and Christian charity
The war brought with it famine too. Many people died of hunger. Christian charity came
to help: Bishop Romaniello of Qylin diocese and Bishop Pasang of Keungman had to flee
before the Japanese invasion. In Kunming, the Salesians all at once prepared the meals for
poor people who were at the point of starvation. Mgr. Romaniello had the idea of making
large pots of porridge out of American flour to save many people with minimum wastage.
A radio set
Thanks to the optimal location of Kunming, Fr. Majcen could easily receive the radio
waves of Europe, thus he could hear the fanatic voice of Hitler, noisily declarations of
Mussolini and discourses of Churchill promoting the resistance. At night he even could listen
to the radio programs in Slovenian from a secret radio station located near Trieste giving
news on the activities of Tito and Pertini’s guerrillas.
16
|
|
3.5 Page 25 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 4: Mission during war time 1939-1949 17
The Sacred History and the shoemaker’s shop
A Jewish lady, the German ambassador’s wife, went to see Fr. Majcen. She saw an
illustrated Sacred History, The Old Testament, and she was very excited. She had a son who
had a twisted foot but Bro. Meolic had made for him a shoe that fitted it very well. The book
and the shoe pleased her enormously, and since then she became a great promoter of our
shoe’s shop, helping it to increase its customers both in number and quality.
Mgr. Kerec in Mandalay
Mgr. Kerec went to Kunming to preach a retreat. Knowing that Bro. Meolic was going to
Tali and Lashiofino, Mandalay, to buy materials for his shoe’s shop, he wanted to accompany
him too. In Mandalay, Mgr. Kerec was warmly welcome by the confreres, believing that by
this visit, the Monsignor fulfilled Don Bosco’s dream about the meeting between the
Salesians who came from the North with those in the South. Actually that dream was about
the meeting of the Tartarians with the Chinese, but in Mgr. Kerec’s fancy, it became an
historic event.
The invasion of Burma and the plague
In March 1942, the Japanese invaded Burma and cut off the strategic route to Burma.
Thus the Americans had to make another route called the Stilvelt road crossing Assam to
transport their military supplies to China. To avoid the Japanese invasion, many Chinese had
to leave Burma and went to Kunming. Unfortunately enough, they brought along the plague
that affected the whole city. Of those affected by the disease, was one of our boys who lived
near our school who, on his way home for a treatement, died after having said the short
invocations Fr. Majcen had taught him.
The death of the Bishop
Bishop Larregain caught a typhoid and was immediately taken to hospital where he died
on April 21 1942. Fr. Majcen arrived at his deathbed before his death and asked him to bless
our school. Fr. Michel became the diocese’s Administrator until 1944, and during this time he
regularly came to visit us with so much love.
The death of the MEP Vicar General and the illness of Mgr. Kerec
Fourteen days after the death of Bishop Larregain, the MEP Vicar General, Fr. Savin,
suddenly died on April 25. After they had attended the funeral mass for the Bishop in
Chaotong, Fr. Majcen and Mgr. Kerec also came to pay homage to the Vicar General’s body.
Mgr. Kerec touched the forehead of Fr. Savin mumbling: “Poor Fr. Savin!” But Fr. Majcen
warned him: “Don’t touch his body! He has died of the plague: it’s contagious!” Frightful,
Mgr. Kerec on his way home asked Fr. Majcen how to prevent the contamination. He told
him that liquors were very effective against disease. So Mgr. Kerec had someone buy him a
liter of alcohol and he drank a lot of it. One hour later, Mgr. Kerec called Fr. Majcen and
said: “I have a heavy stomachache! The disease has got into my stomach! I’ll surely die.
Please say good-bye to my Superiors and relatives and tell them I’m very sorry!”
And he immediately went to Fr. Michel to make a general confession and then felt a little
better. But he wanted Fr. Majcen to call Sister Paola of the Maryknoll, a nurse of the
American Red Cross Hospital, to take him to hospital. Paola called an ambulance but Mgr.
Kerec without being aware that he was sick, put on his Monsignor’s habit and walked himself
to the hospital; he even went up the hospital’s steps! Two weeks later he went home,
healthier and fatter thanks to the hospital, and he celebrated a thanksgiving Mass.
|
|
3.6 Page 26 |
▲back to top |
18 Chapter 4: Mission during war time 1939-1949
Disturbances in the school
Because of the increase in the students’ number, the principal Thân Văn Tường asked Fr.
Majcen to take in two teachers he considered very capable.
So far our school had always run very smoothly, but the two new teachers were full of
democratic and communist ideas. They began to stir up the senior students so that these
became arrogant and unruly. One day Bro. Meolic had his workshop materials stolen, so he
beat one of the students. It was like the sky was falling, because the schools in the city were
full of violence and the police had shot a student recently. Although the agitation in the house
went down when Bro. Meolic publicly apologized for his behavior, the two new teachers
introduced their revolutionary ideas into the school and even the principal was affected by
those ideas. In November, students of the final grade ran riot, breaking glasses and
furniture… Fr. Majcen had to take strong measure: he summoned the principal to give him a
warning and fired the two new teachers and the rebellious students, as he threatened to
dismiss even the principal. The principal Thân Văn Tường immediately obeyed and the
problem was settled. From then on, however, the principal was no longer on friendly terms
with Fr. Majcen. On his part, Fr. Majcen was ready to fire him at the end of the school year to
replace him with Mr. Joseph Leung, an alumnus who was currently a literature professor at
university. Fr. Majcen later wrote: “It seemed I was playing a game: I needed to be careful in
each move, otherwise I would lose, meaning the closure of the school.” In the school, he tried
to promote and strengthen the Salesian spirit by giving goodnight talks to the confreres, and
by his conferences to the students based on the teaching of Salesian tradition collected by
Don Ricaldone in his “Salesian Formation”. He encouraged his confreres to keep calm,
because the events were God’s trials. Speaking to the students who were mostly pagans, he
followed Fr. Braga’s advice, explaining Confucius’ sayings in order to develop natural
virtues.
That was his way of introducing his boys to Christian life.
A bitter pill to swallow
On December 8 1943, Monsignor Alexandre Derouineau was appointed Apostolic
Delegate of Kunming. While waiting for his arrival, Fr. Michel prepared a report on the
running of the diocese sede vacante. He met Fr. Majcen and, with a malicious smile, handed
the draft to him. Fr. Majcen read it and saw it full of praises for the Carmelites, the
Missionary Sisters of Mary and of Saint Paul and their orphanage, but without a word about
the Salesians and their innumerable school activities. Fr. Majcen was immensely offended.
He realized that our school was intentionally forgotten because it did not belong to the
“French Church”! He tried to swallow his pride, without saying a word about this to his
confreres for fear of their being offended, and this of course was a legitimate feeling. On the
other hand, Fr. Majcen always showed his humility before those (French) priests, who had
been hurt by the famous article of Fr. Berruti on the Bollettino Salesiano extolling the
Salesian Preventive System for its best effects in education without having to use the French
language and French culture! Evidence of the fruits of the Preventive System was the great
number of the children baptized on Fr. Majcen’s feastday, and by the increase in the number
of the pupils to 635, including 135 boarders and 15 vocational students. Catechism was
prohibited by the government in the curriculum. It must be taught outside the school classes,
often in the evening. Catechism students were divided into different groups: one taught by Fr.
Majcen, another by Fr. Tuong, and the rest by the Saint Sulpice Fathers and some theology
students of the Seminary. The students were very eager to attend catechism classes in which
they could listen to the stories taken from the Bible, the Gospel and catechism books.
18
|
|
3.7 Page 27 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 4: Mission during war time 1939-1949 19
Other troubles
Among the many troubles of that period, there were several intrusions of burglars.
Although Fr. Majcen had a high wall built around the house, yet the thieves managed to make
holes in the wall to get in. At one side of the house there was a small unfrequented alley
where those “unknown rogue at night” could easily perform evil deeds. There were lots of
troubles at that time. In Kunming, hosts of troubling incidents took place. The State launched
several mouse eradication campaigns. Each family must hand over to the police 10 mice per
month, and each school 15 mice. By offering some money to the cooks, Fr. Majcen could
easily get enough mice to pay his tax. But for those families living in clean, concrete
buildings, it was not easy at all. And the police came to help them. They took the mice people
brought to them and resell them for some money, thus helping those families fulfill their
duty. But this making money game could not last long; it was soon detected, and people
began to be cautious enough to throw the mice into a barrel of lime right after they were
received by the police.
Fr. Majcen got a fever
Weakened and exhausted by continuous stress, Fr. Majcen got a fever in June and had to
stay in bed. Fortunately there were at that time several priests who were taking refuge in the
episcopal office, whom Fr. Majcen could ask to replace him in saying the masses.
The replacement of the principal
After the past incidents of November, Fr. Majcen decided to change the principal, and
with the generous help of the president of the school council he easily got the necessary
permission from the Education Department. He gently dissmissed the principal and, to save
his face, he announced this decision during a dinner before the presence of all the teachers.
He used very kind words to thank the principal and introduced his successor. This
replacement was a great victory with the Salesians, but Fr. Majcen did not show any
triumphalism. He always tried to be very humble (as a servant of servants according to the
advice of Fr. Braga). He however kept control of everything and nothing would happen
without his consent.
A meeting in the school yard
All confreres of Kunming were very attached to and interested in the good running of
their house. The school was in a very difficult financial situation due to the interest they
should pay to the bank. The confreres held a meeting on the school yard to solve this and
other problems and they deliberated to live thriftily and tried to find other ways to increase
their income.
Bro. Meolic would raise the price of shoes from his shop without causing it to lose its
customers. The head of the printing shop would find additional orders from the railway
management which, although already nationalized, still used the ticket forms in French. The
two confreres of the carpenter’s shop, Rojak and Ovarec, thanks to their business with
outsiders, could not only keep the shop but also make furniture for the school and provide
maintenance services for the house, thus saving a lot of money. Even Bro. Marongiu could
earn some money by selling socks… With those savings and various businesses, and the
selling out of unnecessary things of the house, the confreres could get a good amount of
money (around 2 million Chinese yuan), enough to clear all the debts Fr. Kerec had borrowed
earlier from the bank. Everybody felt relieved.
|
|
3.8 Page 28 |
▲back to top |
20 Chapter 4: Mission during war time 1939-1949
Remarkable visits
There were frequent visits by the American officers stationed in Kunming. One day, an
officer told Fr. Majcen that once in a canal in Taiwan, a ship carrying the Salesians was
shipwrecked. The officer was very sorry for them and offered a good sum of money to Fr.
Majcen to say Mass for them. It turned out that they were three Salesian postulants on their
way to Shanghai for their novitiate).
Good relations with the MEP
Mgr. Derouineau greatly helped to improve the relations of the Salesians with the MEP
and solved a number of inconveniences due to misunderstanding. The former contract signed
by Fr. Braga with the MEP was revised, stating that it was incumbent on the Salesians to
receive the MEP’s students only on condition that these were really poor and at a suitable age
for their grade: because students who were too old could not sit together with the smaller
ones.
The bombing of the Carmelite convent
In an air raid of the Japanese, a bomb fell on the Carmelite convent. Fr. Majcen came to
visit them and was introduced into their closure, an exception given by the Bishop for some
exceptional visitor of the convent.
There he witnessed some damages made by the bombing, and admire the sisters’
poverty. In his conversation with the Abbess, he wondered how she was so well informed of
what was happening around. His question was soon answered. The Sisters earned their living
by raising some cows and selling their milk to the city. It was through the selling girls that the
Sisters got all kinds of news and it was through the Abbess that Fr. Majcen could have the
news about the missions and the missionaries that he otherwise had not known. In fact, some
secluded convents had … special antennae to get news.
Fr. Sing had an accident
In those times, Fr. Sing was very happy to meet his eldest brother whom he had not seen
for very long. But that joy did not last long: the brother, who had got a disease for a long
time, died shortly after. It was too painful for Fr. Sing to become like a neurotic. One day he
had an accident while riding a bicycle and broke his leg. He was immediately taken to an
American military hospital and had to stay there for a long period. Fr. Majcen was very
unhappy because of the accident and also because he lost a very great helper when he was
very busy.
Two confreres… coming from heaven
That year Fr. Majcen received two heaven-sent missionaries, Fr. Pizzato and Fr. Szeliga.
They came from Namtung, of the Shiuchow diocese that was occupied by the Japanese.
Fearful for their lives, they fled. They had walked for many days through mountains and
forests and reached an American base that was about to withdraw before the invasion of the
Japanese. The American officers took them to Kunming by plane. As there were no suitable
jobs for them in the house, they began to serve in the American army as patrols of the
military posts and thus continued to earn their living.
20
|
|
3.9 Page 29 |
▲back to top |
CHAPTER 5: THE END OF WORLD WAR II
In 1945, the war ended. In Europe, the Allies attacked on all fronts. Mussolini was
executed. Hitler killed himself. August 5 marked the victory of the Allies’ armies in Europe.
Tito took this opportunity to hold power in Yugoslavia and many Yugoslavians fled to Italy
and Carinzia. These included also those guerrillas who had fought against the invaders but
did not follow Tito and might be killed by him. Doctor Janez was one among them.
Dr. Janez later came to China, in the Chaotong region, and now (1985) he still works
with the Camillian Fathers at a hospital in Taiwan.
The war had ended in Europe but there was no sign of its ending in Asia. The Americans
kept bombing the Japanese army, and finally two atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima
and Nagasaki on August 5 and 9 respectively, ending all Japanese resistance and the Japanese
Emperor eventually surrendered.
A theatre and St. John Bosco’s chapel
In 1944, all that remained of the old house collapsed in an earthquake. A decision was
made to build there a theatre with an upper floor for a chapel and other badly-needed rooms.
All the confreres decided to continue collecting money and got to work immediately. By
December 12 1945, when Bro. Rubini was called by the Provincial to go to Shanghai for his
theology studies, the construction had almost finished. When everything was complete, the
chapel was equipped with three altars, benches, the confessionals and all necessities. In spite
of the poverty of the school, we should never be thrifty with regard to the chapel.
The theatre was also completed well, and on the stage, various performance programs
were organized: artistic presentations, music and songs, and even small operas, etc…
An increase in personnel
The war ended, Fr. Provincial could now go to Kunming: he was very pleased to see the
school develop in spite of the war and the bombing devastation. He sent more confreres
including Fr. Francis Hoang as catechist, and two clerics Gregory Py and Stanislas Pavlin. As
a local of Kunming, Bro. Py could easily communicate with his pupils, but his wisdom had
him insist on their speaking mandarin with standard Pekingese accent. As for Bro. Pavlin, he
showed great talent in music and pedagogy while he was learning to speak their dialect.
The mechanics shop
Fr. Majcen desired to open a mechanics shop in the school. To satisfy his desire, Fr.
Braga sent him a very smart lay brother, Bro. Francis Martinez. Although he had been used to
working in well equipped workshops, he knew how to adapt by starting with a small
workshop equipped with only one lathe and a few other tools. He immediately got some
pupils, and under his guidance, they quickly made remarkable progress. It is a pity that only
one year later, he was called back by Fr. Provincial and Bro. Marzari was sent to replace him.
This brother could not adapt himself to the existing workshop and thus a big machine
was bought, though with very much sacrifice. Unluckily Bro. Marzari was a type who
preferred traveling to teaching at workshop. He got acquaintance with the French consul and
regularly came to work at his house, where he could enjoy better meals than he could at
home. He left the workshop to the tutorship of a senior student who had learnt something
21
|
|
3.10 Page 30 |
▲back to top |
22 Chapter 5: The End of World War II
from Bro. Martinez and who could not teach much to his classmates. Consequently Fr. Rector
was very unhappy because the mechanics workshop could not develop as he wished.
The acting Rector became the full-fledged one
In the first visit of Father Provincial to Kunming after the war, Fr. Majcen told him that
he had been working as an acting Rector for 6 years already, so it was time the Provincial had
to appoint a new one to the house of Kunming. Fr. Braga smiled: “Be patient, dear Fr.
Majcen. Let’s forget everything during war time. Here we’ve had the Rector Major’s decree
nominating you a Rector for the three years 1946-1949.” Reluctantly Fr. Majcen had to
comply, and after the swearing- in, he continued to … toil!
The erection of Chinese ecclesiastical hierarchy
The Chinese hierarchy was erected by the Holy See in 1945, and Bishop Derouineau
became archbishop of Yunnan, with other leaders for the dioceses in the archdiocese
including Mgr. Magentis, Vicar Apostolic of Tali, Mgr. Kerec, Administrator of Chaotong.
The event was solemnly celebrated in Kunming with a high Mass with the cooperation of the
Salesian choir, the Altar servers group and the seminarians. Of course there was a sumptuous
banquet with the presence of many priests and guests around the Archbishop as well as other
ecclesiastical leaders of other dioceses in the archdiocese.
General Liu Han’s separatist movement
Since long there had been disagreements between the Yunnam governor and the central
government, and eventually a revolt broke out. Within a few days the whole city was
paralyzed by the firing between the rebels and the loyalists. Finally the government’s
loyalists won. The governor was dismissed and replaced by general Liu Han, a member of the
Wuhien clan, the most populous of the region.
A cleric who fell from the air
One day a Belgian airplane suddenly landed at the Kunming airport for fuelling. On
board were some missionaries and sisters. The airplane was on its way to Shanghai. Among
the passengers there was a Belgian cleric. He was very happy to pass some days in our house.
Unluckily when the airplane started to resume its flight, it lost altitude and fell on an old
cemetery near the airport.
In the crash, the plane was broken into pieces, the pilot was killed, some passengers were
hurt and the cleric named Timmermans was safe but very frightened. Fr. Majcen, who had
accompanied him to the airport, brought him back to our house where he soon recovered
from his shock. A few days later he could take another plane to continue his travel to
Shanghai.
Attending the Provincial Chapter in Shanghai
Fr. Braga held a Provincial Chapter in Shanghai in 1947 with a view to update our
missionary work to adapt it to the new needs of the after-war. Fr. Majcen took a Chinese
Airlines flight on a military aircraft over Chungking and Hanchao to Shanghai in 7 flight
hours. In Shanghai he was warmly welcome by the Provincial and the confreres, of whom
several had been working with him in Kunming. Among other things, he had to report on all
what had happened in Kunming and on how he had managed the tasks during the war. After
the Chapter, he and the confreres made a visit to Kukchow north of Nanking province and
22
|
|
4 Pages 31-40 |
▲back to top |
|
|
4.1 Page 31 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 5: The End of World War II 23
attended the inauguration of a school there. Being announced in advance, they arrived at the
railways station a few hours earlier and could get the tickets to depart.
On their arrival in Kukchow, they were welcome by the school Rector, Fr. Ferrari, and
Fr. Majcen was very happy to see again Fr. Li, a confrere belonging to the Miao clan from
Yunnan. In the evening, he was invited to give a goodnight talk and everybody admired his
mandarin with a Yunnan accent. The Chapter members were happy to be in the Shrine of Our
Lady at Toxa and attend the ceremony glorifying Our Mary Help of Christians, Queen of
China. A day as wonderful as in heaven! Our Lady was solemnly crowned Queen by Bishop
Wang Uan Sach of Shanghai and by Bishop Yuen Peng of Manshin, in the presence of
Bishop Riberi, Apostolic Nuncio, together with the clergy and laity. Almost all had a
supernatural impression of the presence of Jesus and Mary as an assurance of their divine
protection over the people.
When everything was over, Fr. Majcen was about to leave when his departure was
delayed because of an incident at the check-out: His passport was still signed by King Peter
of Yugoslavia and he had come to Shanghai without the government’s permission! That was
why he had to overstay for a few days in Shanghai and had an occasion to visit the Don
Bosco school in Jiangsu, the agriculture school in Sinjiang, and the initial work in Quabei. In
Shanghai he also visited the Salesian publications that were publishing all over China
catechism books, sacred histories, interesting readings for the young and educational plays.
These plays were later adapted by the cleric Gregorio Py and were performed at the new
theatre in Kunming. It was in this theatre that with the trio Fernandez, Pavlin and Py, these
plays and other smaller were presented very successfully.
Those were among his achievements in Shanghai during that remarkable trip. With the
help of the clerics, the religious movement of the Salesian associations and catechesis
developed. The catechism course was solemnly concluded by the annual catechetical
examination which Mgr. Derouineau was very eager to attend. Evidence of the fruits of these
activities was the baptisms of a number of children. Although many children asked to be
baptized, baptism was only administered to those children who had the consent of their
parents and who were likely to persevere. Some vocations would also come from these
children: some would be sent to the aspirantate in Macao, and though not all would become
Salesians, nevertheless all would be successful in other paths of life.
Bishop Derouineau offered us the French Club
Tthere was a tall building behind our school with lovely places and a skating rink. It was a
club for the gatherings and feasts of groups of French people who formerly had been in great
number in Kunming but were currently leaving one after the other: the French bank closed it
branches, the Calmet hospital was handed over to the university, and the railways system was
nationalized. When the French residents disappeared, the club no longer had its raison d’être.
Because Mgr. Derouineau was its owner, he offered it to the Salesians. Having got this space,
Fr. Majcen all at once thought of developing our school by opening a secondary school. He
asked permission from the School Department to begin with the lowest class and would add a
new class each year until there were all the classes of the secondary school. After getting the
permission, he started to have the furniture made and enrolled teachers as well as prepared
the games for the new spacious court and the skating rink.
*The Camillians in Yunnan
As we have occasionally mentioned about the Camillians earlier, it seems fit here to say
a few words about their coming in China and their activities. During a trip to Rome in 1945,
|
|
4.2 Page 32 |
▲back to top |
24 Chapter 5: The End of World War II
Mgr. Kerec asked the Superior of the Camillians to send some of his members to come and
work in Chaotong Apostolic Vicariate. The first group included three priests who came to
China at Shanghai port, being unable to disembark at Hong Kong. They were received by Fr.
Braga and his Salesisians and were invited to stay for a few days. They then resumed their
trip and came to Kunming on May 19 1946 and were warmly received by Fr. Majcen and his
confreres.
After paying a visit to Mgr. Derouineau and the Catholic works in the city, they all at
once went to Chaotong. They arrived on July 18 and stayed in a small house provided by the
Slovenian Sisters who were working in the hospital. Together with the house, the Camillians
also accepted the care of an orchard and a dispensary. A second group included three priests
and three brothers who without delay came to Chaotong after their arrival in Kunming on
April 8 1947.
Mgr. Kerec entrusted them with the care for the southern area of the Apostolic Vicariate
including Dunhuang city and other population centers. After having temporarily been settled,
there came other Camillian nurses and a doctor named Dr. Fasana. In Dunhuang they soon
built a hospital with the good brothers Caon and Pavan as builders themselves because they
could not hire other capable builders, and by doing so they could save a lot of money and
also. In the meanwhile, Fr. Rizzi, Superior of the house, was aware of his need for a good
knowledge in Chinese language. He went to the Bejing School of language to learn while Fr.
Antonelli went to the Aurora Medical University of the Jesuits in Shanghai where he stayed
in our Salesian house. After finishing his studies, he worked first in Chaotong then after
many years, in Taiwan, where he was a Superior. In 1949, he also cared for the leprosarium
in Kunming.
The Camillians evangelized according to their charism, and they opened dispensaries
everywhere and opened even hospitals in bigger centers. Fr. Crotti invited Fr. Majcen to
preside over the inauguration of the hospital in Huatzi. He accepted the invitation because he
also wanted some days of rest due to great fatigue. In this new hospital, Fr. Majcen could see
the Camillian nurses teaching other nurses. Fr. Majcen later remarked that although he was
there chiefly for a physical rest, those days had brought him so much spiritual good. In those
days Fr. Pastro and Fr. Valdesolo heard of some satanic obsession phenomena at some places
in Dunhuang. Evil spirits often came at night to pester. The local Christians believed those
were the faithful souls who had once been killed by the Muslims and thrown into a well.
Dunhuang was and still is an important Muslim center. The priests tried a number of
exorcisms but unsuccessfully, and the troubles only stopped when Fr. Valdesolo hang blessed
medals of Our Lady on the door latches. The spirits came for the last time, but when they saw
Our Lady’s images, they screamed and went off for good.
There are some other doctors serving in the missions in Chaotong too. One among them
was Dr. Fasana, a former guerrilla militant of general Pertini. He once was almost killed in a
quarrel with another guerrilla who was a fanatic Stalinist. But when the latter was about to
shoot him, he was quicker. After this incident he left Italy for a while to go to the Near East.
Dr. Fasana was never interested in learning Chinese, and this caused him to make a lot of
funny confusion. One day a patient came to him. He ordered the man to take off his shirt but
the man refused no matter how he insisted. And the quarrel kept going on until an interpreter
explained to him that it was not the man himself who was sick but his child at home.
Other doctors in Chaotong included Dr. Wong, Dr. Chang, and Dr. Janez.
Dr. Wong was a Chinese traditionalist physician who had fled from Singapore when this
island was invaded by the Japanese. He came to Kunming. He had recourse to Fr. Majcen’s
24
|
|
4.3 Page 33 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 5: The End of World War II 25
intervention and was recommended to Mgr. Kerec who admitted him and sent him to work in
the hospital of the Slovenian Sisters.
Dr. Chang was also a Chinese graduated in medicine from the Aurora Hospital in
Shanghai. He too had fled to Kunming and was recommended by Fr. Majcen to Mgr. Kerec
who admitted him. He learned catechism and was baptized in Chaotong, became a loyal and
fervent Christian even under the communist regime that had sent him to prison.
Dr. Janez was born in 1913 in Dolski, near Ljubljana. As a young man, he was very
pious and his mother thought he would become a priest, but he chose medicine instead. He
was educated in Ljubljana, Gratz, Vienna, and Zagabria and graduated in May 26 1937. After
the war ended, he was informed by a friend that he was in the list of those Tito wanted to
eliminate. He fled to Austria where he met other militants from Slovenia, Croatia and Serbia
who also were hunted as Tito’s enemies because they were not in the same boat with Tito.
Austria at that time was occupied by the British who sent them to a refugee camp. Not
wanting to harbor these unwanted refugees, the McMillan government and general Alexander
signed an agreement with Tito to hand them over. A first group of them was brought in a
train which the British said will take them to Italy. Dr. Janez was one among them and he
soon realized they were duped. When the train stopped on Yugoslav land, amidst the
confusion he escaped from his new master to hide in a corn field nearby. Only when the train
had resumed its journey did he go out and, avoiding the main road, he turned round and
found himself free now that he was already on Austrian land, and upon arriving in the camp
he revealed the trap the British had set for them. All the refugees therefore fled to the
mountains, and the British had to really take them to Italy.
They went on several trucks but they had one of them sit beside the driver with a
revolver in hand to avoid being duped for a second time. On his arrival in Italy, Dr. Janez
first lived in Rome then went to Argentina to work with Dr. Ladislao Lencek, a Lazarist
priest who from Argentina continued to help the Slovenian missionaries in the world.
Knowing from this priest doctor that Mgr. Kerec was looking for doctors for Chaotong, Janez
immediately went to China. He later reported that when he was nearly killed in the corn field,
he vowed that if God let him live, he would give all the rest of his life to the missions. He
went to Kunming on August 15 1948 and stayed with Fr. Majcen for several months and was
very helpful through his profession. Then he went to Chaotong on November 24 1948. Mgr.
Kerec was very happy to welcome him. He wanted to work immediately in the hospital of the
Slovenian missionary Sisters. At first his surgeon met with several difficulties due to the lack
of surgery tools, but after he received them from the American army, he could perform his
tasks more easily. Thus he remained in the hospital and tirelessly worked there as a surgeon
until he was expelled from China in 1952. He went to Hong Kong where he worked with the
Camillian fathers who too had been expelled from Chaotong. Then he went with these
Camillians to Taiwan where he continued to serve together with them.
The last school year of Salesian School in Kunming before the communist regime:
September 1948 to September 1949
A man of optimism, Fr. Braga provided the house with good confreres. He sent Fr.
Rubini who had just been ordained on August 1 1948. The newly ordained priest was happy
to be in Kunming again. Here, as an economer, he was a great helping hand to Fr. Majcen.
Another confrere, the cleric Joseph Ho, was a football star. He was a great gift for the house,
but he must be careful because of his ebullience. There was also Fr. Fernandez, a smart
sportsman and musician. Bro. Marongiu and the newly ordained Fr. Timmermans also were
very helpful. Then there was Fr. Petit, a somehow scrupulous assistant but a man of
|
|
4.4 Page 34 |
▲back to top |
26 Chapter 5: The End of World War II
punctuality. It was a pity he could not speak Chinese though he was sent there to hear
confession. And there were Fr. Hoang, catechist and teacher, and Fr. Sing who just got home
from the hospital after he had broken his leg in an accident. The two Saint-Sulpice Fathers of
the Grand Seminary, Fr. Stulz, its new Rector, and Fr. Bordanave, also came to help teaching
catechism to the school children.
Teachers of the secondary school were also carefully chosen to avoid political troubles.
The situation was more and more difficult: the inflation rise was devastating the
economy and the central government was threatened by the malicious communist
propaganda. Robbery, killing, and military desertion were commonplace. A great number of
foreigners and even missionaries who had fled to Kunming during war time now began to go
back to their country. Many wealthy Chinese sold their property out to move to safer places.
Fr. Majcen frequently consulted Mgr. Derouineau about the way to manage the issues
that changed day after day. On her part, the Superior of the girls’ school also came to Fr.
Majcen for taking common actions for both schools, and the Carmelite abbess also consulted
him on a weekly basis. Fr. Majcen was reconfirmed as confessor for the Carmelite Sisters.
Bro. Meolic had several quarrels with the secondary students and Fr. Majcen once again
had to appease the students, teachers and even Bro. Meolic.
Students from other secondary schools fled to the mountains to join the guerrillas and
learn communist doctrine with a hope to get a “status” in the new regime. On the contrary,
our students were more at peace: our school was well organized, and some officials sent their
children to our school and even commanded them to attend catechism classes which were
zealously taught by Fr. Majcen with the use of the religious filmstrips bought by Fr.
Bordeneve and occasionally also some comics to cheer them. The successful catechism
classes attracted the students’ interest to know Catholicism, a religion that was called by
many Fr. Majcen’s religion!
Chinese priests showed an indifferent attitude towards the Bishop and began to be
contaminated by the independent spirit of a separatist church.
In the schools, the communist propaganda helped to create disorder and police
suppression still aggravated the situation. The governor was in no way concerned in all this
because he had made up his mind to change side.
A great number of soldiers deserted and joined the guerrillas, but those who were caught
were shot at once. The famous VIII Corps proved to be loyal and determined to protect
Kunming to the end, but then…
In spite of his hard obligations, Fr. Majcen occasionally came to visit Kunming
leprosarium and accepted Fr. Valdeslao’s invitation to hear confession to the poor inmates.
He remembered a girl who, once a zealous communist party member, got leprosy but strongly
affected by Christian charity, demanded and was admitted to baptism.
An extraordinary visit of Fr. Bellido
That year Fr. Modesto Bellido came to Kunming in an extraordinary canonical visit. He
was very impressed by the fact that our school was respected both by the State and the
Ordinary. We had masses in Latin, had a brass band, organized excursions into the forests,
held catechism classes and had catechumens’ groups. On Don Bosco’s feast, Fr. Bellido had
the joy to administer baptism to a number of children. Among them there was an orphan
26
|
|
4.5 Page 35 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 5: The End of World War II 27
whom he gave the Christian name Modesto—the same as his—and another younger boy
whom he gave the name Savio.
From Chaotong Monsignor Kerec also came to Kunming on this occasion to place his
grievance about the amount of money he could not receive. This is a long story which will be
briefly reviewed here.
The Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith through the Apostolic Nuncio
had sent the annual subsidies for Chaotong, and the nuncio handed them to the Salesians who
would transfer them to the due destinations.
This transfer was neither easy nor safe, and thus the money could not be transferred right
away. Since Mgr. Kerek was notified that the money had been sent, he was impatient because
of the delay. Then there was the money exchange issue. It was not known on what basis Mgr.
Kerec counted so high the exchange rate that the Provincial economer could not accept it.
After Fr. Bellido’s visit, the economer transferred 8,000 US$ to Mgr. Kerec’s account in the
bank, leaving him to deal with it himself.
The confreres in crisis
Bro. Oravec had some serious doubts about his vocation, while Bro. Meolic was scared
of the communist impending coming. Both asked to go to Macao for consultation with the
visiting Superior and for a retreat. After that, they asked to leave the Congregation, got the
dispensation of the vows and went back to their own countries: Bro. Ovarec to Slovakia and
Bro. Meolic to Yugoslavia. To fill in their posts, Fr. Majcen had to rely on his two past pupils
who had completed their professional training in Macao and Kunming.
Fr. Provincial’s visit
That year, Fr. Braga also made a visit, especially for a negotiation with Mgr. Kerec on
financial issues. He went by a car reserved for him to Chaotong where he discussed important
problems and tried his best to solve those involving Mgr. Kerec and finally came home
satisfied.
The last feast of Mary Help of Christians
The feast was very solemnly celebrated in the former French club, with a Mass and a
Eucharistic procession presided over by Mgr. Derouineau. In the entertainment program,
however, Fr. Majcen was annoyed when listening to a song with very negative words but it
was very popular with the communist youth of those days. Such incident made Fr. Majcen
more and more vigilant, because it could lead to the closure of the school. Fortunately the
communist members began to leave the school, freeing Fr. Majcen from possible troubles.
A trip to Hong Kong
The situation everywhere were more and more serious, prompting the Provincial to call
Fr. Majcen to Hong Kong for a consultation. Fr. Majcen moreover wanted to go to Hong
Kong where he could find materials for his workshops. In Hong Kong, he was reaffirmed as
Rector of Kunming, but during his trip he was robbed of his purse and passport although he
had been very careful before departure. Fortunately, thanks to the Apostolic nuncio in Hong
Kong, he was at once granted a Vatican passport and thus could embark a French vessel for
Hải Phòng where he boarded a small aircraft and flied to Kunming as he did in the past.
In those days he and his confreres were kept a close watch on. Some teachers who were
identified as Kuomintang members left the school to find safer places.
|
|
4.6 Page 36 |
▲back to top |
28 Chapter 5: The End of World War II
The school was opened again, but students were still few. Nothing was sure in those days
when people later knew that the governor Liu Han and general An had secretly prepared to go
with the Red Army.
28
|
|
4.7 Page 37 |
▲back to top |
CHAPTER 6: UNDER THE CHINESE COMMUNIST REGIME
(1949-1951)
Fr. Majcen was Rector for one year under the Chinese communist regime (September 1949 to
September 1950)
Governor Liu Han against Chiang’s government
After secret preparations, the governor Liu Han and General An rose up against the
central government and declared the communist regime. The VIII Corps also followed the
communists, except some separatists who managed to reach Taiwan by several routes.
At that time Mgr. Reberi recommended his priests to remain in their posts and tried their
best to adapt to the new regime with a view to saving what can be saved. Schools were
reopened and while the postal service was still in place with Hong Kong, Fr. Majcen began
sending there all the school’s documents and Dr. Janez also took this opportunity to send all
his valuable medicine books to Bro. Mirzel at Aberdeen School in Hong Kong.
Writing to Fr. Majcen, Fr. Braga exhorted him to continue his work in the school, but to
be humble and avoid all appearance of a superior. Though optimistic, Fr. Braga nevertheless
thought it was not easy to deal with the communists even by being sensible, wise and
considerate.
In those days there was a general who had once rebelled against the central government
and who organized the guerrillas in Yunnan. He led his soldiers to Kunming and paraded in
the streets, equipped with old weapons. He was expecting the people to cheer and acclaim
them but people were only silently looking on their parade. Then the “true” communists
began to purge the opportunists.
One day an aircraft suddenly entered the city. Fr. Petit who was assisting the pupils saw
it, cried in alarm and immediately rushed with his pupils into a classroom. A while later Fr.
Majcen heard the whizzes of bullets; he at once lay close to the ground next to the wall of the
printing shop. After the attack was over, he discovered a bullet on the ground and a plaster
block fallen from a pillar nearby. He thanked God for his protection: had he not lain down to
the ground, the bullet would have killed him!
Even in Chaotong, general An declared the People’s Republic, and the people were
trying to adapt without knowing how to do. Mgr. Kerec, who had been living in Tito’s
country, tried to explain to them what he himself might not know, while Dr. Janez, who fully
knew Tito’s affairs and the real face of the communists, was reticent and continued helping
the poor instead.
Replacement of principals one after another
In the school, the good principal Leung had been dismissed for some time and was
replaced by Mr. An. And again this principal, by disagreement with the teachers, also
resigned and Fr. Majcen replaced him by another also called Leung. This Mr. Leung was
baptized but was almost ignorant about religion.
People were anxious and fearful waiting for the coming of the communists. The
opportunists were ready to welcome the triumphant soldiers: they cheerfully went in crowds
29
|
|
4.8 Page 38 |
▲back to top |
30 Chapter 6: Under the Chinese Communist Regime (1949-51)
in the streets and prepared the flags of the new regime to decorate the city for the coming of
the liberation army. In those days, our pupils also had to do these things. Many believed that
with their coming, the situation would be better in place, but Fr. Majcen was not so
optimistic. Well aware of the revengeful actions of the communists both in Yugoslavia and in
China, he was reticent and prepared. He asked his confreres to be cautious, avoiding all
words or anything else that could make a pretext and be seen as a provocation.
The coming of the liberation army
After so much expectation, the communist army finally came to Kunming and paraded in
the streets. A squad paved the way for the parade, always ready to suppress any opposition
intentions. Then came the army, arranged in twelve columns, each group to be led by an
official on horseback.
They paraded for hours and hours. One army wing advanced toward the government’s
Palace where the interim government were awaiting them, while the other wing went through
the city and left it to go in the direction of Burma and took control of the rest of Yunnan
province.
The beginning of the new regime
The government at once ordered the schools to reopen. Newspapers were printed in
simple and popular language. The regime’s newspapers did not aim at publishing the news
but were intended as propaganda means to bring political instructions to the people according
to the dogmas and teachings of President Mao.
Visits
On the occasion of New Year, a State official came to visit Fr. Majcen. Fr. Majcen
offered him tea and the two men had a friendly conversation. The official regarded (or
feigned to regard) Fr. Majcen as Tito’s friend. He said: “We communists know your good
deeds, and we admire you, Mr. Majcen. We know Don Bosco was a great educator of the
young, and we have to learn from him. But Mao Zedong is also great, you have to learn from
him.”
On another visit, State officials also said: “Dear Mr. Majcen, you are the highest
authority in the school board. You therefore are responsible for the good running of the
school. What we expect from you is to continue doing as you have been doing so far for the
honor of the school. From our part, we will help you.” Thus Fr. Majcen continued to enroll
the students and collect the school fees, although no few teachers wanted money should go
into their hands.
A reforestation competitive campaign
The communists continued to spread the belief that forests had been made thinner
because the old regime did not take care of them. Now every student must go to the hills to
sow pine seeds and water them.
A sanitation competitive campaign
Sewers must be cleaned, insects must be killed. Our students at once responded, cleaning
the school and the neighborhood.
30
|
|
4.9 Page 39 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 6: Under the Chinese Communist Regime (1949-51) 31
An Anti-opium campaign
Opium taking was very popular. Opium takers who were caught were put to jail. In those
days many opium takers committed suicide. Many killed themselves before being caught,
knowing that once in jail and without opium, they would die very painfully. It happened that
a woman entered a secondary school without permission, then accused the students to steal
her money. Her intention was to blackmail. The police kept her there until the next afternoon.
She had been used to opium and was addicted. She began tossing and twisting. When the
police officer came and saw her pale face, he understood. He then lectured her about the evil
of using opium. And the story ended.
Brainwashing
Every day from 7.00 a.m. to 7.30 a.m. there was an ‘inculcation class’ for the teachers.
Fr. Majcen had to attend too. They lectured on Darwinism, then made investigations and
other things. Those were inacceptable to Fr. Majcen, but speaking against them was
dangerous, and so it was wiser to keep silent. Once they spoke about freedom, and Fr. Majcen
spoke out the Church’s teaching on this matter. His words had good effect and from then on
he was exempt from attending such classes.
The students had to attend too. Before entering the class, they had to read newspapers to
study communism. They had to detect enemies among the people to denounce the
reactionists, fascists and imperialists, even Salesians. As they did not know “who were the
imperialists”, the lecturers reprimanded them that “Westerners taught you to become blind,
and you do not want to open your eyes!” Those were the measures used by them to terrorize
the missionaries, whether they be Catholics or Protestants. They stirred up the faithful to
denounce their pastors. In those days the press also had poisoning articles against the French
and British, considering them as the imperialists who were guilty of taking opium to China.
The crimes of the wealthy
All people who were known for their wealth were considered exploiters of the people,
and for reparation they must open their purse to give big sums of money to help the flood
victims of North China, as it was said. In the meanwhile there was also a campaign to draw
money from the rich in order to help the victims of the South.
The people were called to voluntarily give rice to support the liberation army. Fr. Majcen
was also notified to give his contribution. He solemnly made this contribution with the
accompaniment of a brass band.
Gathering the people for inculcation
One day many poor people, porters, briefly all the lowest class of the people were
gathered on the school yard. After some gongs were struck, people began to raise questions
without understanding anything: some simply asked where they could eat, others where they
could take opium, etc… until the “cadres-comrades” shouted: “Now you should only listen
and obey, and not demand anything else!”
Volunteering to go to Korea
In Korea, the Chinese fought against the Americans and in China, they enrolled
volunteers. Soldiers of III Corps then volunteered (sic!) to go to Korea and thus they were
forgiven their crimes against the people when they served the old regime. They departed with
garlands round their necks, amidst acclamations and patriotic songs. We know these guys
were sent to atrocious battle fronts, without a weapon in hands, to fight against determined
|
|
4.10 Page 40 |
▲back to top |
32 Chapter 6: Under the Chinese Communist Regime (1949-51)
armies armed to the teeth. Once they heard of their victorious deaths, the government
organized solemn commemoration ceremonies for them, accompanied by meetings in which
our school brass band also took part.
In the new regime, beggars no longer existed in China
That was the affirmation on the press, and this became true. Fr. Majcen told this episode
as he had witnessed. One day he saw beggars with bound hands were led in lines by the
soldiers. It was known that they were being led to a public execution place where each digged
a hole for oneself, received a bullet in the head and was buried there.
Fr. Majcen was kept a close watch
Fr. Majcen continued to take charge of the school and thus was responsible for the
behavior of his Salesians. Some students were assigned to keep watch on the Salesians. Fr.
Rubini was the most spied on, because he was very strict and demanding in the school. Once
he even rebuked a teacher for breaking a door lock to get in a room that needed Fr. Majcen’s
permission to enter. Fr. Wong also was spied on because he was strong in philosophizing,
often pushing his interlocutors into an impasse. He thought that being a Chinese he could
speak freely because the government had declared freedom of speech. But he never
understood the communist meaning of freedom which somebody has while others don’t.
The confessions and the people’s court
In those days many were imprisoned and were ordered to write down confessions,
including their past crimes and immoralities. They were told that if they were sincere, they
would receive indulgence from Mao President! In fact, these confessions were intended to
accuse people and identify “crimes” to justify the trial procedures of the people’s court.
These shameful procedures aimed at two things: to repress the people’s spirit and in the
meanwhile to get rid of enemies or those regarded as enemies of the new regime. A formal
trial of the people’s court invariably proceeds as follows: the persons accused as people
exploiters—whether guilty or not—have to kneel down, often on stones or broken terra cotta
pieces, before a crowd where they have to listen to the accusations without being able to
protest and receive insults and even blows on their face. Finally “the people” shout, cry for a
sentence. All have been prepared in advance and the miserable is convicted and then sent to a
shooting execution.
Once, in one of the trials of this kind, there were 40 people convicted. While they were
marching to the execution ground, one of them (probably a Catholic) when passing by the
cathedral saw a missionary, and this priest secretly gave him absolution.
A trial against our school
On May 13, Fr. Majcen, who now was no longer able to take control of our school
situation, saw people carrying benches from the classes to the yard, and understood that they
were preparing for a meeting where students of other schools were also invited. In the
meanwhile the secretary of the school committee approached Fr. Majcen to tell him about an
important matter. He said: “Europeans are our friends, but not all of them, because some by
their behavior have proved to be ‘fascists’, including Mr. Rubini and Mr. Rojak. If they
sincerely acknowledge their faults before the crowd, they will receive indulgence; otherwise
they will be put to prison and even worse. So, Fr. Majcen, as their superior, try to persuade
them to admit their faults to avoid bad consequences.” Fr. Majcen immediately told them
about this reality, but the two confreres at first did not want to understand, especially Fr.
32
|
|
5 Pages 41-50 |
▲back to top |
|
|
5.1 Page 41 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 6: Under the Chinese Communist Regime (1949-51) 33
Rubini who said that all their accusations were wrong, all was a sham only. But Fr. Majcen
patiently insisted: “Of course it was all sham, but you need only an apology to avoid worst
consequences.” In the meanwhile they were called to go to the place prepared for them on the
yard. Fr. Majcen stood in between them, one on his right and the other on his left. Then came
the secretary of the school committee, and the students of other schools began to shout
against “the fascists”. The secretary started to read the accusations: the ‘rascal’ Rubini was
accused to have said that the Chinese were thiefs (in fact he only said that the teacher who
broke the lock to enter the room without Fr. Majcen’s permission might be considered a
thief): “He has insulted 600 million Chinese so he deserves a death sentence 600 million
times!” As for Bro. Rojak, they accused him for spitting at the girls (actually this confrere
had the bad habit of spitting anywhere, and probably he had unknowingly spat when the
school girls were passing by). “Spitting at the Chinese, this rascal deserves death too.”
Fr. Rubini was indignant at the accusations, but Fr. Majcen suggested: Go and kneel
down slowly, mumbling an apology and then everything is over! Fr. Rubini reluctantly
complied and Bro. Rojak also took off his hat and bowed round. The show was over, but not
its consequences. The committee’s secretary approached Fr. Majcen and said: “The two
rascals Rubini and Rojak have admitted their sins and so President Mao Zedong generously
forgives them. But they had better leave the school.” Therefore the two ‘fascists’ went to stay
near the Cathedral and from there, a few weeks later and together with Fr. Timmermans, they
left Kunming for Hong Kong, where Fr. Braga called them to.
|
|
5.2 Page 42 |
▲back to top |
CHAPTER 7: THE SCHOOL CONFISCATED,
FR. MAJCEN CAME TO HONG KONG — MACAO
Gradual changes in our school
A few months earlier, the principal introduced to Fr. Majcen the new secretary of the
school committee as “the man to put our school on right track”. To a man so high in
authority, the principal afterward came to ask for a rise in his salary.
The secretary started to set up unions of teachers, of students and of servants. Being a
European, Fr. Majcen had no right to vote or be elected. The Chinese elected were merely
those who were not involved in his authority in the school and they were elected only to
make money for the school and to watch over the “fascist members” and prevent these from
disturbing the smooth running of the school.
When money was exhausted, the principal, Mr. Ling, came to Fr. Majcen suggesting him
to sell out the printing machines that had been inactive for a long time and that were having a
good price. Fr. Majcen agreed but wanted that the contract be signed by the principal and not
by him. He wanted to avoid being alleged as abusing his power to disperse State property.
One day Fr. Majcen was informed that in an unannounced inspection in the house of the
MEP, the police found American flags and weapons. Evidently those had been introduced by
the police usual tricks. Consequently most of the MEP Fathers were isolated in the bishop’s
office. They were kept sitting in a room, could not talk to one another, and could not talk with
Fr. Bohenen who brought them meals three times a day. After a few months they were sent
back to Hong Kong.
Once general An secretly came to Fr. Majcen saying his life could be endangered
because he had rebelled against Chiang Kai-shek. He was actually aware that all the
opportunists were eliminated one after another. He therefore begged Fr. Majcen to write a
recommendation letter for him to secretly escape to Macao. Of course Fr. Majcen could not
do that since it could involve the Salesians. He could only pray for him when he knew that
the general was watched very closely and could no longer escape. Even governor Liu Han
had to hide in the dark, for how long even Fr. Majcen could not know. When summer came,
all the boarders had to go to their home; nevertheless, the school was never vacant because
the students came there everyday to take the intensive courses on (communist) thoughts.
One day a teacher of the secondary school came to Fr. Majcen and informed him that the
school board had decided to use the chapel for a meeting hall, because the law no longer
permitted religious rites to be performed in the school. The Salesians could say their masses
in their private rooms or in the cathedral. Fr. Majcen came to Mgr. Derouineau for advice.
The bishop suggested to comply to them, because all protests were useless. Thus Fr. Majcen
ordered to move the tabernacle, the altar, the statues and images, the confessionals and prie-
dieux out of the chapel to deliver the place. Crosses and other religious icons in the chapel
were to be erased too. And even Don Bosco’s name should be erased because now ‘the name
of Mao Zedong stands out everywhere”. Of all that belonged to the chapel, Fr. Majcen had a
part transported to the cathedral, another to the city’s parish. The last feast to be celebrated
was the Assumption of Our Lady in 1952.
34
|
|
5.3 Page 43 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 7: The School confiscated, Fr. Majcen came to Hong Kong - Macao 35
All the news was notified to Fr. Braga. He telegraphed to Fr. Majcen telling him to
immediately nominate Fr. Sing as Rector in his stead. Fr. Majcen summoned the confreres
and announced the Provincial’s decision. He thanked all the confreres for their cooperation.
He handed everything over to the new Rector and then invited the confreres and the teachers
to have a snack in the Salesians’ refectory. All came except the secretary. Fr. Majcen spoke
to them and said he was happy to hand the direction over to a Chinese appointed by Fr.
Braga. He thanked everybody and recommended them to obey Fr. Sing. His words were
received with an icy silence, without a single acclamation.
The next day Fr. Sing asked Fr. Majcen to hand the rector’s office over to him. Fr.
Majcen willingly did it. He moved to the upper floor and stayed in the room reserved for
Mgr. Kerec.
Fr. Sing was pleased with his post. He had cigarettes and candies ready in his office,
waiting for people to come and ask for his advice as Fr. Majcen used to do. But days after
days, no one came to see him. It seemed he was completely forgotten. In the meanwhile the
principal occasionally came to see Fr. Majcen and ask for advice.
Thus ended the rectorship of Fr. Majcen in Kunming. The school secretary, who never
showed himself before Fr. Majcen, took to himself all the powers of Fr. Majcen, including
the financial one. Thus the school went on, actually run by the teachers only.
Fr. Majcen’s life after leaving the school’s rectorship
After the school secretary took over all Fr. Majcen’s powers, Fr. Sing being the Salesian
rector was nevertheless a mere teacher in reality.
The school’s running from now on depended entirely on the teachers: the Salesian
confreres, Fr. Fernandez, the cleric Ho and other priests.
Fr. Sing and Fr. Wong were under the principal Ling who decided on the running of the
house: they received their salaries for their English and music teaching. Bro. Marongiu went
on with his selling stationery and collecting school fees. Fr. Sing was in charge of the
vocational school as long as it existed. The teachers included Bro. Yip for printing and two
past pupils for shoemaking and carpentry.
The Salesian community had a separate block: the rooms, the workshops, the storehouse,
the sacristy used for chapel, the infirmary, a meeting room, a refectory and kitchen. Thus the
confreres could still have the practices of piety in common. A good Shanghaiese woman
named Mrs. Chan daily brought special meals to Fr. Wong who was sick, and stealthily took
things out of the storehouse and sold them to have money for the necessities of the Salesians.
Stopping a plot
One day a good boy secretly came to Fr. Majcen and disclosed to him that in one
meeting the students had decided to send a student of the previous year to Fr. Majcen to ask
him to give back the books and the watch that he (said) had entrusted to him for safekeeping.
The informer said this was staged to make Fr. Majcen lose his temper and make trouble. He
therefore recommend Fr. Majcen to keep calm. In fact, the malicious student did come and
was warmly received as a good friend by Fr. Majcen: that made him shocked. And instead of
talking haughtily with Fr. Majcen, he spoke very gently and retold him the whole story. Fr.
Majcen replied that he would inform Fr. Sing. Fr. Sing took this student to the dormitory and
Fr. Majcen did not know what happened next. In the meantime Fr. Majcen retreated to the
bishop’s office and thus the plot failed.
|
|
5.4 Page 44 |
▲back to top |
36 Chapter 7: The School confiscated, Fr. Majcen came to Hong Kong - Macao
Fr. Majcen became a Russian teacher
One day some teachers from Au Ming School came to see Fr. Majcen. Seeing on his
desk a big Russian dictionary and a grammar book, they asked what characters and what
language these were. Fr. Majcen explained it was Cyrillic characters, because created by St.
Cyril. But they were not interested in this. They were only interested in the Russian (written
by Cyrillic alphabets). So they chose passim in the dictionary and asked Fr. Majcen to read
for them. He was fond of the Cyrillic because this alphabet was also used in Yugoslavia to
write Slavic language. He read them correctly while explaining them. The teachers discussed
among themselves and a few days later Fr. Majcen received a letter appointing him as a
Russian teacher at Au Ming School. Coming there on scheduled date, Fr. Majcen saw a
thousand students wanting to learn this language. He never expected such a multitude, he
went up the platform but ventured to teach just a few Russian sentences. Then he told the
principal the students were too great in number and suggested him to choose from among
them a limited number of clever students who would take along notebooks and pen so that he
can teach them speak and write Russian. A salary was then fixed for him, a good sum he
regularly got each month. After a few months, there was a meeting of the students to assess
this teaching, and then the principal notified Fr. Majcen of the result of the meeting. He said:
“Dear Mr. Majcen, you are very good at Russian, but my students remarked that you spoke to
fast!” It was Bishop Riberi who told the missionaries to try all means to not abandon their
posts, Fr. Majcen therefore also make use of the Russian teaching to be able to stay in
Kunming as long as possible.
A documents’ loss
One day an official came to ask Fr. Majcen for the documents relating to the land, the
construction permission and other permissions for the elementary, secondary and vocational
schools (they said they would copy them) which would be returned to him. But days and days
passed, and Fr. Majcen also did not get any receipts on this borrowing because “it is not
necessary for the government!), but he thought it necessary to have his papers back. He
therefore sent a friend of his to take them back, but the official, in spite of all his promises in
the sky, answered that the papers were currently at the department chief who, “like God, is
everywhere but cannot be seen when one has to look for him!!!” Fr. Majcen therefore
understood that he would never get them back.
The death of Monsignor Vicar General
That year Mgr. Michel died. In the previous years, he regularly came to visit Fr. Majcen
and through their conversations he helped Fr. Majcen improve the French language he had
known a bit for the missions. After a solemn funeral ceremony, Mgr. Michel was buried in
the Pelonang Small Seminary. This seminary was later taken by the government and became
a workshop, like the Salesian school in Ljubljana. Mgr. Michel was one of the ancient
missionaries in China, dating to the times of the emperors, and at that time he still wore
mandarin costume, with tailed cap in the Chinese fashion!
An interrogation
And then all foreigners, especially the missionaries, were convoked for a special
interrogation. Among them were some MEP Fathers and the Salesians, Fr. Fernandez and
Bro. Marongiu. And finally Fr. Majcen was convoked too. The chief police was assisted by a
secretary. This man kept writing the questions and answers on the minutes. They asked him
about his parents, date and place of birth, his studies, his friends and his resources. Then
36
|
|
5.5 Page 45 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 7: The School confiscated, Fr. Majcen came to Hong Kong - Macao 37
about his sisters, where and how they lived, their property and assets, etc… The chief police
even wanted to know the exact surface of his sister’s vineyard. Fr. Majcen replied he did not
know because he never saw it, but as the police insisted, he finally answered that it was about
2 or 3 ha. He was reproached as insincere and even threatened every time he answered
inaccurately. Both Fr. Fernandez and Bro. Marongiu alike were reprimanded in such
interrogations. This kind of harassment in the interrogations was to intimidate and punish all
the individuals the communists wanted to get rid of. Because of this and other instances in
everyday life, Fr. Majcen had to live in the fear of being brought to trial after his confessions.
Mgr. Kerec could not return to Chaotong
After his visit to the part of the Apostolic Vicariate entrusted to the Camillians, Mgr.
Kerec went to Kunming and came to the bishop’s office for a rest. He intended to return to
Chaotong after the Conference of the Yunnan Ordinaries, but he was not allowed to return
and had to guide his Apostolic Vicariate through his correspondence to the Camillians, to Dr.
Janez and the Sisters… He also wrote letters to Fr. Braga to notify him of the situation, and
this correspondence would help the author to write down his biography.
Incidents with the Sisters
As a confessor, every week Fr. Majcen continued to go to different convents, and he
evidently realized that the communists were having ann anti-religious campaign everywhere.
The Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres who ran a school and an orphanage had to suffer a great
deal because their pupils, infected by the new regime’s ideas, rebelled against the Sisters,
especially the French Sisters, and accused the Sisters of not giving them freedom and even
killing a great number of infants. In China there was a campaign against the orphanages and
centers for abandoned children called “Infant Jesus Center”. Not only the girls but some ex-
religious women also were contaminated by the false doctrine in this anti-religious campaign.
The Sisters in Kunming were ready to leave China step by step; but some decided to stay in
the hope of still being able to do some good to the sick and sufferers.
The police harassment
Not only foreigners but poor people also were unreasonably harassed by the police. Once
a woman went into the city to sell eggs. She was pushed down by a rascal. When she called a
policeman, he came, looked around and pronounced a wise judgment… in a Solomon’s style
(sic): “You are really rich: you have ear rings and gold bracelet; so you have to give this
miserable boy your bracelet!” Thus the rascal got a gold bracelet while the poor woman both
lost his property and was ridiculed!
Dangerous even on the road
Fr. Majcen occasionally came to the bishop’s office to visit and comfort Mgr. Kerec who
wanted to show off his courage but in fact were always afraid and anxious whenever he heard
something about the foreigners. Once Fr. Majcen accompanied him to a leprosarium to
preach and hear confession. On the way, Fr. Majcen showed him the place where a girl had
taken a gun near an ex-general and playfully pointed at him to frighten him; but the shot
actually touched him and gave him a coup de grâce. While they were talking about the
situation, a 10-year-old boy pointed his gun at them and ordered them to go away. Mgr.
Kerec complied at once and Mgr. Kerec later admitted that with a fool one could not argue at
all and once could be killed without any reason!
|
|
5.6 Page 46 |
▲back to top |
38 Chapter 7: The School confiscated, Fr. Majcen came to Hong Kong - Macao
In another instance, while going through a small road leading to a well, Mgr. Kerec
approached to see whether there was water in it. Fr. Majcen warned him to be careful because
previously when a Protestant pastor passing by had just looked at the well and was accused of
throwing the poison into the well and then was arrested and imprisoned for several months.
Mgr. Kerec immediately rushed off in order not to be seen!
Now it became clear that the communists wanted to harass and as far as possible harm
the foreigners, especially the missionaries to stir them up against the regime. Another fact
convinced Fr. Majcen of this. Once on his way, a rascal disguised himself as a beggar
approached him to ask for alms. When Fr. Majcen gave him the little money he had in his
pocket, the rascal at once threw his bowl to the ground, broke it and loudly protested that
“this white demon” did not give him a good sum. Not being able to justify himself, Fr.
Majcen hurried into a small road to get rid of him. He knew that if the police saw this, they
would probably say that the beggar was right and as a consequence he had to compensate for
at least 50 times the worth of the broken bowl.
Around March or April that year, there was a demonstration in which everybody must
take part, including the priests and religious sisters. Leading the demonstration was the
liberation army, then the people’s representatives, and lastly the prostitutes and the priests to
show that they were the true image of the people. In those days there were on the press
countless accusations against the Catholic priests, and because everybody must read the
papers, many eventually believed in the truthfulness of the press, and chiefly because nobody
was allowed to say anything against it. Nevertheless among the school’s students and
teachers many were very kind toward Fr. Majcen and they did not want others to speak ill of
him, for fear of the school’s prestige damage.
One night at 10 o’clock, a student came to Fr. Majcen telling him that in a meeting it was
decided that Fr. Wang must get a death sentence because in an argument against the
communists he had spoken too strongly. Fr. Majcen was unable to sleep that night.
Afterward, to prevent any harm that could be done to Fr. Majcen, a group of guards was
placed before his room door. But the boys who kept guard were so noisy that he could not
sleep at all.
One day the principal Ling shared with him a mournful news that his father had killed
himself for fear of being put in prison or vexed by opium addiction. In those days not few
people of high status took their own lives. And Fr. Majcen from his part shared with the
principal that he could not sleep because of the noise of the guardian boys. The principal
suggested him to go and sleep at the bishop’s office where it was quieter. With the teachers’
permission and the bishop’s consent, he moved all his belongings to the bishop’s office,
without forgetting to let the guardian boy check his belongings first to be sure he did not take
the State property: it was true to say that all the school property was the State property!
Bishop Derouineau gave him the room next to Mgr. Kerec’s room. So from that day he
always had his meals with the Bishop and Mgr. Kerec and the Bishop never wanted him to
pay anything for board and lodging. From then on he would never go out of the bishop’s
office, exept when he had to go to teach Russian.
Mgr. Kerec got news from Chaotong that his two vicars, Fr. Chu and Fr. Wang, had been
arrested, shackled, accused for many things and badly treated. Being very sick and having to
go a long way without food, they died before arriving at the prison. That was a terrible news
for the poor Mgr. Kerec.
Fr. Majcen reported on his situation to Fr. Braga who, by a telegram, ordered him to
leave for Hong Kong. Fr. Majcen therefore went to the police saying that he had to depart at
38
|
|
5.7 Page 47 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 7: The School confiscated, Fr. Majcen came to Hong Kong - Macao 39
once because he had received order from Fr. Braga, his superior. But the chief police said:
“Who is Mr. Braga? He doesn’t have any power to call you back, because Mao President
thinks of everything and he will say when you should go.” The police even made him know
that he himself is having a trial set up to judge Fr. Majcen’s crimes. Fr. Majcen later knew
that this police chief was actually not interested in this matter at all.
Because Fr. Majcen was not allowed to go, everybody from the Bishop downward
believed that the police were preparing a public trial against him as a representative of the
Salesian schools. This belief was strengthened by the fact that he was summoned again to be
inquired about his life, and this time the inquisitor was really terrible. Fr. Majcen quickly
showed himself at 8 a.m., according to the time specified, but he had to wait until 11 a.m. for
the interrogation to begin. They repeated all the questions of the previous interrogation, and if
his answer differed even a iota from the last interrogation, his inquisitor would lose his
temper (he was a fanatic university student). It made Fr. Majcen scared. The officer wanted to
know who were Fr. Majcen friends, old and actual ones, especially those in the Kuomingtang,
the school inspectors in those years, and from what merchants did he buy rice, and for what
did he spend the money he received from the Americans in the past twenty years. Of course
Fr. Majcen could not remember all those things, and whenever he said he did not know, he
made the judge completely indignant. Then the story about his sister’s vineyard was
reiterated, anh his inquisitor wanted to know its exact surface. To this question Fr. Majcen at
first said he did not know, then he accidentally said perhaps 4 or 5 ha. At this the inquisitor
bounced up shouting: “Lie, lie!” and went on with an endless argument against lying. Fr.
Majcen could not open his mouth any more. He had been standing too long, and without a
drop of water, he felt he would faint, and became as white as a wall. Even the girl secretary
felt very tired by the long interrogation; she said: “Enough, enough! Don’t you see he about
to faint?” The interrogator shouted at Fr. Majcen: “Get out of here!” Thus ended the
frightening interrogation. Fr. Majcen bowed to thank the secretary then staggered out with his
hands leaning on the wall to avoid falling. Luckily he found a jinricksha to take him home
half dead!
Knowing the conditions of Mgr. Kerec, of Fr. Majcen and of the Salesians in Kunming,
from Sun Choun region, the good Fr. Rizzi, Superior of the Camillians, wrote to Fr.
Valdesolo, Rector of the leprosarium near Kunming: “If the Salesians, our benefactors, need
money, please be generous with them, because with our hospital and leprosarium, we are able
to help them.” A few months later, the good Fr. Rizzi died of meningitis, and the Camillian
Sister Claudia died in the same way. In Chaotong Sister Schiler of the Yugoslavian
congregation also died of typhoid.
The Church situation became worse
Now almost all believed that sooner or later all the European missionaries, even bishops,
would be expelled after having undergone the trial, mistreatment and even the prison.
The Nuncio ordered all the Ordinaries to choose among their Chinese clergy the Vicars
for their dioceses, so that they would not be short of leaders.
Thus Bishop Derouineau chose Fr. Ho for this purpose, Mgr. Kerec chose Fr. Phan, a St-
Sulpice priest, and Bishop Arduino of Shiuchow summoned Fr. Wang, a Salesian, also for
this purpose. Fr. Wang was quite happy to be called, because, as he said, “When I made the
profession, I asked from God three favors: chastity, episcopate, and martyrdom.” He then
went to the police for permission to go, but he was answered that he must stay in Kunming.
In reality they were preparing to arrest him!
|
|
5.8 Page 48 |
▲back to top |
40 Chapter 7: The School confiscated, Fr. Majcen came to Hong Kong - Macao
Mgr. Kerec notified the Holy See (when communication was still in place) of his choice
of Fr. Phan as episcopal Vicar of Chaotong and this was approved by the Holy See on August
15; but because Fr. Phan belonged to another diocese (Guangdong), he could not come to
Chaotong, and so Chaotong became sede vacante.
In June and July the situation became calmer (the calm before the storm), but on June 21
Mgr. Kerec fell ill and Bro. Amici, a Camillian lay brother, daily went from the leprosarium
to the bishop’s office to take care of him, of course with the government permission.
Fr. Majcen’s last month of in Kunming: August 1951
We could still make our retreat together in the cathedral’s sacristy, but in secret: The
retreatants included Fr. Fernandez, Fr. Wang, Fr. Sing, the cleric Ho and the two lay brothers
Marongiu and Diep. Mgr. Kerec gave the conference and Fr. Majcen the meditations. In the
clear moonlight of one evening, Fr. Majcen, Fr. Sing, Fr. Wang and Bro. Diep were sitting at
the steps of the cathedral. Fr. Majcen told them: “We are about to leave, but you should stay.
We recommend you three things: Love for the Eucharist; have a great devotion to Mary; and
be loyal to the Pope.” Fr. Wang responded: “We are Chinese and we’ll do our best. As for
loyalty to the Pope, we’d rather die than be separated from him!” And he kept his words.
On August 14 or 15, all the Salesians could still have dinner together. Fr. Sing invited us
to a Vietnamese restaurant a little far from our school where we had a sumptuous European
dinner with a perfect French wine. The dinner was as marvelous as it could be. But we spoke
softly and the Vietnamese of the restaurant did too: that was the atmosphere of that time!
On the feast of Assumption there was little attendance in the cathedral because of fear.
Bishop Derouineau solemnly celebrated his last Mass here. After the Mass, he summoned Fr.
Majcen to hand him the chalice souvenir of his first Mass, commissioning him to take it to
Hong Kong and from there send it back to his family. In those days we prayed a great deal,
perhaps more than ever before.
On August 16 afternoon, Fr. Majcen was informed of Fr. Wang’s arrest. The students of
our school kept shouting and uttering insults by calling him a dog of the imperialists who had
deceived them by his doctrine and led them astray, and saying that they wanted to see his
blood shed on this school yard in reparation for imperialist crimes. At that moment a police
officer intervened to take him to prison. They prepared a public trial for him on September 9
and he was sentenced to a 30-year imprisonment. After those 30 years of immeasurable
sufferings, he was released still alive, physically very weak but spiritually as strong as ever.
The conditions have changed a little for the better, and now, still living as a normal citizen in
Kunming, he earns his living by translating books for the government and does his priestly
ministry as much as he can.
On August 17, Fr. Fernandez and Bro. Marongiu left, as did the Carmelite Sisters of
Kunming and the Franciscan Daughters of Mary, after having handed over all their missions
and possessions to their Chinese and Vietnamese Sisters. Except Fr. Wang in prison, there
remained in Kunming other Salesians: Mgr. Kerec, Fr. Majcen, Fr. Sing, the cleric Ho and
the lay brother Diep.
On August 18, while Fr. Majcen was walking in a small yard with Mgr. Kerec who was
speaking of his pending martyrdom, a police came and ordered Fr. Majcen to gather Mgr.
Derouineau and all the Salesians in the sitting room. Fr. Majcen came to report the matter to
Mgr. Derouineau. The latter exclaimed: “This is the end!” He took his pastor ring, put in his
pocket some medicine and some money which he had got ready. He went down to the sitting
room where were present Mgr. Kerec and other priests. The chief police came with a long
40
|
|
5.9 Page 49 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 7: The School confiscated, Fr. Majcen came to Hong Kong - Macao 41
list, saying: “Here is the imperialist and colonialist bishop Derouineau!” (At that, several
policemen from the doors and windows pointed their guns at the Bishop. The chief police
went on reading on his paper a series of accusations: “He…”. He concluded declaring:
“Therefore he is condemned by the people to imprisonment.” Immediately he was surrounded
by the police and led to a room on the fourth floor where he was to stay day and night, lie on
the floor and could not talk to anybody.
On August 21, while he was walking with Mgr. Kerec, Fr. Majcen was kindly invited by
the police to follow him to the police station. Fr. Majcen asked to take his hat, and with it,
also some medicine and money he had got ready. At the station, the chief police asked
whether he had money. “Money? For what?” he asked. “To get an air ticket to Hong Kong.”
So he asked to go to get money and he was allowed to go. Then the police told him: “You
have to publish on the press a notification for three days, and after three days if nobody
accuses you or demands any debts, you may go!” He at once went to the air booking-office
and booked a seat on the 25 August. He fervently prayed to Mary and Don Bosco that no
trouble would fall on him at the last moment. Luckily it was summer holiday time, the
teachers were on holiday, and few people read his notifications on the press. In the mean time
he weighed his belongings, taking one thing out and putting another in, so that his luggage
did not overweigh the 40 pounds allowed. In his case were 4 heavy volumes of the breviary, a
colossal Russian dictionary, and the Filotea printed in 1899, in Slovene, a precious souvenir
of his mother, and then some towels and clothes.
Having no money for the ticket, he went to Fr. Sing who quickly came to borrow some
money from the Vietnamese Carmelite Sisters who were living in Kunming. And Fr. Majcen
promised to pay them back from Hong Kong via the bank.
On the evening of August 24, the two friends still discretely met behind the cathedral. Fr.
Majcen exhorted Fr. Sing to be confident in trials and adversities, and have devotion to Mary.
Finally the two gave each other the blessing of Mary Help of Christians.
From Kunming to Hong Kong: August 25 — September 15, 1951
On August 25, Fr. Majcen said his Mass in the bishop’s office and asked Mgr. Kerec for
a blessing. Mgr. Kerec gave his blessing in tears, then he also asked Fr. Majcen to bless him.
At that moment Mgr. Kerec feared that he might suffer martyrdom. Without having breakfast
which was not ready, and fasting for the whole day, Fr. Majcen at once went to the air office.
His luggage was weighed and they meanly demanded his extra weight which included his
overcoat, his dress and even his handkerchiefs. At the air office, he had to wait for one hour
together with Fr. Sing and the two could talk and bless each other once more. A bus took him
to the airport. There, after a long delay, he underwent another luggage check. The police
intentionally turned his breviary and his Filotea page by page to see whether anything was
hidden. Then they carefully check his photos and other personal souvenirs so dear to him and
threw them all into the wastebasket. At last the airplane arrived and after a final check, Fr.
Majcen boarded the airplane and parted from Kunming forever.
After three hours the plane landed in Chunkiang. After a while, a policeman came to
check the luggage like in Kunming, examining the papers one by one. Nothing more was
detected. He just saw a few notes taken on the Don Bosco’s dream The Snake in the Well
which he had prepared for a goodnight talk. He ordered him to read, translate and explain it
for one hour. He also wanted him to read something in his Russian dictionary, then called a
small car to take him to a riverside restaurant. It was here that he met Fr. Fernandez, Bro.
|
|
5.10 Page 50 |
▲back to top |
42 Chapter 7: The School confiscated, Fr. Majcen came to Hong Kong - Macao
Marongiu, the Carmelite Sisters and the Franciscan Daughters of Mary. They had been here
for a week waiting for a ship to take them on the river.
The Carmelite abbess wanted to offer them three meals per day: breakfast, lunch and
dinner. Of course they did not refuse: in each meal there were two boiled eggs with salt and a
cup of tea. In the voyage on board there were about 400 passengers who mostly were
expelled missionaries, the group coming from Kunming being kept apart. In Chunkiang,
while the ship stopped, Fr. Majcen was once more summoned to the police station where a
student girl re-examined his file containing an extract of the two previous interrogations.
Then together with Fr. Fernandez and Bro. Marongiu, Fr. Majcen was released to resume his
journey.
The trip on Yangtze was really wonderful, especially when passing through deep courses
under tall cliffs (perhaps along 40 km). These were among the most lovely landscapes in the
world. Arriving in Hanchao, the group came with the Franciscans, then got on a ferry and
went to Wuho to take the train to the south, enjoying in the meanwhile the immense forests in
between the cliffs. By night when they crossed the mission territories of Shiuchow, they
remembered Mgr. Versiglia and other missionaries who had been working there, Fr. Geder in
particular. And they came to Guangdong in the morning. Together with Fr. Fernandez and
Bro Marongiu, Fr. Majcen went to visit Bishop Tang. The bishop asked them to pray for him
to accept either the impending imprisonment or martyrdom. At the railway station to Hong
Kong, they underwent another scrupulous check on their luggage and bodies, even hearing
shouts and insults from the police when a Protestant pastor burst out laughing loudly because
he was tickled when the inspector touched his armpit. Before leaving Chinese borders, Fr.
Majcen sent back to Fr. Sing in Kunming his money left, and gave other sums of money to
the Red Cross for their work at the border gate.
After crossing the border gate, he found Fr. Poletti of the PIME (in those years, these
Italian missionaries were true angels to all the expelled missionaries from China). Fr. Poletti
entertained them by a good dinner with a delicious beer. Then they took the train to Kowloon
and Shau Ki Wan where they were warmly and fraternally welcome by the Provincial Fr.
Braga, Fr. Massimino and other Salesians. Now that they were free, they were nevertheless
not able to regain their calm to report on their sufferings and terrors.
The events in Kunming after Fr. Majcen’s departure
After Fr. Majcen’s departure, the lay brother Diep also left Kunming and went to Beijing
where he died.
Remaining in Kunming, apart from Mgr. Kerec, there were also Fr. Wang who was in
prison, and Fr. Sing and the cleric Ho who lived in the school under tremendous pressure.
On August 28, Mgr. Kerec was summoned to the police and underwent the interrogations
in the communist style.
In a gathering of about a thousand people on September 9, Fr. Wang was sentenced to a
30 year imprisonment and Bishop Derouineau was forced to leave China.
The police demanded Mgr. Kerec and Fr. Sing to return the printing machines Fr.
Majcen had sold as well as the gold, arms and ammunition which (they alleged) Fr. Rubini
had hidden.
Fr. Sing was jailed for several days, was released, and arrested again, and on the first
Sunday of Advent he was freed back to the school where he became an English teacher, but
42
|
|
6 Pages 51-60 |
▲back to top |
|
|
6.1 Page 51 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 7: The School confiscated, Fr. Majcen came to Hong Kong - Macao 43
by the wish of the students, he was humiliated to become a servant. After becoming a rice
seller for some time, he was arrested again and was sentenced to a 30 year imprisonment.
After Fr. Sing’s imprisonment, the cleric Ho left Kunming for Beijing where he became
a footballer.
In the first months of 1952, the Sisters of the Hospital in Chaotong and Dr. Janez
together with the Camillian Fathers and Sisters came Kunming.
On April 15, Mgr. Kerec and the Slovenian Sisters left Kunming on a truck and came to
Hong Kong on May 15.
Thus Mgr. Kerec, the first Salesian to come to Kunming, was also the last to leave the
city.
|
|
6.2 Page 52 |
▲back to top |
PART TWO
FR. ANDREJ MAJCEN’S MISSION
IN NORTH VIETNAM
|
|
6.3 Page 53 |
▲back to top |
CHAPTER 8: TOWARD RECEIVING NEW MISSION IN VIETNAM
(9/1951 — 10/1952)
A. A sojourn in Macao and Hong Kong
After his arrival to Hong Kong on September 15 1951 with his co-missionaries, Fr.
Majcen was kept by Fr. Braga, Provincial, for some time in Shau Ki Wan for a rest and
recovery, especially for lessening his wounds in the heart. The Provincial asked if he wished
to return to his country to live with his mother and sisters. After due consideration and seeing
the situation in Yugoslavia of that time, he decided not to return but to stay with the Chinese
province. Fr. Braga sent him to Macao to serve the Don Bosco School there, asking Fr.
Giacomino, Rector of the school, to receive and take care of him with fraternal love. The
good Rector allowed Bro. Marongiu to come with him to Macao where they also visited
historic religious places. Centuries ago the missionaries had come here as by a threshold to
enter the territories of the Celestial Emperor. The most famous of them was Fr. Matteo Ricci,
a Jesuit priest. There were also other Slovenian Jesuit missionaries such as Fr. Mesar and Fr.
Halenstein. Fr. Majcen had a visit to the Salesian School, the first Salesian house erected in
1906, from which years after years the Salesian works spread all over the Orient.
Through the concern of Salesian confreres in Macao, Fr. Majcen was soon granted
permanent residence and the Ordinary also granted him confession faculty. Fr. Braga quickly
appointed him confessor of the school and this forced him to learn Portuguese and Cantonese.
Macao’s school department quickly admitted him as a teacher of French, because with good
will, he could speak French very well.
A serious illness
About mid-May, Fr. Majcen had a stroke while saying Mass. He immediately was taken
to hospital as an emergency case. The diagnosing doctor knew he was choked by bronchi
blocking. He was immediately carried into the operating room. Fr. Gicomino gave him
absolution and the anointing of the sick, then stood praying at his bed for three hours.
Three weeks after leaving hospital, he was taken back there again to undergo an
operation of the other inflammatory bronchus. It was during this hospitalization that Mgr.
Kerec together with the Slovenian Sisters and Dr. Janez went to visit him, after they had just
come from Kunming. They had been carefully preparing for the first Mass of Fr. Pavlin with
the presence also of Fr. Geder, although it was a pity that Fr. Majcen could not be present. Fr.
Braga made a visit and proposed that he and Fr. Ferrari go to the Philippines to open a Town
for abandoned children in Cebu. To this request, Fr. Majcen answered that his actual health
could not permit him to assume so heavy a task.
Vietnam destination
In a second visit shortly after that, Fr. Braga said he had sent a letter to Fr. Ferrari telling
him that he was not to go to the Philippines; instead, because Fr. Majcen could speak French,
he could be sent to Hà Nội where the Salesians had just accepted a work for the service of the
young that was founded by Fr. Paul Seitz, a priest of the Missions Étrangères de Paris who
had just been consecrated bishop of Kon Tum, Central Vietnam. So Fr. Giacomino was
appointed Superior, and Fr. Majcen his helper. When he handed the obedience letter to Fr.
45
|
|
6.4 Page 54 |
▲back to top |
46 Chapter 8: Toward Receiving New Mission in Vietnam (9/1951 - 10/1952)
Majcen, Fr. Braga added a famous saying: “I send you to begin the Salesian work and
promote the first Salesian vocations in Vietnam.”
Fr. Majcen had frequently been to Vietnam on his way to Kunming. He remembered a
characteristic of the Vietnamese people was to wear brown clothes and most Vietnamese
women usually had their teeth blackened to look lovely. They were a new people, quite
different from the Chinese. That was the people he now had to offer his apostolic life. With
all these thoughts in his heart, he went to the Salesian School and prayed in the chapel of
Mary Help of Christians. He bade farewell to the Macao confreres, and left for Hong Kong
with Fr. Giacomino.
B. Twenty years living with the good Vietnamese people
“Dear Mario Rassiga, Salesian missionary of the diocese of Shiuchow, China,
I have written and sent you my autobiography on the house of Kunming that Don Bosco
kept in his heart since 1884-1886, and on the Salesian apostolate that was completed there in
the years 1935-1951 (52).
I am happy to continue writing to you, according to your wish, and I will write with all
my love and as far as possible with the same zeal of Fr. Braga, who brought me to Kunming
after crossing North Vietnam in 1935, and it was he again who sent me to Vietnam for a
second time in 1952, to work in Hà Nội in the service of abandoned children.
For the first period (1952-1954), I will write about my life in North Vietnam, at the Thị
Xã Kitô Vương (Christ the King Town) amidst the agitation of the war. That was the
Indochina War, a name of that time, with one side being under France’s commander Marshal
De Lattre who founded the Vietnamese Army, and the other side being Ho Chi Minh’s army
under the command of General Vo Nguyen Giap, who won the decisive victory on May 7
1954.
In the years 1951-53, together with the MEP Fathers I implemented as far as possible a
systematization of an education according to Don Bosco’s spirit at the Theresa Family, and
then in 1953-54 I continued to work there as Rector of a Salesian house canonically erected
by the Rector Major, with a team of Salesian confreres.
Since you yourself have written a very good proto-history of Salesian works in Vietnam,
I will not repeat it in this autobiography. Nevertheless, it is my earnest desire that my readers
carefully read your Vietnamese Salesian proto-history.
C. Vietnam
Vietnam is a country covered for the most part with mountains and forests, but it has vast
plains, especially in the Red River delta in the North and the Mekong delta in the South.
Vietnam borders China to the north, the Pacific Ocean to the south and east, and Laos
and Cambodia to the west.
Vietnamese people
The earliest Vietnamese people belonged to the Malaysian clans, but later when other
people came, they went up to the high lands to form native clans whom the French called
montagnards (mountain people). They were primitive people of the common era but they
avoided mixing themselves with the Kinh who accounted for more than 80 percent of the
Vietnamese population. The Vietnamese were an undaunted people who were steadfast in
preserving their autonomy and independence in spite of a thousand years under the Chinese
46
|
|
6.5 Page 55 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 8: Toward Receiving New Mission in Vietnam (9/1951 - 10/1952) 47
domination and more than a hundred years under the French colonialists. They always tried
and successfully got rid of foreign domination and regained their independence.
Culture
Vietnam has its proper culture, although it is also strongly influenced by Chinese culture,
especially by the Confucianism and Chinese writing. Since 1627, the Jesuits Buzomi and
Alexandre Rhodes created a new writing called Chữ Quốc Ngữ using the Latin alphabet and
this was very beneficial to the popularization of the culture. Since then, the writing with
Chinese characters was limited to the classic literature or used as ornaments and decorations
in the pagodas, temples and tombs.
Vietnamese history
Through ages, Vietnam has been divided among the lords and princes fighting one
another for territories. In the last few years before the French invasion, Vietnam was split into
two kingdoms governed by the Lord Trinh and the Lord Nguyen.
The missionaries’ coming in Vietnam and the religious persecutions
In 1615, a Jesuit Father named Buzomi (Italian) and Carvalho (Portuguese) together with
two clerics Joseph and Paul (Japanese) came to Hoi An, Danang province. They built a
provisory chapel for the use of the Catholic Japanese residents and European merchants in the
place where a new missionary horizon was open for Vietnamese people. In 1624 a French
Jesuit Father named Alexandre de Rhodes came to South Vietnam, then called Đàng Trong
(Cochinchin), and with his talent in languages, he created the quốc ngữ using the latin
alphabet, greatly facilitating the widespread literacy of the Vietnamese. He wrote
the Dictionarium Annamiticum Lusitanum et Latinum, the Phép Giảng Tám Ngày, a small
catechism in Vietnamese, and started the formation and training of the thầy giảng (catechists)
and the local clergy. In 1626 he was called to Macao, but after a few months he left for North
Vietnam, then called Đàng Ngoài (Tonkin), where in March 1627, his ship was swept to Cửa
Bàng (Thanh Hóa) on March 19, Feast of St. Joseph whom he took as the Patron of Đàng
Ngoài. In 1630, being expelled from Đàng Ngoài, he went to Macao again. In 1640, after ten
years’ evangelization in Macao, he came back to Đàng Trong. Between 1640 and 1645, Fr.
De Rhodes was expelled four times and still managed to come back to Đàng Trong, and
finally in July 1645 he left Vietnam forever.
The persecutions
The fast expansion of Catholicism in Vietnam created hatred and envy in the lords and
kings who consequently carried out series of persecutions during the three centuries 17, 18
and 19, resulting in the martyrdoms of between 130,000 and 300,000 faith witnesses,
including 117 martyrs who were canonized in June 19 1988, the proto-martyr being St.
Andrew of Phu Yen, a 19 year old young man. Of the foreign missionaries who were
canonized, 11 were Spanish Dominicans and 10 were French MEP missionaries.
In spite of the persecutions, the Church grew stronger and stronger because the first
missionaries had wisely prepared not only the thầy giảng (catechists) but also no few local
priests, with a view to having future local bishops. In these conditions, the formation of the
clergy was done in a unique way: to avoid being detected, seminaries of that time were
simple boats going to and fro on the rivers of the Mekong delta. Grand seminarians were sent
to Uruthia in Thailand in the years 1668s.
|
|
6.6 Page 56 |
▲back to top |
48 Chapter 8: Toward Receiving New Mission in Vietnam (9/1951 - 10/1952)
A great contribution to the missions was the creation of the Seminary of the Missions
Étrangères de Paris. It was from this Seminary that legions of missionaries volunteered for
the missions, including Bishop François Pallu, Apostolic Vicar of Tonkin, and Bishop Pierre
Lambert de la Motte, Apostolic Vicar of Cochinchin.
The persecutions ended by the French army’s intervention, with the signing of the
treaties and pacts in the years 1858, 1859, 1884 between the governments of Annam, France
and Spain.
French colonisation of Vietnam
The French intervention in favor of their missionaries in Vietnam was by no means
disinterested, for France saw this a very good pretext and opportunity to occupy Vietnam. As
early as 1886, Napoleon III of France incorporated Sài Gòn, the Mekong delta and the whole
Cochinchin into France, making it a French colony. In 1887 he sent 400 legionnaires to take
Tonkin, making it a French protectorate. In the same year, he sent 600 legionnaires to take
Annam (Central Vietnam) and made it another protectorate, though still retaining Bao Dai as
its emperor yet placing beside him a French protector official with greater authority. Vietnam
was under French colonial rule during 92 years (1862-1954) until the Geneva Accords of
1954.
The progressivist governments of the French Republic did not see as wise their export of
anti-clericalism to their colonies: this would only bring disadvantageous results. That was
why the Freemasons could not do in Vietnam all the evils they had done elsewhere. In those
times, the colonialist government was very watchful against different political parties who all
more or less extolled patriotism and fought for their country’s independence.
The political situation
Of the political parties that lasted longer or shorter, one eventually emerged that took the
upper hand with a more than persuasive weapons resource: the Communist Party that was led
by Ho Chi Minh. This was a multifaceted figure: He first cooperated with the government
and then split off. He disguised himself as a patriotic in order to attract the people’s support.
In the meanwhile he set up guerrillas forces, made them an real army, fought and won the
French and then used tricks to fail the US Army in South Vietnam.
Japan initially invaded Vietnam with the intention of an advising party then turned out to
occupy the whole country, but after just a few months they surrendered to the Allies and
ended their occupation.
During World War II, especially between 1945 and 1950, the French colonialists
weakened. They somewhat recovered in the years 1950-52 when General de Lattre set up the
national army and organized defensive forces in the villages. Their fatal end came on May 7
1954 when they fell after a long heroic resistance at Điện Biên Phủ, and the French cause
definitely ended with this total failure. The Geneva Accords, signed on July 20 1954, divided
Vietnam into two parts: the North above the 17o latitude was under the control of the
Vietnamese Communists with Hà Nội as capital, while the Vietnamese Nationalists took
control of the South below the 17o latitude with Sài Gòn as capital.
In 1955 Emperor Bao Dai was dethroned and Ngo Dinh Diem was elected President of
the Republic of Vietnam. He was reelected in 1961 and in 1962 he signed an agreement with
the Americans. The American intervention could have eliminated the communists but
unfortunately this tragic and bloody war failed, the Americans eventually had to withdraw.
Without the support of the American, South Vietnam’s Army could not stand the
48
|
|
6.7 Page 57 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 8: Toward Receiving New Mission in Vietnam (9/1951 - 10/1952) 49
overwhelming attack of the North Army abundantly supported by huge ammunitions of
China and the USSR. South Vietnam completely collapsed and the North took hold of the
whole country without much difficulty.
D. An Introduction to my autobiography on Vietnam
a) During my stay in Macao, every week I used to go from Don Bosco Secondary School
to the Immaculate Conception School to make a confession with my confessor Fr. Favale.
But in September 1952 my heart beat faster and the thoughts of my new obedience letter kept
hanging about in my mind. As I had done in 1935 when I passed by Vietnam’s land to go to
Kunming, now in September 1952 I also knelt down before the Tabernacle and Mary Help of
Christians’ altar in Mgr. Vergsiglia’s chapel surrounded by his sanctity’s fragrance. I asked
Our Lady to give me her blessing, advice and support so that I could work in the midst of all
the agitations of a bloody war, and her help in order to—as Fr. Braga had recommended
me—work for the poor, abandoned children and for the vocations of Vietnamese young men
who in the words of Fr. Braga were very very many… In Fr. Braga’s great heart, he truly left
his testament to this region: a beginning for the Salesian works in Vietnam… Wasn’t this just
a will-o’-the-wisp? In such uncertain conditions?
b) On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of my departure for the missions (1935-85), I
recalled that in my first missionary steps when a French aircraft named “Paul Doumer”
landed on Hải Phòng port, Fr. Braga then explained to the French customs officer that this
was the missionary departure of 5 Salesians for Yunnan mountainous region to open an art
and professional school. For the first time I was impressed by the Vietnamese women and
men, who it was said characteristically wore brown clothes and had their teeth blackened by a
special substance. They chew betel pepper leaves with betel nut and lime and from time to
time spat its red quid out right on the floor. In fact this was a people with a characteristic
custom completely distinguished from the Chinese.
In his book Salesian Works in Vietnam, Chapter 1, pp. 1-6, Fr. Rassiga has skillfully
presented a history of the one Vietnamese people separated by the 17o parallel and swimming
in the same Pacific waters.
The total population of Vietnam in the 1950s stood at approximately 50 million. Before
1952, they were known as the Annamites or Indochinese. On September 20 1977 Vietnam
officially became a member of UNO.
This is a very hardworking and intelligent people. This I had experienced since my first
months in my missionary life, as early as 1935. Our Fr. Kerec had managed to build his
“Wisdom School” by the hands of Hà Nội’s supervisors and skillful workers. The
construction in ferro-concrete and timber had been completed wonderfully and it still stood
up as an artistic work to beautify Yunnan city until 1950 and even later.
c) Our dear Fr. Rassiga presented the Salesians missionaries’ evangelization in Chapter
II, pp. 7-11. But I cannot help highlighting the valuable work of the Jesuits Fathers, including
Fr. Buzzoni and others, especially Fr. Alexander de Rhodes, in their creation of the Chữ
Quốc Ngữ for the Vietnamese language… thus setting a beginning for the modern national
literature. Fr. Rassiga also spoke of the bloody persecutions. As early as 1835, Don Bosco as
a student and young priest had read the Lyon missionary magazine, he certainly knew of the
martyrdoms of St. Venard and many bishops, priests and laic Christians in Vietnam. On July
5 1862 Vietnamese Court was forced to sign with the French rulers a treaty of religious
freedom. Our Lady of Lavang eventually triumphed. It was in Lavang where the Catholics
took refuge, and it was there that Our Lady made her apparitions to comfort her children. It
|
|
6.8 Page 58 |
▲back to top |
50 Chapter 8: Toward Receiving New Mission in Vietnam (9/1951 - 10/1952)
was at that time Don Bosco told our future Cardinal Cagliero that we had to promote the
devotion to Mary Help of Christians. The readers may refer to Don Bosco’s Biographical
Memoirs. I will speak later about the Lavang Cathedral where there was the blessing rite of
the statue of Mary Help of Christian, a statue brought from Spain on the occasion of the
centenary of Our Lady’s apparitions in Lavang. Many Vietnamese Catholic families still keep
the relics of their martyred ancestors, and their blood is truly the seed giving birth to the
Christians. This had been frequently mentioned by Fr. Braga and others.
d) In Chapter II, pp. 11-13, Fr. Rassiga spoke of the French occupation of Vietnam and
in Chapter IV of the Vietnam war for independence, especially with the role of Ho Chi Minh
and the communists from pages 4 to 15. I, Majcen, came to Vietnam exactly in 1952 when
Vietnam was still under the French rule until their decisive defeat Điện Biên Phủin Dien Bien
Phu on May 7 1954. After the Geneva Accords on July 20 1954, Vietnam was divided into
two parts: the North and the South.
50
|
|
6.9 Page 59 |
▲back to top |
CHAPTER 9: THE BEGINNING OF
SALESIAN WORKS IN VIETNAM
A. Fr. Carlo Braga, the initiator of the Salesian missionary project in Vietnam
My Superior was Fr. Carlo Braga who initiated Don Bosco’s Missionary Project in
Vietnam and who infused Don Bosco’s spirit in me and in others.
How Don Bosco’s spirit got in Vietnam before 1952?
As I have said earlier,1 I am convinced that Don Bosco in the years between 1835 and
1838 knew well the story about Vietnam (then called Annam or Indochina) and he saw the
young people from India and China among the native clerics. Vietnam was seen on the route
from Beijing to Africa, as was shown to him by the Personage of the dream.
Fr. Braga was a friend and advisor of Mgr. Versiglia with whom he also discussed the
project of setting up Don Bosco’s works in Vietnam, although the project at that time was not
mature enough to be carried out. In this section I want to highlight some more coherent
chronology of the events.
— 1926, The Apostolic Nuncio, Mgr. Costanti Aiuti, on behalf of the Bishop of Hải
Phòng, asked the Salesians to come and open their schools in Hải Phòng.
— 1927, our Salesian Father at the Nuncio’s secretariat insisted that a French Salesian
should be sent, but there was none to be sent.
— 1928, the bishops and priests spoke much about the coming beatification of Don
Bosco. (Probably because Mgr. Corostarzu in Kunming had spoken himself, as well as
other priests who personally knew Don Bosco).
— On June 1 1929, Don Bosco was beatified by Pope Pius IX. Right from the beginning,
Don Bosco was a saint who was very popular to the Vietnamese.
— 1930, the year of the glorious martyrdom of two Salesians, Mgr. Versiglia and Fr.
Caravario. Other distinguished Salesian figures included Mgr. Canazei who was bishop
of Shiuchow, and Fr. Braga, to whom the great project about Don Bosco was always
dear to his heart, and who became Provincial of the China Province and was preparing
for the future Salesian works in Vietnam.
— As for Fr. Majcen, as a theology student in Ljubljana, he had already been greatly
interested in the Salesian history in the whole Orient by reading articles on the Bolletino
Salesiano and through the news from Fr. Kerec.
— In 1933, Pope Pius XI appointed the native bishops from the missions, including Mgr.
JB Nguyen Ba Tong, the first Vietnamese bishop of the largest Catholic diocese in North
Vietnam (Tonkin).
— In 1935, Fr. Braga2 on two occasions sent the first Salesians to Kunming via Hải
Phòng-Hà Nội-Lao Bao, including Fr. Majcen and the Rector Fr. Kerec in particular.
Some months later, in 1936, Vietnamese workers came to build the “Wisdom School” in
1 See Mario Rassiga, Ch. I, pp. 4-18.
2 Mario Rassiga, Don Andrea Majcen. See the section on the “Salesian History in Kunming”.
51
|
|
6.10 Page 60 |
▲back to top |
52 Chapter 9: The Beginning of Salesian Works in Vietnam
Kunming. It was during this time that Fr. Majcen could know better the Vietnamese
characteristics, their customs, their capacity to build a school, which until now, in 1986,
still stands up beautifully and is the pride of its maker. It was from that moment, as Fr.
Rassiga said, that the dynamic Fr. Braga and the eloquent Fr. Kerec managed to open
Vietnamese’s hearts to cooperate in the works of Don Bosco.
Later, Fr. Majcen made several other trips to Kunming via Vietnam, especially in 1935,
1937, 1940.
In 1940, Fr. Majcen conveyed to Fr. Braga the desire of a French military man, Fr.
Francois Dupont, the founder of the work for the Eurasian orphans. This work came
from the initiative of Fr. Braga and was implemented by Fr. Dupont and Fr. Petit, and
has described in the book of Fr. Rassiga.3
The First Salesian Work in Vietnam with Fr. Dupont and Fr. Petit
1) The Vietnamese’s desire to have the Salesian presence4
As early as in 1926, the Apostolic Nuncio in Indochina, Mgr. Costanti Aiuti who had
residence in Hà Nội, wrote a letter to the Salesian Provincial in China, Fr. Canazei, notifying
the desire of Mgr. Ruiz de Azua, Apostolic Delegate in Hải Phòng, to have the Salesians to
open a vocational school in his diocese. In a second letter, Fr. Giovanni Casetta, who was a
Salesian and secretary of the Nuncio for two years 1926-27, wrote in the name of the Nuncio
to insist on this work by presenting favorable conditions; but among these conditions there
was one specifying that the superior must be a Frenchman. Fr. Canazei had to turn it down
because of a shortage of personnel in his province, and because there were only two French
confreres available, one in Shiuchow and another in Shanghai. Another proposal was
presented to Fr. Braga from Mgr. Nguyen Ba Tong, Apostolic Administrator of Phat Diem
diocese. Mgr. Nguyen Ba Tong was the first Vietnamese bishop who had been consecrated
by Pope Pius XI in Rome in 1933. The same bishop also asked to have French or French
speaking Salesians come to run his small seminary, to teach, to take care of a parish, and to
open a vocational school, etc… Not content with simply answering that he cannot satisfy the
bishops’ desire, he also commissioned Mgr. Kerec to visit Vietnam, and he even personally
visited Vietnam. Fr. Braga had a great desire to begin Salesian works in Vietnam, but the
condition of that time did not permit him to make his dream become true. On the other hand,
our Superiors did not want to satisfy those requests with the imposed condition that the
Salesian to be sent should be of a specified nationality.
The Salesians’ desire to come to work in Vietnam was increased by their frequent transit
across Vietnam on their trips to Kunming, that is by the routes Hong Kong-Hải Phòng-Hà
Nội and then Hà Nội-Kunming, on arduous travels climbing to the heights of 2,000 meters
above sea level. The dynamic Fr. Braga and the eloquent, even “talkative” Fr. Kerec, had left
unforgettable impressions in all the places they had been to.
2) Fr. Dupont, the first Salesian to work in Vietnam5
Francisque Dupont was born on September 14 1908. Having lost his mother at the age of
6, he and his younger sister were raised by their aunt in a Christian atmosphere that was very
3 See Mario Rassiga, L’Opera Salesiana nel Vietnam, Hong Kong — A.T.S, 1984, pp. 3-12.
4 ibid., pp. 1-12.
5 The book Révérend Père FRANCISQUD DUPONT, missionnaire salésien, martyrisé et assasiné à Ke-So
(Vietnam) le 10 août 1942 à l’âge de 37 ans,” still kept by Fr. Dupont’s family, contains a great number of
witnesses. In our account, from this point on we will refer to this resource as “RPFDP”.
52
|
|
7 Pages 61-70 |
▲back to top |
|
|
7.1 Page 61 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 9: The Beginning of Salesian Works in Vietnam 53
pious, with a great devotion to the Rosary and the Eucharist. He was educated at St. Louis
Gonzague School initially run by the Brothers of the Christian Schools and then by the
Salesians. In a letter to his sister he admitted: “In my first communion, God called me and I
said Yes!” After studying philosophy for one year at the Lyon Seminary, he got a call to the
Salesian life in 1924 after a meeting with Fr. Dudant, president of the Association of the
Salesian Past Pupils, and he wanted to give his life for the care of poor youth. At 17, the
young Dupont organized a Boys Scouts group called ‘The Camels’ to practice perseverance,
bravery, initiative, that were very congruent with Don Bosco’s spirit which he would later
assimilate. He did his postulancy for one year, became a Salesian in 1932 and in 1933 he
went to Turin to collaborate with the magazine “Youth and the missions”.
Fr. Dupont’s coming to Vietnam
Being called up for military service, Fr. Dupont had to go back to France, but the
continuous fighting between the Chinese and the Japanese had prevented this, and he could
only go to Hải Phòng where he was mobilized on the spot and became a corporal in the
French army. He was appointed an interpreter for the French governor in his talks with the
Japanese officers. The Sino-Japanese War had begun in 1937, and the Japanese reproached
the French government for secretly delivering weapons to the Chinese. After France was
defeated by the Nazi, the Japanese requested that the Pétain’s government should close the
Sino-Indochina border gate and set up Japanese control there. Indochina’s governor Catroux
conceded but at the same time demanded support from the Americans and the British.
Consequently France President Pétain replaced him by Admiral Decoux who became new
Governor General of Indochina. Under Japanese pressure, Decoux still successfully
maintained France’s protectorate for 5 years, due to his skillful dealings with the then
winning Japanese. By his uprightness and moderation, the interpreter Dupont got confidence
of both French and Japanese sides. He worked in this post until 1942. In the role of an
interpreter in Hải Phòng, Fr. Dupont occasionally had conversations in the night with
Odagiri, the Japanese chief commander who, in one instance and under the influence of
alcohol, warned him of the shadows covering the future of the French-Japanese relations in
Indochina: “… Many heads will be cut off, except Mr. Dupont who is a good officer; it’s a
pity he is a feeble priest!” In playing his role as an interpreter, he occasionally went alone
with governor Decoux to a Japanese ship to talk face to face with the Japanese commander.
This commander also trusted Dupont and was very friendly, and whenever he got stress, he
often came to him to relax. The high commissioner of the French Police also acknowledged
that Fr. Dupont was very informed about the situation, and he thought that the Japanese
invasion of Vietnam marked a very serious episode for the French army. Fr. Dupont’s
mission as an interpreter was really dangerous for him in the reluctant co-habitation between
the French and the Japanese in Vietnam, but Fr. Dupont contributed much to neutralize many
disagreements between them.
On March 9 1945 the Japanese apparently attacked all the French bastions, imprisoned
even Governor Decoux and declared independence for Vietnam under the rule of the pro-
Japanese Tran Trong Kim government.
Fr. Dupont’s apostolate during his military service
Apart from his job in the army as an interpreter in Hải Phòng in 1940 and then in Hà
Nội, Fr. Dupont did not fail to commit himself to the priestly ministry. A security inspector,
Mr. Lefèvre, reported that in his free time, Fr. Dupont used to engage himself in the
apostolate now in Hải Phòng, now in Hà Nội, sometimes at one place in the morning and at
|
|
7.2 Page 62 |
▲back to top |
54 Chapter 9: The Beginning of Salesian Works in Vietnam
another in the evening. In the beginning he was a chaplain to a religious house in Hải Phòng
and a French-Vietnamese youth association in Hà Nội.6 In the beginning of 1941 he carried
out his ministry in St. Anthony parish in a variety of roles: as chaplain of the Boy Scouts, the
Young Christian Students, Young Christian Workers, editor of the Responsables Magazine,
animator of parish activities, and preacher of spiritual retreats. In Hà Nội, the Presentation
Club invited him to give at the City Hall a presentation on the hot issues of the times
regarding the national, religious, moral and spiritual aspects. On December 11, in the
presence of Governor Decoux and other high officials of the capital, Fr. Dupont developed
this theme: “There are things that die, there are things that are generated and come to a new
order, to prove to the audience of this colony that unless we return to the spiritual values with
a sense of discipline, we cannot regain our former strengths.”
In his free time and after completing his military service, he zealously performed his
priestly ministry especially among the young in Hà Nội. He was much respected and admired
by the Bishop of Hà Nội.
By his qualities and zeal, Fr. Dupont was respected and loved by laic and religious
officials. Many distinguished figures of that time were his friends, including Fr. Seitz, Dean
of Hà Nội Cathedral and later bishop of Kon Tum, and Mr. René Robin, founder and director
of Eurasian Children Orphanage.
3) The First Salesian Work in Vietnam (January 3 1942)
It happened that at the end of 1941, Mr. René Robin, founder and director of the French-
Vietnamese Orphanage bearing his name, died. After his death, the Association for the
protection of Eurasian children of this orphanage insisted that Fr. Dupont should assume the
direction of this orphanage. He wrote to Fr. Braga and the latter accepted. Mgr. Chaise,
Apostolic Administrator of Hà Nội, permitted the setting up of a religious house and Fr.
Dupont signed up a contract with the Association and the Management of the orphanage.
Then on December 24 1941 he made a visit to the orphanage, met the children there then left
the orphanage until January 3 1942 when he came to formally assume its direction. Later, Fr.
Braga visited the orphanage and promised to send Fr. Raimond Petit from Thailand and also
other Salesians. Unfortunately the war prevented this and consequently apart from Fr. Petit,
no other Salesians could be sent to Hà Nội.
The René Robin Orphanage was erected with the purpose of supporting French-
Vietnamese children and was under the administration of an Association for the protection of
French-Vietnamese children of Indochina. The orphanage was a nice building standing in the
center of Hà Nội City. There were more than a hundred children, as many as the building
could accommodate. The children talked with each other in Vietnamese and with their
superiors in a not very fluent French. Most of them followed elementary or secondary classes
while some of them worked outside. With higher classes students, they were either sent to
further their studies in Dalat, or join the army, or work outside.
The contract signed by Fr. Dupont on November 18 was not really optimal, because it
seemed advantageous to the Salesians on one hand, but on the other it bound the Salesians to
an Association whose management kept money in their hands and did not let the Salesians
freedom in their activities as was conceded in the contract. The Salesians were responsible
for the education and moral of the children, the teaching staff, and could use their preventive
system of education. They could moreover open trade classes, have board and
accommodation and also health care. As for the Association, they were responsible for the
6 RPFDP p. 102.
54
|
|
7.3 Page 63 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 9: The Beginning of Salesian Works in Vietnam 55
financial administration, had ownership of the land and building, and were responsible for the
maintenance and development of the houses, as well as provide the children with their
necessities (food, clothes, etc…) and the care of the economical life of other non Salesian
staff. The Association’s director governed the general economy of the work and had an
economer to assist him. On the relation between the Salesians and the Association, the
contract regulated three things:
1) There should be a consent of both parties in all the construction or modification of the
building;
2) There should be a consent of both parties in the admittance or dismissal of the
children;
3) The Salesians should be well informed of and act conformably to the statutes of the
Association.
These terms in the contract in reality took away the Salesians’ freedom of action,
because without the consent of the Association, they could not do anything when they had to
deal with “hard head” members that did not mind reasoning, or when they had to admit or
dismiss a student, etc… However, with Fr. Dupont’s prestige and skill, the situation was not
bad.
Although not all students were Christians, Fr. Dupont managed to get them recite night
prayer and have a goodnight talk by the Father of the family, an essential formula of the
Salesian preventive system, and in the meanwhile there were catechism classes for the
children who wanted to be baptized, and he himself had the happiness to have baptized a
number of them.
There was no chapel in the orphanage, and Fr. Dupont was not at rest until there could
have the Mass celebrated at home. So he purchased a portable altar and found a place where
he could say Mass twice a week to his children, and he felt very happy when there were
regularly 20 children to take holy communion in the Mass he said for them.
He soon managed to change a classroom into a small and nice chapel with an altar, the
crucifix, the statues, candlesticks and flower pots, all given by his friends. He also had the
crucifixes hung in each classroom, and there were short prayers to be recited in the morning
the evening, and at meals, and he told them stories about Don Bosco. He loved to talk a lot
about Don Bosco whom he took for his example. Later, when his senior students read Don
Bosco’s story of Fr. Auffray, they were happy because they had been taught so much about
Don Bosco by Fr. Dupont.
Every Thursday and Sunday the students could learn catechism and have a homily. There
were songs and music during Mass, morning and evening prayers. A woman and one of the
head of Hà Nội City Hall regularly came to teach music and songs to the children.
Many children who came to the orphanage were non-Christians. Those who wanted to be
baptized, he taught them catechism, then also found pious and well-off godparents for them.
Fr. Dupont was gentle and generous, but never indulging unchaste lifestyle of his
children. He did not permit them to compromise with sins. Playing by hand touch was
prohibited. Children were not allowed to hug in the dark. Fr. Dupont took part in the
children’s conversations to avoid bad talk. Consequently after a few weeks, the children
could discover the virtues of righteousness, honesty, respect and promise keeping. They
could value work and study. They could display joyfulness in the games and leisure walk.
|
|
7.4 Page 64 |
▲back to top |
56 Chapter 9: The Beginning of Salesian Works in Vietnam
With the Rector’s help, they could destroy their impurities and above all take heart in their
prayers.7
On Eastertide, he had recollection days for the children and select those who showed
signs of vocation among them. By his zeal, he led the boys to a good spirit, and at least most
of them were ready to receive the Salesian education.
At his side there was only one Salesian, Fr. Petit, who took care of their studies and
discipline. In collaboration with him, there were a Frenchman manager who was responsible
for finance, some teachers and assistants or ‘moniteurs’, and lastly, in 1942 there was Mrs.
Rigaux who was later replaced by Mrs. Dubois who stayed with the Orphanage until the end.
These women took care of the small children and were responsible for their meals and
laundry.
Fr. Paul Seitz, MEP, a zealous priest who later became a bishop, often came to the
orphanage for their confession.
Managing the orphanage was a real cross, nay, a series of crosses, that was put on Fr.
Dupont’s shoulders. He got up at 5.15 am, then meditation, holy mass, prayer, and breakfast
with the children. His favorite breakfast was milk-coffee not bought from outside but
prepared by the Sisters. Then there were three classes, lunch, one Latin class for the boys
who had a sign for a vocation, then three other classes from 2.00 pm to 5.30 pm. Then
recreations, a bath and dinner. In the evening there were also vespers, Eucharistic adoration,
etc… and he watched over them to have a goodnight. He usually taught 7 or 8 hours a day,
added to his other engagements such as teaching catechism at home and outside, looking for
benefactors to improve the children’s meals. He was really an educator who forwent his
fame, his rights and his popularity to devote all his time to his children.
He embraced the cross in his life. He kept with him two expiation rods, one for use, the
other for substitute. But his essential mortification was his total dedication to his children day
and night, offering them spiritual and physical foods. He did not overlook his commitment to
the young through his activities in the groups such as Boy Scouts, Young Christian Students,
and his service to the intellectuals, etc… Moreover, we can list here four types of cross that
Fr. Dupont had to bear:
The first cross was his life isolated from his superiors. Fr. Braga, his provincial, was
always on the move, from Macao to Hong Kong and Shanghai, while their correspondence
was often delayed, sometimes even lost. After Italy joined World War II, Fr. Braga was
almost isolated in Shanghai and could no longer communicate with Macao.
A second cross came from the person who otherwise should have helped him most, and
in fact he really wanted to do so, but life is often a paradox! It was Fr. Petit, a 27 year old
Salesian. After completing his military service, Petit worked as a secretary in Africa for two
years, finished his philosophy studies and practical training, then studied theology in
Bangkok, Thailand. He was ordained priest in 1939, stayed in Thailand for two years as a
teacher and missionary, then went to Shanghai for one year, and by the end of 1941 he was
sent to Hà Nội to help Fr. Dupont. His collaboration was good in the beginning, but with his
rigid character, he later became a thorn in Fr. Dupont’s flesh, as we said above. Fr. Dupont
himself admitted: “This is a saint with whom I find it difficult for an apostolic cooperation.”
He hated Fr. Dupont’s taking care of other apostolic activities by his extreme zeal; he
complained about Fr. Dupont’s over-hospitality, and was not pleased with his over-generosity
7 Cfr. the report of Jean Dialmas in RPFDP p. 140.
56
|
|
7.5 Page 65 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 9: The Beginning of Salesian Works in Vietnam 57
and tolerance towards guests. As for Fr. Dupont, in spite of so much difficulty, he was always
yielding and complying with Fr. Petit’s desire.
A third cross was Fr. Dupont’s signing the contract with a term requiring the consent of
the orphanage administration in the admission or dismissal of any children. In fact, in the
case he found among his children a black sheep whom in his Salesian conscience he needed
to dismiss for the good of other children, he was forbidden to do so by the contract.
And the last one was that he was not free in using money for the necessary expenses. In
one instance, he wanted to solemnly celebrate St. John Bosco’s Day, but the orphanage’s
bursar refused to provide him with money, saying this was not written in the contract.
As Rector of the orphanage, Fr. Dupont saw the need of providing the children with a
trade. Together with the Association’s president, he intended to open a trade school for a
hundred children. He also wanted to have Latin classes for the promotion of religious
vocations.8
He also received and notified to the Provincial about an offer from the Bishop of Sài Gòn
to open there an orphanage and a large printing house. Evidently, to do this, Fr. Dupont asked
Fr. Braga to send Salesians including priests, clerics and lay brothers. He thought it was quite
easy, while Fr. Braga could not easily find those confreres, and even if there were, how to
take them from Shanghai.
When accepting the direction of the Orphanage, Fr. Dupont had turned his back against a
bright future that was awaiting him with his capacity, his eloquence and also his
acquaintances. Although the Orphanage was cherished by the benefactors, by the Governor
and all sorts of pensions, nevertheless what it lacked was a spirit of piety and love, and each
one lived for oneself only and without thinking of the future.
He tried to create good spirit in the Orphanage. He told his children: “Dear sons, I am
responsible for educating you with the method of Don Bosco. This method is not complicate.
It is thus: From now on, I give you my heart; and in your turn you also should give me your
heart, and you’ll see everything go on wonderfully!” He also considered organizing the
Associations of Past Pupils and Cooperators.
After three years of hard work in the Orphanage, Fr. Dupont was almost exhausted. His
face became thinner, his eyes blackened after sleepless nights.
In 1943, he sent to Fr. Braga worrying letters in which he presented his difficulties, his
complaints about receiving no replies. He also asked for more confreres and said that unless
the conditions changed, we had better not extend the contract when it expired. But poor Fr.
Braga was in such a situation that he was locked in Shanghai and could do nothing even for
Hong Kong and Macao, still less for Vietnam. Even in Shiuchow, Bishop Canazei also
complained about not receiving any letters from the Provincial, while on the contrary the
Daughters of Mary Help of Christians could still receive letters from their Superior who was
then in Shanghai. This was really a mystery about the postal system in time of war!
In 1943, the war situation grew more and more serious. American aircrafts from their
bases in Kunming, Guangdong, made heavy raids in Indochina, while the Japanese increased
their raids in Guangdong and South Vietnam. As for the land forces, they had occupied Sài
Gòn on June 6, but their expansion was about to stop. Under American pressure, they began
to withdraw from the Pacific.
8 See Jean Dialmas and Robert Orsini’s witnesses in RPFDP.
|
|
7.6 Page 66 |
▲back to top |
58 Chapter 9: The Beginning of Salesian Works in Vietnam
Hà Nội was among the cities heavily bombarded by the Americans, and so the René
Robin Orphanage was hit too, and in December 1943 our two Salesians had to take the
children to Ke So parish, where there was a small seminary for the Vietnamese. The place
was 70 kilometers from Hà Nội. When they came there, they were granted a block to live in.
There was no sympathy between the seminarians and the Eurasian orphans. Imbued with
xenophobia, they did not dare to show any reaction when the French and the Japanese were
still in power, but now that power had been transferred to the anti-French and anti-Japanese
revolutionaries, anything might happened… It was for this reason that after a while, Fr. Petit
took a group of children back to Hà Nội, while Fr. Dupont remained in Ke So with most of
the children.
A report on Fr. Dupont’s martyrdom
On August 10 1945, at noon, Fr. Cantaloupe notified Fr. Dupont that both of them were
threatened to be killed because they were against the independence of Vietnam (then called
Indochina). An anonymous person from Ke So had revealed that their fate had already been
decided on). Fr. Dupont called his pupil Robert Orsini and Mrs. Dubois into his room and
said: “I said this on oath: I was threatened to be killed together with Fr. Cantaloupe, because
they considered me as against Vietnam’s independence.” Fr. Dupont and Fr. Cantaloupe
therefore intended to go to Phu Ly to ask for the Japanese’s permit to go to Hà Nội.
At the Orphanage, he was also recommended to leave right away for Hà Nội or at least
for Phu Ly. He eventually took decision and told us: “I’ll go to Phu Ly this afternoon. I’ll try
to ask the Japanese’s permit to go to Hà Nội and I’ll be back tomorrow (i.e. August 8 1945)
with some trucks.
At 2.00 pm, he left after recommending us not to tell the children so as not to frighten
them. Fr. Dupont arrived by bicycle in Phu Ly before Fr. Canteloupe, and went directly to the
Japanese, but he was told to wait for the next day, so he came back to Ke So. He encountered
Fr. Canteloupe who was on the way to Phu Ly. Fr. Dupont appeared to be concerned because
he had not asked permit for the Phu Ly’s parish priest as well as for Fr. Canteloupe. That was
why he let Fr. Canteloupe continue his way to Phu Ly to ask permission for himself and for
Fr. Coste de Saint-Etienne, the parish priest. For safety’s sake, Fr. Canteloupe wanted to
persuade Fr. Dupont to accompany him to Phu Ly, but Fr. Dupont replied: “Go alone,
because you are not responsible for the children. As for me, I have to stay with my children.”
When he was back to Ke So and the children reproached him for going back, he told them: “I
am aware that if those who wanted to kill me don’t see me here, they may take revenge by
harming you; moreover I only do good, I preach concord between the French and the
Vietnamese. Come what should come! I’ve done my best to save myself… Everyone dies just
once… My conscience is at peace, and Our Virgin Mary will protect me!...”9
And Fr. Dupont was assassinated on August 10 1945. His death has been described by
several witnesses in this way:
“That night Fr. Dupont decided to stay the night with his children. As usual, the senior
boys took turn two by two to keep guard during the night. Suddenly at 11.00 pm, they came
to wake him up because they were alerted by flashes. About 20 armed people intruded to
overwhelm him. One of them kept watch over the children with a machine gun while another
pointed his revolver at him. Fr. Dupont prayed the contrition act loudly. The killers accused
him for liaison with the Japanese and ordered him to hand them money. They stuffed a piece
of cloth into his mouth then bounded his hands with bamboo strings that cut into his flesh. He
9
58
|
|
7.7 Page 67 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 9: The Beginning of Salesian Works in Vietnam 59
claimed innocence but in vain. They led him down to the ground floor and began their
investigation. After that, they dragged him barefooted in his pajamas for two or three
kilometers across the fields. Then they led him to a riverside where they killed him and threw
his body in water. In the next morning, people found out that his body had been thrown in
water, and after a long and difficult search, they managed to take his body to the bank, after
he had been drown in water for a night and a morning. There were one or two shot holes in
his forehead and several deep cuts in his flanks.
In the meanwhile, at 50 meters from where Fr. Dupont was taken away, the killers also
came to the quarters of the MEP Fathers in search for Fr. Canteloupe. Not finding him, they
killed Fr. Baron who weekly came to the Orphanage to hear the children’s confession, then
left his dead body on his bed. They also searched through the clothes and linen and took away
2,000 dollars of the MEP.10
The two lamented Fathers were buried the next day, on a Sunday, in a very solemn
funeral ceremonial. The assassination occurred close to the independence event. In those
disturbing conditions, it was likely that those killers were armed gangs who wanted to take
the credit by destroying those who they thought were against Vietnam’s independence. As Fr.
Dupont did not do politics, they alleged him as pro-Japanese, making him a victim of their
personal ambition. Calling them bandits is not an overstatement, because they not only kill
but they also rob.
After Fr. Dupont’s death, Fr. Petit took over the care of the children till 1947 when he
accompanied 30 orphans to France where they were admitted in the Salesian houses in Nice
and Marseille.
On some day in 1940, Fr. Dupont wrote to his sister: “We should make propitiation for
the sins of the world. Can a beautiful world emerge from the atrocities of the war? As
Christians, we do hope so. Can we make a beautiful world out of the sufferings and blood?
Let us pray for this difficult emergence…”11
Thus ended the first Salesian works in Vietnam.
Though this Orphanage was a first Salesian work in Vietnam, it was not intended for the
pure Vietnamese children but for Eurasian orphans, that is for children having a French father
and a Vietnamese mother.
In a letter in 1946 to Mrs. Dupont, Fr. Dupont’s sister, Jean Dialmas, one of Fr. Dupont’s
past pupils, explained the significance of Fr. Dupont’s work in Vietnam in these notes:
“First of all, there were Eurasian children who wanted to live as Vietnamese but enjoying
the rights and privileges of the French in a colony. These children often became corrupted,
scorned by the French, while they themselves were unable to love the French. Fr. Dupont
took care of these abandoned children just because he loved them. He wanted the Salesians to
help him. Even with the aid of Fr. Petit alone, the benefits surpassed all other helps from the
secular people. That was why he wanted the Salesians’ coming to develop Salesians works in
Vietnam. By deciding to stay with his poor Eurasian orphans until death, he proved his love
for the Eurasian children, and now that he is in heaven, he desires that the Salesians also
continue taking care of these children. He moreover hopes that, with his death as a spring
10 Robert Orsini, Orphanage’s past pupil in RPFDP, p. 121.
11 RPFDP, p. 109 (quoted in Bollettino Salesiano).
|
|
7.8 Page 68 |
▲back to top |
60 Chapter 9: The Beginning of Salesian Works in Vietnam
board, the Salesians would be launched into this service for these Eurasian children in Don
Bosco’s spirit.”12
As we have said earlier, the Salesians later came to Vietnam in 1952 to take over Fr.
Seitz (‘Cha Kim’, in Vietnamese) works.13 It was Fr. Dupont’s martyrdom blood for the
service of poor children in Vietnam that was a real blessing for the future development of
Salesian works that were taken up by Fr. Andrej Majcen through innumerable sufferings and
trials. Fr. Majcen himself admitted this in a letter to Fr. Dupont’s sister.
On the meaning of this death, we give here some of the most trustworthy witnesses on
Fr. Dupont.
5) Some witnesses on Fr. Dupont
Governor Decoux’s letter to Mr. Durget (Fr. Dupont’s brother-in-law)
Normandie September 18 1955
Dear Durget,
Through the Minister of Naval Affairs I timely received your letter dated May 5
notifying me of the body of your memorable brother-in-law, Fr. Dupont, SDB.
Due to serious reasons (my long absence and my wife’s bad health), I was unable to
reply to thank you for the moving information in the letter.
I was a close acquaintance of Fr. Dupont, who greatly helped me with all his strength,
his intelligence and his heart, from 1939 to 1945, during my entire office term as
Governor of French Indochina.
He acted as my interpreter in my talks with the Japanese and above all when I
commissioned him Director of the boarding school for Eurasian children in 1942.
He was a saint and a great Frenchman. His death was worth his life: a martyrdom.
I would be very happy if you could share Fr. Dupont’s impressions on Indochina, and
other information about where and when his burial could definitely be done.
Should it be necessary to reinter his body in France? This in my opinion should be
discussed. As for me, I would rather our dear missionary rested in the very place where
he died for his faith and for his patriotism.
In my own case, I have decided that my cherished wife who died in Indochina on the
Epiphany in 1944 be buried in Dalat definitely.
I no less desire to know Fr. Dupont’s interment place (perhaps in Tassin)14 where I
will come some day to see you and to pray before his grave.
Please convey my greetings to all the members of Fr. Dupont’s family, and be assured
that I remain
Most devotedly yours,
DECOUX
12 Jean Dialmas’s letter to Mrs. Dupont, 1946, in RPFDP p. 159.
13 Mario Rassiga, Fr. Andrej Majcen, pp. 113-115.
14 Fr. Dupont’s native soil.
60
|
|
7.9 Page 69 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 9: The Beginning of Salesian Works in Vietnam 61
A Memorandum written by Fr. Petit, Fr. Dupont’s collaborator in Vietnam
FR. DUPONT: A MISSIONARY
Many of us already know and love Fr. Dupont, but to help our young confreres know
him better, I will quote some research articles of TERESIO BOSCO on the Salesians’ works
in Indochina. Fr. Dupont has played a primary leadership role. His experience is worth being
re-actualized.
Pearl Harbor: December 1941. Japanese occupation of Indochina after 60 years of
French presence. Among the Movements for national liberation there emerged in 1941 the
Vietminh Movement as the most organized forces, under the leadership of Ho Chi Minh and
also with the participation of the Catholics. The armed troops were chiefly communists,
under the command of the history professor Giap.
It was at that date that the first Salesian came to Vietnam. He was Fr. Dupont, a
Frenchman. Finding no ship to return to France, he was kept in Hải Phòng where he was a
friend of Fr. Seitz, MEP, who took care of the abandoned children, the “children of war.” A
distinguished orator, Fr. Dupont was also a good organizer. Knowing that he was available,
the Bishop of Hải Phòng asked him to open an Orphanage for the French-Vietnamese
children who were abandoned in those disturbing days. With the help of another priest, Fr.
Petit, he engaged himself in this mission: Within a few months he managed to gather about
250 children and set up classes for them.
On November 11, 1941 Ho Chi Minh organized a total guerrilla war. On August 15 1845
Japan surrendered the Allies and the whole of Vietnam was under the rule of the Vietminh.
The communists grew more and more hostile to the foreign missionaries. They accused him
for being an imperialist cadre, hiding weapons, and destroying dikes leading to the famine.
Still, he was accused for destructive activities such as burning the churches and attacking the
monasteries. He was often threatened with death.
One night a gang came on trucks and intruded the Orphanage. With machine guns they
ordered the children to freeze, then took Fr. Dupont away before their eyes. They dragged
him across the fields then took him to the riverside. In the morning, Mrs. Dubois and the
children went out to search for their friend’s body. They found his body floating on the river
with wounds in his forehead and in his flanks. He suffered martyrdom by his love for his
abandoned children.
A few years later… Fr. Seitz, a friend and collaborator of Fr. Dupont, purchased a large
plot of land and created a “boys town” in the American model of Fr. Flanagan, where 450
children could live in peace and joy. Appointed Bishop of Kon Tum in 1952, the new bishop
was not sure who he would hand these children to. He prayed to Don Bosco, and wrote a
letter to the Rector Major of the Salesians. And two Salesians who had been expelled from
China came to Vietnam. And other Salesians have come to Vietnam since then.
Overcoming so many tribulations, the sons of Don Bosco in Vietnam have written a
great story in the footsteps of Fr. Dupont.
A homily by Fr. Micolon, Fr. Dupont’s old friend, on the 40th anniversary of Fr.
Dupont’s death
Forty years have passed since Fr. Dupont risked his life for his children whom he refused
to abandon by running away from Ke So. Two of his pupils have told me the detailed story of
his death in the night of August 10 1845.
|
|
7.10 Page 70 |
▲back to top |
62 Chapter 9: The Beginning of Salesian Works in Vietnam
Fr. Dupont’s family and Fr. Galard have wanted me to present the figure of this young
religious.
Fr. Dupont died at 37, very young. In that space of time he has covered a longer way
than what we can do by our very long life. What strikes me most in this dear friend is that he
has willingly chosen for himself the way of self-denial full of hardships and sufferings, the
way of the cross Jesus himself has taken, a unique way that bears abundant fruits: “Unless a
grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.”
When he was still very young, Dupont already had clearly discovered his natural
inclination which he should not let himself fall in, a temptation which he should courageously
deny: pride. With his companions, he wanted to control them and he had true leadership. He
had the ability to inspire by his eloquence and persuasion, and an attractive writing skill, all
those extraordinary gifts he was aware of. He expressed it by the motto: “Become a value to
be able to serve others well!” It implied a search for vain glory and honor for himself, instead
of searching for God’s glory only. This dangerous temptation was very soon detected by him.
He therefore chose for his life the proverb taken from the Imitation of Christ: “Love the way
of not being known!” “Love that others ignore you!” (ama nesciri). “Love to be without
fame” (et pro nihilo reputari). This was the way that Jesus, our great brother, had chosen in
order to save the world: “Christ Jesus Who, being in very nature God, did not consider
equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature
of a servant, being made in human likeness. And … he humbled himself and became
obedient to death—even death on a cross!”
All Dupont’s life was a journey against his natural inclination. That was the thread that
ran through all the episodes of his life.
When he was in the Grand Seminary, he did not decide to become a religious of a great
Order leading him to high position in learning, but he chose a small, little known
congregation with the sole purpose of serving the poor and abandoned youth: the Salesian
Congregation of Don Bosco!
His superiors soon discovered his gifts, and they let him work under Fr. Auffray, a
biographer of Don Bosco, and be trained by him. A very promising writing career was ahead
him!
But once more, seeing this as a danger, he asked to go for the missions. With this, he no
longer worried to be tempted by becoming famous with his literary skills, because the
Japanese language he had to learn was too difficult for him to speak it fluently! Then the war
broke out. Dupont was mobilized in Indochina. Thanks to his Japanese, he was appointed by
Admiral Decoux as his interpreter. He frequented the French upper class in Hà Nội and was
successful with his discourses and sermons. Thus he once again encountered the danger of
pride, so he dropped it to dedicate himself entirely to the service of the poor Eurasian
children who were abandoned by society.
Fr. Dupont has always followed this direction, this I do not overstate. In 1935 my friend
Dupont wrote to me: “Nothing matters if my whole life is a humble missionary with little
success in this world, but I could save as many souls to eternity!” Yes, nothing matters! Pleas
listen to this confession: “There were moments when I was overwhelmed by dreams of pride,
but there were other moments I only loved to be forgotten—I loved to be unknown (ama
nesciri), that I was seen as nothing! And above all, I loved martyrdom!” God has accepted
my dear Dupont’s desire. If you had lived longer, you could have become a bishop as Fr.
Seitz did! You did have the qualities! But God wanted to give you another crown: the
martyr’s corona.
62
|
|
8 Pages 71-80 |
▲back to top |
|
|
8.1 Page 71 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 9: The Beginning of Salesian Works in Vietnam 63
Fr. Dupont prepared himself by burying himself in the lowness of an orphanage. It was
during this time that he soared as fast as an arrow. A profound interior transformation was
completed in him! Let us compare his two photos: one when he first entered the
congregation, and the other at the end of his life! Yes, in this latter, his eyes reflect interior
depth: from a man in command, he became a good man; his face was so serene, his forehead
radiant, and all his figure became spiritual.
He was ready to give a witness to love at its peak: giving his own life for the ones he
loved!
“Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it
bears much fruit.”15
A Letter of Fr. Majcen from Slovenia to Mrs. Durget, Fr. Dupont’s sister16
Ljubljana, September 14 1987
Dear Mrs. Dupont,
On August 10 every year, I never forgot you and your brother, Fr. Dupont. The face of
this Salesian apostle always appeared before my eyes, just as when I saw him in Hải Phòng.
After 42 years, his face still shines radiantly before the Church of Vietnam.
I am convinced that his martyrdom is an eloquent proof that now in heaven, our dear
Francisque Dupont and Mary Help of Christians always protect a number of approximately
100 Salesians in Vietnam… I experienced his protection from the years 1945 to 1954, then in
1967,17 and from 1976 to 1976, when the “Damocles’s sword at the neck”18 was about to tear
down the Salesian presence in the North and South Vietnam.
Now in 1987, there are 100 Salesians in Vietnam distributed into 14 groups or parishes.
The most important group was in Dalat with 20 clerics waiting to be ordained. Until now
only one among my friends has been ordained and two other non-Salesians in Dalat and
Baoloc.
It was truly a miracle when we are about to finish building a Salesian church in Bathon
near Sài Gòn and have completed the construction of Our Lady Help of Christians church
near Giakiem. In May we have been able to gather the Salesian Family including the
Salesians, the Daughters19 of Mary Help of Christians, the Past Pupils and the pupils,
including the alumni of Mgr. Seitz, a great friend and collaborator of Fr. Dupont. Both Mgr.
Seitz and Fr. Dupont have worked for the poor and abandoned children in the Vietnam war
and now they are enjoying happiness with God and we are confident that they are really
together in heaven. If there is any publication on the two persons (Fr. Dupont and Mgr.
Seitz), I would be very glad to receive one.
Fr. Provincial Peter De in Xuan Hiep has written to me that he has collected all the
important materials for a History of Salesians Works in Vietnam so as to hand it on to the
15 RPFDP, 190.
16 RPFDP, p. 202.
17 Fr. Majcen referred to the Mau Than attack that was prepared from 1967 and broke out in the beginning of
1968.
18 An imminent danger.
19 The French translation reads “frères de Marie Auxiliatrice”, but probably it should read “filles de Marie
Auxiliatrice,” or “Daughters of Mary Help of Christians”.
|
|
8.2 Page 72 |
▲back to top |
64 Chapter 9: The Beginning of Salesian Works in Vietnam
young Vietnamese Salesians. The glorious history of the Salesians in Vietnam was born from
the blood of an apostle of Vietnamese youth.
My health is not good enough to come to visit you and to contact those who had some
relationship with Fr. Dupont and many other Salesian friends of mine.
Excuse me for not being able to write in French.20 My best wishes especially for your
good health, together with Our Lady’s blessing.
Fr. Andrej MAJCEN
SOME TRAITS OF FR. DUPONT’S DELICATE HEART
Others have given me life and I am grateful, but you, my dear good aunt, you have given
me an atmosphere in which my vocation has been able to germ and flourish. You have given
me your sacrifices and your life, your heart and your happiness, so that I can soon ascend to
God’s altar, thanks to your affection, charity and all your dedication.
From a letter to his aunt, May 1938
At thirty, if we look back, nothing is more beautiful than contemplating the souvenirs of
a pure friendship in youth. Nothing richer or more pleasant than this. It probably is the only
souvenir that lasts forever.
From an article to the Young Christian Students, February 1941
I am very happy in my vocation, because the Most Holy Master appears to be more and
more gentle, affectionate and visible to his missionaries. This does not mean he sometimes let
us alone facing our own thinking, with our heart of flesh, but at that cost we save our soul!
From a letter to his brother-in-law
How wonderful the world of pure hearts! How good it is to be a Salesian! This vocation
is the mission of introducing God into those souls that are not possessed by Satan, of having a
fragment of the sky, of bringing an ideal into the small hearts. O God, I thank you for calling
me.
From a letter to a priest friend
May God bless your husband, your home, your children. May he transform you into a
saint, a wife and mother of an exemplary family, an apostle, an exemplary Christian. May he
keep you in his grace, all the days of your life, and may all we see each other again in heaven,
where we can love each other more than when we are on earth, and never part from each
other!
From his Spiritual Testament, a letter left to his sister before
his departure for the missions, September 2 1934
I can’t love by halves! This is why I have to part from you. I can’t love God, love the
souls, love my beloved by halves. That is my suffering this afternoon, as it is yours. But it
will be our joy and glory tomorrow. Let Jesus bandage our wounds.
From a letter to his sister
20 Fr. Majcen wrote this letter in his Slovene.
64
|
|
8.3 Page 73 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 9: The Beginning of Salesian Works in Vietnam 65
The soaring fits of his soul
Oh! How beautiful our portion is! How splendid our life is! Let’s also give ourselves
wholly to our good Jesus, to our King of love! Please remember that you can be a greatest
missionary behind the bars. I’ll soon reap fruits; I’ll speak, act, but it is you who plays the
role that merits the salvation of so many souls, and then throw them in my poor net. From this
moment, you and I, we’ll sow seeds.
From a letter to his aunt in the Visitation Congregation
I can’t forget it. They may reproach me of my big mistakes, but I have a heart. God will
be pleased to receive me because I love him. I spread my wings to soar up. My going to
missions is a soaring fit. The more we accept parting on this earth, the more we will be
reunited intimately in our Father’s house. That’s for sure!
Quoted from a letter
A vocation is a set of so many unknown, silent and far away actions, so many hidden
prayers and unexpected sacrifices. It is the reaching point of so many lives that find their
meaning in the summit of this Cross, at the top of this altar where a young priest can say:
This is My Body!”
From a letter on his ordination day June 29 1938
I’m going to be a priest on June 29 1938… I’ll offer myself as a holocaust… so that I
won’t betray the friendship of my God and my Master, the expectations of the souls whose
cry for mercy and whose sufferings awaken in me the desire to dedicate myself in their
service… I don’t want to betray the trust of the Church and the Congregation. My heart feels
so small and weak before so many graces God has given me. I feel as if I were in ecstasy
before the pinnacle Christ want to lead me to, in order to drink his chalice and offer the
Calvary sacrifice to his Father.
From a letter on his ordination day June 29 1938
We should make propitiation for the sins of the world. Can a beautiful world emerge
from the atrocities of the war? As Christians, we do hope so. Can we make a beautiful world
out of the sufferings and blood? Let us pray for this difficult emergence…
In any case, I find myself lonely, but as a priest, I’m close to Christ, close to my God. I
have Our Lady, the Mass. That’s absolutely great, and that’s all!
From his last letter that reached France during war
The farther I am from my country and from my beloved, the more I miss them, love
them, live with them and be united with them.
From a letter from Tokyo, March 24 1935
I know I’m loved by so many people. This however should not stop the beating of my
Christian heart that has heard of God’s call… Yes, I’m determined to go for the missions.
From a letter dated September 11 1934
The call to missions
I should go to Japan… I understand the pain of my beloved. But I cannot resist God’s
call, the call for a harvest from that far land. I must remember the words of the Master:
“Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who
|
|
8.4 Page 74 |
▲back to top |
66 Chapter 9: The Beginning of Salesian Works in Vietnam
loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me...” Now I feel very lonely. It
should be so at the turns of our lives. Please therefore pray for me, especially for my
beloved… God will bless our sacrifices.
From a letter to a priest friend, September 23 1934
May my name be humbly written in the list of the Near East missionaries who have
glorified their country and their Faith!
From a letter on his ordination day June 29 1938
An aspiration for martyrdom
I dream of the mission lands, of the arduous apostolate in these wild, unexplored regions.
Even Russia attracts me… I want to come to these young atheists, to bring Christ to them in
the prisons, in the exile, and to suffer and even die there.
From a letter to a priest friend, December 24 1933
I am convinced of God’s call. This is the deepest reason of my departure. In addition,
there is an expiation ideal, a desire to live a harder and holier life… even though I remain in
all my life just a humble missionary, perhaps with no much success on this earth, provided
that with my holy life I can save forever many souls that I will know in heaven. Yes, what
matters all the rest? At times my mind was filled with proud dreams; but at other times I
desired to be forgotten, to be humiliated, to suffer martyrdom!
From a letter to a priest friend, September 23 1935
I have parted from my Christians in deep sadness and pain. What a great sacrifice! All of
them love me and I loved them. Until I return safe after the war, every month they will attend
a Mass on the day of my departure. I am also willing to offer my life to them and to all my
beloved, if God wants it. If I die, please notify my Christians that I have offered them my life.
I earnestly ask this of you. I will keep my words.
From a letter to his sister when he was mobilized, from Tokyo September 11 1939
A Prayer to Fr. Dupont
O God, you enkindled
in the heart of your servant Francisque Dupont
the fire of a living faith, a burning charity
and a tireless zeal.
Give us the grace to follow his example.
We earnestly pray you to show us
his merits he had in you,
through your heavenly gifts.
O God, accept our prayer
that in your benevolent design
your humble servant be glorified
by Mother Church whom he always loved
with his whole heart. Amen.
66
|
|
8.5 Page 75 |
▲back to top |
CHAPTER 10: ACCEPTING THE INVITATION OF
THE NEW BISHOP PAUL SEITZ
1. Mgr. Paul Seitz and his Works
Fr. Seitz (Vietnamese: Cha Kim), of the Society of Foreign Missions of Paris (MEP),
came to Vietnam in 1930. After he had mastered the Vietnamese language, he became Dean
of Hà Nội Cathedral. By his zealous service to the French-Vietnamese children, the Bishop
entrusted him with the care of the Catholic schools. In 1940, in need of a space for religious
activities of the young, he bought a large plot of land in Ba Vì, Son Tay, at a nominal price of
1 dong. On this hilly land at 800 m above sea-level, with the help of benefactors, he built a
camping plot with board and lodging, a chapel, meeting rooms, kitchens and store-rooms,
then took the young there for summer holidays, camping and retreats.
In 1941 war spread to the countryside, the young became destitute and had to go to Hà
Nội to find a job. Those who were jobless wandered in the streets to ask for alms, or became
thieves. The professional criminals took advantage of this situation to gang up, creating a
serious problem for society that the police could not know how to solve.
Moved by pity, Fr. Seitz engaged himself in the education of these poor youngsters. He
took to Ba Vì eighty of these poor boys who had became thieves. Thus the camping site of Ba
Vì became the Theresa Orphanage. In the following years, the communists managed to
occupy many areas, including Ba Vì. Some of the boys were taken away by the communists,
while the others fled to the chief district of Son Tay and were received in the Seminary. Fr.
Seitz came to their aid, then accompanied them to find a new abode. They had to move
several times, because where they believed they could stay longer had become dangerous.
They eventually stopped at Truc Lam, not far from Hà Nội, and they lived at the former
palace of the Viceroy of Tonkin named Hoang Cao Khai. This had once been an aspirantate
of the Redemptorists but they had moved to another place. Fr. Seitz then invited the Sisters of
the Lovers of the Cross in Hà Nội to come and entrusted them with the care of a kindergarten,
a maternity school, then an elementary school and all the rest. To fight the communists,
government aircrafts bombarded all those areas where the communists were suspected to
have their shelter. Consequently the Ba Vì camping site was also bombed and destroyed.
Later, Fr. Majcen, who was heir of Fr. Seitz in the possession of this site, was paid 1,000,000
dong for war indemnity.
In 1950 Fr. Seitz enlarged the land with the purchase of rice fields, then with Fr. Vacher
Vuong, his chief helper, he set up there a boys-town in the model of the American vagabonds
boys-towns and changed its name to the City of Christ the King, though still retaining its
former name of Theresa Orphanage. For many years he had cherished the dream to entrust
this work to the Salesians. On June 18 1952, after he was appointed bishop of Kon Tum in
Central Vietnam, he immediately asked permission from his Superior, Fr. Pancolet, and his
bishop to transfer the direction of the City of Christ the King to the Salesians. He got their
permission and on August 13, Mgr. Trinh Nhu Khue wrote a letter to Fr. Ziggiotti, Rector
Major of the Salesians. The Rector Major wrote a letter to Fr. Braga. Fr. Braga at once sent
Fr. Roozen, provincial economer, to come for an inquiry. Fr. Roozen on his return wrote a
very nice report. It was sent to Turin and the demand was granted. On August 18 1952, Fr.
Ziggiotti wrote a letter to the bishop to make the arrangements with Fr. Braga on personnel.
Being in Turin at that time, Fr. Braga wrote to Fr. Giacomino Minh and the letter arrived on
67
|
|
8.6 Page 76 |
▲back to top |
68 Chapter 10: Accepting the Invitation of the New Bishop Paul Seitz
September 15, in which he was ordered to get ready to become a Rector in Vietnam and to
take Fr. Majcen along with him.21
That was the beginning of the Orphanage work in Ba Vì, with the moving of the children
to Son Tay, at the school Lacordaire, a seminary that had been ruined by the bombardments,
then to another place called Thai Ha Ap (Thai Ha Fief), near a pagoda built on the relics of
the Chinese soldiers killed by King Quang Trung Nguyen Hue at Dong Da Hill. The palace
of Viceroy Hoang Cao Khai (1850-1933) was also located there.
Thai Ha Ap and Fr. Seitz’s Orphanage
Thai Ha Ap and its context. — On the 5th day of Ky Dau lunar New Year (1789),
Nguyen Hue (King Quang Trung) in the battle at Dong Da hill defeated 200,000 Manchu
soldiers under Ton Si Nghi’s command and liberated Thang Long citadel. On Dong Da hill
(Thai Ha Ap, Hà Nội suburb), Manchu’s corpses piled up as a hill. After this spectacular
victory, every year the Vietnamese have an anniversary celebration at Dong Da, and by their
compassion, they also offer incense on Dong Da hill to pray for the souls of the defeated.
Thai Ha Ap (Thai Ha Fief) was located in the land of four villages: Thinh Quang, Nam
Dong, Khuong Thuong, and Yen Lang. It was called “Ap” (“fief”) because it was granted as
a “reward” by the French colonialists to the Viceroy of Tonkin Hoang Cao Khai for his
service. The Viceroy had a palace built in this “Ap”.
Fr. Seitz later borrowed Hoang Cao Khai’s palace to bring up the orphans. Among the
children brought there by Fr. Seitz was the boy Joseph Nguyen Van Tho who later became a
Salesian lay brother. Another alumni of Fr. Seitz’s orphanage was the boy John Nguyen Van
Ty who later became a Salesian priest and then became Rector Major’s Delegate in Vietnam
from 1975 to 1986, having responsibility for about 100 Vietnamese Salesians.
At this point we can conclude the proto-history of Salesian works in Vietnam. Before
1952, that is from 1935 onward, Salesians only passed through Vietnam, and I have followed
the Salesian itinerary in Vietnam mainly through the accounts of Fr. Kerec and Fr. Braga, in
particular in what concerned the Salesian works and the martyrdom of Fr. Dupont, who shed
his blood to lead Vietnamese works through difficulties: that is what I am convinced of. Yes,
it was from 1935 to 1951 that from the distant Kunming I began to be involved in the
Salesian life in North Vietnam.
2. Fr. Giacomino and Fr. Majcen’s acceptance of Mgr. Seitz’s invitation
The new Bishop Paul Seitz invited the Salesians to Vietnam, while Fr. Braga was ready
for the acceptance and sent Fr. Majcen and Fr. Giacomino to Hà Nội. The things evolved as
follows:
1. On June 16 1952, Fr. Seitz, director of the Theresa Orphanage, was appointed bishop
of Kon Tum, a highland province in Central Vietnam. He had cherished the dream to
have the Salesians take over its direction and he presented it to his superior, Fr.
Pancolet, the newly appointed Provincial of the MEP, and it was accepted. Mgr. Seitz
then consulted Mgr. Trinh Nhu Khue, bishop of Hà Nội, and got the bishop’s
consent.
2. On July 13 1952, Mgr. Khue asked Don Renato Ziggiotti, Rector Major of the
Salesians, to take over Mgr. Seitz’s Orphanage and to send his Salesians.
3. Fr. Ziggiotti consulted Fr. Braga who made the inquiry in relation to these 3 points:
21 Mario Rassiga, Fr. Andrej Majcen, pp. 115-117.
68
|
|
8.7 Page 77 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 10: Accepting the Invitation of the New Bishop Paul Seitz 69
a) First, I (Fr. Majcen) want to relate the historic meeting, at least for me, with Fr.
Braga at St. Genaro’s Hospital in Macao. “How are you?” Fr. Braga asked me
happily and somewhat solemnly. “Fine,” I replied. “The operation of my folded
spleen was successful.” Fr. Braga said at once: “Very well. So I have decided and
will write to Archbishop of Cebu that you are not going to Cebu as I told you, but
you will go to Hà Nội. Fr. Seitz, an acquaintance of yours, and who has just been
appointed bishop, has asked us Salesians to take over his orphanage.” And Fr.
Braga continued: “I think I will send you and Fr. Giacomino to Hà Nội, because
you know the priests and bishop of Hà Nội, and you speak French quite well, and
especially you know there are many vocations there. Therefore try to have
Salesian vocations. Now we have to wait for the Rector Major’s answer. For the
moment do not say any word about your new obedience… I’ll nominate Fr.
Antonio Giacomino as your rector, the first Salesian rector in Vietnam. As you
are still very weak, please be Fr. Giacomino’s helper… Well, let us keep the
matter between ourselves… No more comment is needed…” And I could do
nothing but thank God.
b) On the other hand, Fr. Braga sent Fr. Roozen, a Hollander and provincial
economer, to go to Hà Nội to draft a report. Before going, he asked me about
some characteristics of Hà Nội’s life… And Fr. Roozen made a report of several
pages (now kept at the Pisana Archives) in which he presented a brief history of
the Ba Vì Orphanage and on its transfer to Thai Ha ap, on its site, its children and
its financial situation as well as the project to hand it over to the Salesians. On his
return to Hong Kong, he showed me the report which made me very impressed
because it was very optimistic and encouraging, although Fr. Roozen did not hide
the fact that Vietnam was in a very dangerous situation of war and politics.
c) In the meanwhile the Salesian Bishop Caretto in Thailand also wrote to the
Rector Major Fr. Ziggiotti encouraging the acceptance of Mgr. Seitz’s orphanage
as a very typical Salesian work and had been carefully prepared. Mgr. Caretto
often told me that he would exhort the Rector Major to accept this orphanage of
Mgr. Seitz.
4. On August 18 1952, Fr. Ziggiotti answered Mgr. Trinh Nhu Khue, bishop of Hà Nội,
that the Salesian Congregation accepted Mgr. Seitz’s works in Hà Nội and
commissioned the Salesian Provincial of China (then becoming the China-Vietnam
Province) to make arrangements for the sending of the first Salesians. Of course the
Rector Major had previously had an agreement with Fr. Braga on the agenda.
5. Fr. Braga had a meeting with Fr. Ziggiotti in Turin, and on September 15 1952, Fr.
Giacomino received a letter from Fr. Braga saying that, with the consent of the
Rector Major, Fr. Giacomino was sent to Hà Nội as Superior-Rector and Fr. Majcen
as vice-rector due to his experiences and knowledge on the what was necessary there.
6. Thus at the Macao Secondary School, I prepared myself for this letter of obedience.
The results of my operations on May 13 and in June were very good, my health
improved. I prayed a great deal,22 I prayed Mgr. Versiglia to help me, and asked for
his intercession to Don Bosco and Mary Help of Christians as he used to do. In the
school library I found a life of St. Stephan Venard, a martyr in Vietnam. I read it
22 Don Rassiga, Andrej Majcen, p. 8.
|
|
8.8 Page 78 |
▲back to top |
70 Chapter 10: Accepting the Invitation of the New Bishop Paul Seitz
earnestly and meditated on it, taking resolutions to make the Saint’s life the Salesian
ideal in Vietnam.
7. On September 30 1952, Fr. Giacomino and I went to Hong Kong to prepare for the
journey. We had to get the visa, an Air France ticket to depart on October 3 1952.
The reason was that Fr. Braga, since he left Turin for Hong Kong, was always at our
sides, optimistically telling us about the new work, the vocations, the poor children
and the episcopal consecration of Mgr. Seitz in Hà Nội Cathedral on October 3, feast
of St. Theresa, the young saint and missionary Patron of Vietnam.
8. On October 2, on the eve of our departure, Fr. Braga gave us Frs. Giacomino and
Majcen the blessing of Mary Help of Christians so that we could work as Don Bosco
did. On the ferry Hong Kong-Kowloon, we met Fr. Mario Acquistapace. He just
came here from Bejing after he was called by Fr. Ziggiotti to become the new
provincial of the China-Vietnam Province. Fr. Mario told us, “I haven’t known about
your going to Vietnam yet, but I wish you bon voyage…”23
3. Fr. Giacomino, Rector, and Fr. Majcen, Vice-Rector of St. Theresa Orphanage
Going to Hà Nội
Early in the morning Fr. Giacomino and I celebrated Mass. It was St. Theresa’s feastday,
Patron of the missions, of Vietnam in particular, because she herself had wished to com to Sài
Gòn as a Carmelite nun, to pray for the missions in this famous Carmelite convent.
Fr. Braga wanted us to come to Hà Nội before 10 am to attend the consecration
ceremony of Mgr. Seitz in Hà Nội Cathedral, but due to some trouble with the airplane, we
had to wait from 7 to 10 am for the plane to take off.
Therefore, being unable to get in time in Hà Nội for the ceremony, we had to fancy it as
best as possible with all its solemnity. The very artistically decorated Cathedral would be full
of guests standing outside and a procession inside, with the Altar servers group, about 20
bishops from Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia and all the Vietnamese and French priests,
making a ‘corona aurea’24 for Mgr. Seitz. The consecrators would be the Nuncio Dooley, an
Irish and Bishop Trinh Nhu Khue of Hà Nội. In the meantime the Orphanage’s brass band
would play the music superbly because they greatly loved their father who was about to
become the Bishop of Kon Tum.
There certainly would be the presence of the MEP Fathers, because Mgr. Seitz was a
confrere of this Society, with Fr. Pancolet just being appointed their new Provincial. There
would certainly be the presence of the General Commander of the French Army and other
generals, including Sir Binh, the Tonkin governor who was a Caodaist.
In other words, present in Hà Nội that day were the whole Conference of Bishops of
Indochina and the General Commander of the French Army, and we should know that at that
time the Vietnamese only ranked second in importance in that regime.
Arriving late
Our airplane landed in Hà Nội at around 12 am. No one at the airport to pick us up
because they forgot Fr. Braga’s telegram. We therefore called a pulling cart with two seats
23 Don Rassiga, Andrej Majcen, pp. 122-123 or pp. 12-15 of Ch. II on the History of the Salesian Works in
Vietnam.
24 “Corona aurea’: Fr. Majcen’s meaning is not clear here.
70
|
|
8.9 Page 79 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 10: Accepting the Invitation of the New Bishop Paul Seitz 71
and also a place for our luggage. This historic moment of Salesian life in Vietnam would later
be dramatized on many occasions in our houses of studies.25 Fr. Majcen ordered the driver to
take them to the “évêché”. The driver answered “I know” but in fact he did not understand
what Fr. Majcen meant. After a while, as I (Fr. Majcen) realized that the route was much
longer than I used to take previously, I questioned him… At last we stopped to ask a
policeman, he said “Tôi không biết” (“I don’t know”), but I did not understand his
Vietnamese either. Finally we came to the police center where a French showed the driver the
true address of the Nhà Chung Hà Nội (Mission Catholique).
Upon arrival at Nhà Chung, we met Father economer and I told him that we were
Salesian priests. We wait for a moment, then we saw coming Mgr. Seitz with his beard, Mgr.
Khue, bishop of Hà Nội, and Mgr. Dooley. We introduced ourselves to them, and told them
we were sent by Fr. Braga to take over the Orphanage. Mgr. Seitz asked for our names, our
nationality and where we had been.
They took us in a very large dining room and introduced us to the guests. An ovation
burst out to welcome the Salesians. Around 200 guests stood up to greet us… And as we had
not eaten, they brought out some dishes for us, because the party had just ended before we
came and there was nothing left. Mgr. Seitz stood up and solemnly made his speech: “Today
is really a very happy day for me because I have been waiting and prayed for many years that
the sons of Don Bosco come, and today this has become true.” Then he introduced Fr.
Giacomino then me as his old acquaintance. Several guests have previously known me
personally. And eventually a champagne was opened to celebrate the coming of the
Salesians. Fr. Majcen would soon have several friends among the bishops.
After the meal, we had a nap in the heat of Hà Nội, and at 4.30 pm Mgr. Seitz came to
us. We got in his car and made a tour of the city, on the route Hà Nội – Hadong leading to the
suburb area called Thai Ha Ap where there was a pagoda near a pond. We entered a small
road and came to a house of the mayor26 opposite the Viceroy’s palace that is now used by us
for a school.27 Our car went past the pond. A panel was seen with the words “St. Theresa
Orphanage” and then another that read “City of Christ the King.” At some steps further, we
were in front of the Truc Lam villa where there was the office of the Orphanage’s Director
with a number of big orphans standing around, and then the elementary school and the
kindergarten.
In front of the Truc Lam villa, which is the official office of the Orphanage, 450 children
were standing in lines, including the kindergarten children and the bigger ones, with a brass
band of 80 players in their colorful uniform. The band played the Welcome song, then all the
children sang out a song in honor of Don Bosco. Mgr. Seitz introduced us to the St. Theresa
Family staff, then we got in the car again amid the music and firecrackers. Our car crossed a
small bridge to come to the boys-town, passed by the workshops blocks and came to the
small houses for the “12 families” of the children (30 children per family). When we entered
each house, the eldest of the family greeted us, then the chief cook, the chief cleaner, the
chief order keeper, the chief gardener, the chief storekeeper, etc… In each family, the
children took care of their own management under the supervision of the Orphanage’s
supervisor general. There were both bigger and smaller children in each of these twelve
families. Apart from the houses for the children, there was also a house for the (MEP) priests
25 Original text: “Questo momento così storico della vita Salesiana ne hanno molte ripetutamente dramatizzato
in tempi dei nostril studentati.” The meaning is not very clear.
26 Fr. Majcen wrote “sindaco” (Delegato).
27 “adesso in nostro uso per le scuole.”
|
|
8.10 Page 80 |
▲back to top |
72 Chapter 10: Accepting the Invitation of the New Bishop Paul Seitz
and the Salesians. Mgr. Seitz’s educational system as he presented it seemed good but not fit
for us, and we felt somewhat disappointed.
After going on the main road of the City of Christ the King for half an hour, we came to
a large yard with a cemented monument in honor of St. Theresa at one side of a big church
that could contain 500 people. On the steps of the church, a boy delivered a speech in
Vietnamese to greet Mgr. Seitz, and another one made a speech in French to welcome the two
Salesians. The name of the latter boy was Tuong, who later became a doctor. Among the
children, some also studied at a Lasalle school, in a French program. In his reply Mgr. Seitz
said that he had prepared everything for the coming of the Salesians. “Now that they have
come, I can go peacefully.” Then Mgr. Seitz introduced his staff: The director and economer
of the MEP was Fr. Faugère and Fr. Vacher respectively; the supervisor general was Teacher
Tran, a very capable person in keeping discipline, Sister Lucia and other nuns responsible for
the kindergarten and the maternity school. He also introduced Mr. Ho, the principal and other
teachers for the primary and secondary schools, then Mrs. Dubois, the treasurer, and some
other important people including Teacher Khac, who continued to help me as a secretary and
office manager.
Looking back at this historic moment, I cannot help making some comments on the
country’s situation, on the important person for the birth of the Salesian works in Vietnam,
Mgr. Seitz, and on my first collaborators. I am giving here also some notes about some of my
pupils who now have higher or lower positions.28
Then all the families gathered before St. Theresa’s statue on her feast day, thanking her
who had led their founder to the episcopate, and welcoming the first two Salesians of Don
Bosco, and they were sure that Mgr. Seitz would continue to help them for some time.
The church’s bells rang, inviting all to come in, whether they were catholic or not, to sit
on their benches and read on the wall the Vietnamese inscription hanged near Jesus’s statue:
“LOVE EACH OTHER AS I HAVE LOVED YOU”. Yes, it is enough to be near Jesus. It is
truly a life program, a meditation and it should always be a life program for the pupils and
Salesians alike. Mgr. Seitz gave the Eucharistic blessing to all, then in his Vietnamese he
thanked Mary Help of Christians for her precious gift that was the Salesians to the
28 (1) First of all are some French and Vietnamese government officials. In those two years (1952-53),
Vietnam was under French rule, and consequently the Salesian works had to get their approval and their
financial support for the orphan children. Then the role of Vietnamese officials who worked for the French
such as Governor Tri and the Director of Social Affairs who distributed the aids given by the French
government, and other legal entities acknowledged by the French. Mgr. Seitz wanted me to be registered as a
Number 2 person (“che sono iscritto sul numero 2”) so as to be member of the friendship meetings and to get
necessary information and support…
(2) It should be highlighted that even after 1952, Mgr. Seitz was still acknowledged as a charismatic
founder by his educational system, as he himself said it was to “do as Don Bosco did”, and until now (1986)
his alumni still see him as such. They keep memory of him, respect him as their founder and we will speak
more of him later.
(3) I also mentioned the names of my first collaborators in the years between 1952-54. Without them, I
could do nothing, especially because I neither comprehended Mgr. Seitz’ system nor did I know the
Vietnamese language and the government officials and other benefacto rs. I will mention them as my principal
h elp ers .
(4) Among the pupils of the time, there will emerge very important persons in the future: Fr. John Ty,
Delegate of the Rector Major for Vietnam Special Delegation; Fr. Marc Huỳnh, Economer and Councilor of
the Delegation; Bro. Joseph Thọ, among the first pupils of St. Thérèse Orphanage; Mr. Khang, ex-Salesian;
Mr. Ton, President of the Association of Past Pupils in Texas, US; and many other docto rs, teachers and
lecturers (as Mr. Chính…)
72
|
|
9 Pages 81-90 |
▲back to top |
|
|
9.1 Page 81 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 10: Accepting the Invitation of the New Bishop Paul Seitz 73
Orphanage, and he entrusted everything to Mary with all his filial confidence in the
uncertainties of this bloody war.
After leaving the church and getting in the car, the Fathers returned to Truc Lam Villa.
There was a sumptuous dinner for the children that day. The bishop entertained his staff, his
collaborators, the two Salesians in particular, in a warm atmosphere. All exchanged with each
other the wishes for good health, drinking the toasts and talking about so many events that
had occurred during the past nine or ten years in Ba Vì until now.
After dinner, the actual economer, Fr. Vacher, took two Salesians back to their house for
rest. Fr. Majcen went to his room near Fr. Vacher Vuong. As it was very hot, he had to open
all the doors and windows for the wind. The bed was without mattress, with only a bamboo
bed-plank covered by a sedge mat. Unable to sleep, he had to lie on the floor hoping to be
fresher and more comfortable, but then he was attacked by the ants. He went up on the bed
trying to sleep, but suddenly he heard the gunfire and cannons roaring. He looked out under
the moonlight and saw the opaque water surface with thick bamboos chain reflecting
themselves on it, and farther were rice fields with a few thatched-roofed houses in the dark.
Fr. Vacher Vuong was awakened. He went to Fr. Majcen and encouraged him: “Don’t be
afraid! They are from afar and shoot towards us. But they are too far to touch us.” Fr. Majcen
got back in his room, still unable to sleep, keeping revolving in his mind the words: “They
are there!” And they kept harassing us with gunfire and cannons, taking away the tranquility
of the night. These conditions are extremely important matters to be remembered, and future
generations should not forget them.29 These are not just horrific descriptions, they are
conditions of life. From that first day and for two years we have been living in a country
suffered by a bloody war that grew more and more appalling. By night the Vietminh
controlled the suburbs and around the French camps and during the day they hid themselves
at least in the periphery of Hà Nội with gunfire and cannons while the French soldiers with
their aircrafts retaliated by bombardments… and so destruction and fire of war rose up. That
was the life that we Salesians shared with the Vietnamese people.
And the following days
Mgr. Seitz remained in Hà Nội from October 4 to 31 to help the two Salesian Fathers
with the Orphanage’s takeover, including:
a) getting contact with the staff, to help them gradually understand his educational
system… and especially understand his works. Yesterday I roughly described Mgr. Seitz’s
Boys Town with 12 families. Today’s schedule will be the visit to the palace of the Viceroy
of Tonkin who had let the Orphanage use it. We got in the car and set off from the Truc Lam
Villa with rows of green bamboos alongside a very beautiful pond, near a small but
historically very important pagoda.30 And there we were in the Palace’s yard! We first visited
the kindergarten with Sister Lucia as Superior and the Sisters of the Lovers of the Cross who
were guided by the spirituality of the Oiseaux Sisters under the rules of St. Augustine. There
were about 100 orphans who entirely depended on the care of the Lovers of the Cross,
including sleeping, drinking and eating, studying and all other necessities. Then we visited
the school principal, Mr. Ho, who was responsible for both the elementary and secondary
grade, with the teaching staff who were not in Fr. Majcen’s responsibility yet. The school was
not well maintained and was half damaged both by bombs and rains. In the middle of the
29 “e sommamente importante, da non dimenticare”.
30 To understand this interesting note of Fr. Majcen, see Figures 13, 14, 15 and 18 in his document.
|
|
9.2 Page 82 |
▲back to top |
74 Chapter 10: Accepting the Invitation of the New Bishop Paul Seitz
Palace, the Viceroy had a place for the cult of Buddha and ancestors, with beautiful and queer
statues.
Then we visited the living room and office of Mrs. Dubois, a French of mixed parents.
She supervised several houses, had under her direction about 20 girls washing dishes,
mending clothes and doing the laundry… as well as taking care of a large farm with cattle
and pigs…
b) After lunch, it was decided that there would be a first meeting on October 4 1952 with
Mgr. Seitz, the two Salesians, Fr. Faugère, Fr. Vacher, Teacher Trần and Teacher Khắc and
some others, including Mrs. Dubois who currently belonged to the direction board. The
meeting was held at Truc Lam Villa, headquarter of the Orphanage. I would like to say a few
words about this place where I have been working for the two first years in Vietnam. In a
corner there was a small reception room with a board hanged on the wall on which were
listed all the students with their dates of birth or graduation, and whether and where they
were studying or working. We had then more than 500 children including those of the
kindergarten.
Secretary Khắc welcomed guests and invited Fr. Majcen to contact all government and
ecclesiastical authorities, the pupils, the bishops or civil guests. The secretary hand over to Fr.
Majcen all the records written in French or in Vietnamese relating to the process. From his
window Fr. Majcen could see all the movement to the direction of the Boys Town, as well as
the movements of those who went out from there. The room next to his was for a Vietnamese
priest, Fr. Phan, who was studying at university but who could also help Fr. Majcen in some
delicate issues. Opposite the house that formed a U, there was the Superiors’ refectory, with
the woman cook humming all day long Vietnamese prayers and the question-and-answer
catechism lesson of Pope Pius X. This was really a pleasant and pious atmosphere.
c) As for Mgr. Seitz, he was deeply concerned about how to explain the spirit of a bishop
in which there was both the spirit and the system that he had created. He often repeated to me
that it was Don Bosco’s spirit. He saw in the birth of Don Bosco’s Oratory an event very
similar to his work.
Actually the bishop applied the Boys Town model of the American founders in which
the orphans helped each other to educate themselves. It was the children themselves who
were responsible for their own training, under the supervision of an assistant and of Fr.
Majcen himself whose reception room was put in the middle of the administrative and
educative center. This was an educational system in war time (Don Bosco’s educational
system also emerged in the same way). The bishop insisted that “my system is one taught by
the Holy Spirit in all moments, according to the necessity of each moment.
I believe this system has been admired by all, of course with ideas indisputably attributed
to Don Bosco. But the acceptance of such a system before Vatican II raised a problem
regarding the loyalty to our Salesian tradition, to our rules. Fr. Majcen had a more flexible
style, while Fr. Giacomino was more rigid.
I all at once realized this was a problem of allegiance to our Father Don Bosco, and so I
wrote to Fr. Bellido, General Catechist of the Congregation, asking him what to do.31 Fr.
Bellido replied that the works would not become Salesian by a revolution through changes
but by patience and EVOLUTION32 of the current system within two years. And that was my
agenda during my two years in Hà Nội.
31 “quid faciendum”.
32 EVOLUZIONE.
74
|
|
9.3 Page 83 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 10: Accepting the Invitation of the New Bishop Paul Seitz 75
My first concern was to grasp the school administration under different aspects, namely:
a) The selection of abandoned children;
b) The financial system;
c) The planning on the workshops and construction;
d) The planning on the kindergarten run by the Lovers of the Cross Sisters;
e) The planning on the printing shop and library;
f) The planning on the MEP and SDB staff, as well as outside personnel, and planning
on the transformation and adaptation of the works to fit the Salesian spirit.
g) And last, the plan I had to immediately proceed was my contacts with the
government authorities, with the Franco-Vietnamese Social Affairs Department for
aids.
These were among the most important matters, because this was the AGENDA that
should be made and achieved33 within the next two years.34
In that time, we discussed the future of the work in several meetings. The proposals of
these meeting should be approved by the Sino-Vietnamese Provincial. But in the meantime
there was the hand-over of the provincial’s power in the Province which had to accept the co-
presence of both provincials, the outgoing provincial and his successor.
As an outgoing provincial, Fr. Braga did not want to make any important decisions. As
for Fr. Mario Acquistapace who was appointed provincial on October 7 1952 by a decree
announced by Fr. Cucchiara, he would only assume the office after making the oath on
November 4 1952 and would go to Vietnam on December 13 1952 for the administration in
Vietnam and he would stay in office until the end of 1958.
Mgr. Seitz wanted that as late as November he would go to Kon Tum to assume his new
episcopate. He therefore put forth this solution: Fr. Giacomino would assume Mgr. Seitz’s
position as Director General in what regards the more important matters, the feasts in the
Boys Town, the relations and visits of higher government and ecclesiastical authorities. In the
meanwhile he could have more time for learning Vietnamese in some village. Fr. Majcen
becomes a Vice Director together with Fr. Faugère Cao, MEP, who would initiate him in the
tasks and the educational system of Mgr. Seitz. Consequently Fr. Majcen would be installed
in Mgr. Seitz’s Director office so as to be always present among the children and be
responsible for the admission, the discipline, the time-table, as well as the financial matters
and the relations with the Bishop, in brief, responsible for everything and occasionally report
to Fr. Giacomino. Besides, Fr. Majcen would cooperate with Fr. Vacher Vương, the
economer, to find financial resources.
All the current staff (except the school’s employees) would be under the direction of the
two Vice Directors Fr. Majcen and Fr. Faugère Cao, who worked very harmoniously.
I think Mgr. Seitz’s solution was optimal and necessary, because at the time I did not
know Vietnamese, I had no money, and was not knowledgeable about the children and the
war situation in Vietnam. And also because we did not have the Salesian personnel who we
expected would come in the 1953-54 school year. Someone rightly expressed: “We’d rather
assume a work from a zero than an existing one that was not Salesian, especially at the
moment of the Salesian Congregation that was traditional (or conservative).35 Yes, it was. We
33 “iter faciendum et obtinendum”.
34 See MPI (Don Majcen’s Memoirs kept in Pisana), 4 vol., Ch. IV, pp. 29-51.
35 “la Congregazione traditionalista salesiana”.
|
|
9.4 Page 84 |
▲back to top |
76 Chapter 10: Accepting the Invitation of the New Bishop Paul Seitz
had before us an existing environment that we had to gradually understand, then at some
favorable moment we had to set it on the Salesian track, according Fr. Bellido’s instruction.
Our new Provincial, Fr. Mario Acquistapace, eventually accepted this “modus” of action
for at least one year.36 In a meeting, Mgr. Seitz, Mgr. Khue of Hà Nội and Fr. Pancolet,
Provincial of the MEP decided on the “modus vivendi” for the members of the MEP at the
time the Salesians took over the direction of the Orphanage; then they discussed other matters
regarding the estate, the financial supports to receive and to find, and the way to fully hand
the works over to the Salesians. As regard the style of work, Mgr. Seitz insisted that it was
not wise to make a radical change in a time that could result in a catastrophe for the
Salesians.
Thus in collaboration with Fr. Faugère, the two Salesians Fathers carried out the
experimental way of this transition, called “modus vivendi for the moment”, in particular for
the two Vice Directors, Fr. Majcen and Fr. Faugère.
Although I am writing this as an Autobiography, I also want to express all my fraternal
love toward my former Rector in Macao and currently Rector here in the first year in Hà Nội.
With his black eyes and curled hair, and with his characteristic smile, he was held in high
esteem by all the children and the authorities as well as by the staff of the Orphanage.
According to Mgr. Seitz’s will, Fr. Giacomino was at once assigned the role of Director
General of the Orphanage, and was introduced to the French-Vietnamese government. But his
chief task was to learn Vietnamese well, and so he went to the villages, more precisely at the
house of a parish priest near a black river37, then he spent several months in Bui Chu with
Mgr. Chi, who was also studying for the creation of a work there. He often went to Thai Ha
Ap to say Mass, especially in the Orphanage and on the visits of Mgr. Seitz and Fr. Mario
Acquistapace, and in particular on the 10 anniversary of the Orphanage (1943-1953). He also
went there on other occasions to learn driving car which Mgr. Seitz insisted as very
necessary.
He had a different nature from Fr. Majcen, but the two complemented each other very
well. Fr. Giacomino was strict, scrupulously faithful to the religious rules, and wanted to
change every thing in order to set the Orphanage on Don Bosco’s track. Fr. Majcen, on the
contrary, approached the direction in Fr. Braga’s style, namely following the signs of the time
and patiently wait for God’s hour, and gradually made changes in his reform process… Any
way, both of us have the same great love for Don Bosco, a saint so much loved by the
Vietnamese, and especially for Our Lady Help of Christians, who did everything. We spoke
about Mary Help of Christians and found ways that she could have a place in the hearts of the
Vietnamese, in spite of the fact that the title of Mary of Perpetual Help, or Mary of St.
Luke38, had occupied the first place through the promotion of the Redemptorists.
Mgr. Seitz gave a Vietnamese name to everybody. I list here also the names of the
Salesians who later came to North Vietnam:
— Mgr. Seitz was called Đức Cha Kim (Kim means gold)
— Fr. Majcen was called Cha Quang (Quang means light)
— Fr. Giacomino was called Cha Minh (Minh means splendor)39
36 “modus ad tempus per almeno un anno”.
37 “fiume negro”. The context is not clear.
38 “la Maria di San Luca”. Why this title?
39 “Lume: la Luce che splende Lume”.
76
|
|
9.5 Page 85 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 10: Accepting the Invitation of the New Bishop Paul Seitz 77
— Fr. Faugère, vice-director, was called Cha Cao (Cao means great)
— Fr. Vacher, economer, was called Cha Vương (Vương means king)
— Fr. Generoso was called Cha Quảng (Quảng means generous)
— Fr. Cuisset was called Cha Quí (Quí means precious)
— Fr. Bohnen, a Hollander, was called Cha Bản
— Bro. Bragion was called Thầy Báu.
On the admission
The admission follows this rule: the children who could pay should not be admitted,
because in that case they were not abandoned children. Only those who had no one to take
care of them and these were in great number in Hà Nội, because they had fled from bombed
villages to the city. Here, to earn a living, they became beggars and often had to steal for
survival. They were brought to us by the police or they themselves came to us.
After being admitted, they were checked whether nobody took care of them, then they
were registered with their true name or a virtual name. Many did not even know their names,
because the terror of the attacks had made them forget it, and had taken their parents’ lives
away.
Among the candidates for admission, Fr. Majcen noticed one who was smartly dressed,
and he was reluctant to admit him because he seemed rich. The boy explained that in fact he
had been rich, but the attacks had destroyed his house and his whole family while he was
miraculously saved because he was playing then with his sister in the garden. Fr. Majcen was
moved to tears and admitted him.
However, not all the children admitted in the Orphanage would stay for long. Some who
had been used to the begging life in the streets would go away some day. Nevertheless these
boys would be re-admitted if they returned repentant: only those with improper conduct
would be rejected. The boys’ soul was also taken care of in this Boys Town: no one should be
rejected because of their religion or political opinions: misery was the only card for their
admission.
The Providence
In the beginning there was some doubts about financial resource, but everybody soon
realized that God never abandoned them: in fact, generous supports and charity from
benefactors continuously came to their aid.
|
|
9.6 Page 86 |
▲back to top |
CHAPTER 11: VISITS AND THE OFFICIAL HAND-OVER
1. Visits to the Ecclesiastical Authorities
Mgr. Seitz led the two Salesians to pay their homage to Mgr. Trinh Nhu Khue, Bishop of
Hà Nội (later a Cardinal). The Hà Nội Bishop first told them: “You have come to the
abandoned orphans who are in danger, please promise never to abandon them40… Do not do
as some others who have then changed their minds and received only well-off children.”
Then he gave his approval for the Salesians to canonically establish the Salesian house in Hà
Nội, at the Thai Ha Ap, Hoan Long District. On the next day he wrote to the Holy See in
accordance with the formalities. He also told them he would hand them all the relevant
documents and the property, as well as the printing shop and bookstore if they had more staff.
Fr. Majcen happily talked about the Salesian works in Hong Kong. Mgr. Khue also
introduced them to his secretary, Fr. Mai (who later became Bishop of Buonmethuot) and to
Fr. Căn, the parish priest of Hà Nội Cathedral, who would later succeed Mgr. Khue as Bishop
of Hà Nội and become a Cardinal too. From that day, Fr. Majcen often went to see the Bishop
to discuss on his programming as well as to spend summer holidays with him.
A second visit was to Fr. Pancolet, Provincial of the MEP. The MEP working for the
Orphanage had legal ownership of all the Orphanage’s property, and they would hand it over
to us Salesians within these months. Their Provincial also promised to hand over to us all the
money they had received from the French government or from the papal “influzza”41 or from
the war indemnities sources. It was from these financial resources that the Salesians were
able to solve financial problems for at least one year. The Provincial promised to support us
and he also invited both of us to have our meals together with the MEP Fathers. He moreover
asked the MEP Fathers to help the Orphanage.
On another occasion, the Salesian Fathers went to visit the Lasalle Brothers. As early as
in the beginning of the 20th century, the Lasalle Brothers had had their schools in all principal
cities and dioceses in Vietnam. A great number of priests and intellectuals had been educated
in the secondary schools of the Lasalle Brothers. Mgr. Seitz at a party introduced the
Salesians and admired the Salesians for their courage to come here in such a difficult
situation. He also admired the great heart of Fr. Braga in sending the Salesians to the poorest
children as Don Bosco wanted. Mgr. Seitz continued: “Dear (Lasalle) Brothers, you have
abandoned ‘your Founder’, while the Salesians still stayed with Don Bosco even in the most
difficult situation! You Salesians, do you promise me that?” On the other hand, Mgr. Seitz
thanked the Lasalle Brothers for admitting a number of the Orphanage’s pupils as externs at
their secondary schools. It is worth mentioning that some pupils of Fr. Majcen in the school
year 1952-54 who later were very successful in their career—including Dr. Tường, Dr. Quát,
Dr. Long and some other teachers—had been studying at the Lasalle schools. We Salesians
also are grateful to the Lasalle Brothers because their Provincial helped us in the South when
he allowed their members to be (nominally) principal of our Salesian School in South
Vietnam while we wait to have Vietnamese qualified Salesians for this position, the first of
whom was Fr. Isidore Le Huong.
Another visit was to the Sisters of St. Paul de Chartres. The nuns also had an orphanage
similar to ours for the care of orphan girls. Two years after the war ended, in 1954, they also
40 They kept their promise. In fact, in 1954, they courageously took them to the South, helped them settle and
have a secure life.
41 “influzza”: the meaning is not clear.
78
|
|
9.7 Page 87 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 11: Visits and the Official Hand-over 79
admitted our kindergarten children in their orphanage. Fr. Majcen often came to their hospital
to treat his illnesses due to the terrible climate of Hà Nội. They took care of him with all their
goodness in their hospital.
Another significant visit was to the St. Sulpice Fathers who ran the Grand Seminary. The
Seminary’s Director, Fr. Gastin, had been a friend of Fr. Mario in Beijing and the professor
Fr. Sutz had once been working in Kunming. Mgr. Seitz took this opportunity to thank them
for the liturgical services of their Seminarians in the Cathedral and also in the church of St.
Theresa of the Boys Town. Fr. Majcen also asked them to continue their liturgical services as
well as their catechism teaching and assistance to our children, and be trainers to our children
especially during summer holidays. Both of us, Giacomino and Majcen, were unable to do
undertake because we could not speak Vietnamese yet. Fr. Giacomino found it very difficult
because he learned an Asian language for the first time. Fr. Majcen, though he could speak
Cantonese and write mandarin and that was an advantage, but Vietnamese tones are very
different from the mandarin tones and Vietnamese pronunciation is also different, so he had
to make a great effort too.
This visit made me happily remember Don Bosco’s visit to the St. Sulpice Fathers in
Paris in around 1884. Don Bosco was invited, but he came late. The St. Sulpice Fathers were
very punctual and they came to lunch in time, and it was for the first time their Superior made
an exception to delay the lunch. During lunch, a theology student made a speech saying:
“Don Bosco has done miracles to resurrect the dead, to cure the sick, but today he has done
the greatest miracle to delay the meal for some time.” A long applause burst out, and in our
visit today, the episode was also recounted among us Salesians at a seminary of the St.
Sulpice Fathers. In fact we are truly old friends!
2. A Visit to Authority Official: The Tonkin Governor
This was a visit of great importance. As the Salesian Congregration, we need the
recognition from the civil government in order to work in Vietnam. This is a country whose
custom and law we have to know well. In China, we had access to a law system in the French
style. Here in Vietnam we need the approval of the Executive Committee, but we could only
be recognized after TEN YEARS living in Vietnam then belonged to Indochina regime. By
this meeting Mgr. Seitz wanted us to get an exemption status. With the government approval
of the Congregation’s presence, we could be able to buy and sell properties, open schools,
and receive financial aids. Mgr. Seitz made his best effort that the Salesians could get these
faculties before he left for Kontom. The visit was therefore very important.
The Tonkin governor was currently Mr. Phan Văn Bình (and shortly after, his successor,
Mr. Nguyễn Hữu Trí, was a great friend of Fr. Majcen and a great benefactor of ours).
Although dependent on French rule, the governor had some degree of autonomy. First of all,
governor Bình thanked the Salesian Congregation for coming to Vietnam to take care of the
abandoned children and the war victims. He promised to do his best … that is, as I said
earlier, to help the Salesian Congregation to be recognized as a legal entity with all its right to
work in Vietnam, to buy and sell properties, to receive aids from the government, as well as
from other countries, and to work legally in Vietnam.
Mgr. Seitz asked him to support Fr. Majcen who was directly responsible for the
administration of the Orphanage, and to allow the Rector General, Fr. Giacomino, to go to
study Vietnamese, and after one year, to work without difficulty.
|
|
9.8 Page 88 |
▲back to top |
80 Chapter 11: Visits and the Official Hand-over
In this meeting Mr. Bình (who shortly would succeeded Mr. Tri) promised to allow the
Orphanage to organize public fairs and tombola to find more money for the Orphanage’s
activities.
A visit to the Social Department Director
After Mgr. Seitz’s commendations for works of the Salesians, the Social Department
Director found ways to register Fr. Majcen as a person who could receive aids and other gifts
for the Orphanage, together with his assistant, Fr. Faugère, who always accompanied him.
This Director then became a close friend of Fr. Majcen, even later in the South, and he
promoted Fr. Majcen to be awarded the 1st Government Decoration with medal for the merit
of his 20 years service in Vietnam, both in the North and then in the South.
In order that Fr. Majcen could contact as many personalities as possible, Mgr. Seitz
registered Fr. Majcen and Fr. Giacomino in the III ceremonial committee to be invited
together with other officials in the Hà Nội government including the ministers, directors of
various departments, military officers and other important persons. And I was not to wait
long to be invited to such important meetings.
Another important visit was to the Major and the Social Department Director. This was
not just a diplomatic visit, but also efforts to help the Salesians to stay, work and carry out the
contracts in Vietnam, as well as receive aids. Both visits brought about encouragement and
promises.
Registered at the authority and … watched by the police
Mgr. Seitz registered our two Salesians in the ceremonial committee and consequently
Fr. Majcen was always invited to the meeting where he could make acquaintance with
important persons who helped him greatly.
Then they went to register at the police office. Security police came to investigate and
talk with us for a while, especially because this was the first time they met foreigners who
were not French. They wanted to know who we were, what ideas we had, whether we had
communist ideas, or whether we were dangerous for national security. It appeared that if we
were more intelligent and cunning, we could overcome the interrogation and got other
permissions from the government.
With Fr. Giacomino who came from Brazil, there was no problem at all; but with Fr.
Majcen the matter became a little more complicate because he came from Yugoslavia, a
communist country and still worse, he also came from Red China. But since he had become
used to those kinds of interrogation, he knew how to dispel the doubts regarding him
personally.42
3. Official hand over of the Orphanage to the Salesians
Mgr. Seitz wanted to officially finish his work and direction of the Orphanage by
handing it over to the Salesians before the presence of the highest ecclesiastic, civil and
military authorities. This also was a way for Mgr. Seitz to solemnly say his farewell and
gratitude to his collaborators and his children. He thanked everybody and heartily
recommended the newcomers Salesians to them and to their supports, especially financially.
42 Don Rassiga, Fr. Andrej Majcen, pp. 121-25.
80
|
|
9.9 Page 89 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 11: Visits and the Official Hand-over 81
The pupils cleaned the roads and their small houses, hung on the wall of each house the
pictures of Mary Help of Christians and Don Bosco, and also a photo of Mgr. Seitz.
At 6.00 that day, after the blessing of the St. Theresa’s church, Mgr. Seitz sang the
solemn Mass. The choir was the St. Sulpice seminarians, under the direction of Fr. Gastin
who was also a St. Sulpice Father. Mgr. Khuê gave the homily, recommending the children to
be grateful to Mgr. Seitz and to receive the Salesians as their new Superiors with the mission
of continuing the works.
Then Fr. Giacomino blessed all the houses, accompanied by the supervisor general,
teacher Trần, together with Mgr. Seitz, the children’s commander-in-chief. That was all the
external demonstrations of the handover of ownership.
At noon, there was the farewell lunch for Mgr. Seitz. Among the guests were Fr. Gastin,
seminarians and a great number of the Orphanage staff, and all the inhabitants of Christ the
King Boys Town.
At 4.00 pm came the ecclesiastical and civil authorities. Among these were Mgr. Khuê,
Bishop of Hà Nội, the Nuncio Dooley’s delegate, the Redemptorist Fr. Marchi, many
Vietnamese and French priests of the MEP, the seminarians, the nuns, and the Sisters Lovers
of the Cross in particular.
The government authorities included the Honorable Merlo, High Commissioner of
France, the Major General Lamarque, representative of General Limares, the directors of the
Social Department, and a great number of benefactors, friends, French and Vietnamese
journalists of local and foreign newspapers, Mr. Giai, commissioner of Hà Nội Trade Union,
and Mr. Phuc, Prefect of Hoan Long District. Sitting in the middle rang were Mgr. Seitz,
founder of the Orphanage, Mgr. Khuê, Bishop of Hà Nội. Fr. Giacomino Minh and Fr.
Majcen Quang also were among the front rank.
The last arrival was the most important person, the Honorable Phan Văn Bình, governor
of Tonkin. Amid the solemn welcome of the brass band music, he cut the inaugural ribbon
and officially declared in French and in Vietnamese the opening of the Boys Town.
After the inaugural ceremony, the guests were invited to visit the houses of the families,
then all gathered at a large workshop that was changed that day into a great hall. There, after
the song “This is Christ the King City”, Mgr. Seitz personally and in the name of the Bishop
of the diocese solemnly declared the handover of the Orphanage to the Salesians. Then he
presented its history from the times in Ba Vì up to the present.
— The first Orphanage was erected in Ba Vì, 300 km from Hà Nội, which was later
damaged by the war.
— In 1950-52, the Orphanage was erected in Thái Hà Ấp, under the name “Christ the
King City”.
He then introduced the two Salesians, Fr. Giacomino Minh as Director and Fr. Andrej
Majcen as Vice-Director, without forgetting to recall his memories of Fr. Dupont. In his
conclusion, he asked for the blessings of Mary Help of Christians and of Don Bosco on the
Orphanage, and wished for a promising future to the Orphanage.
In his speech, Fr. Giacomino praised the work that had just been handed over to him and
he assured Mgr. Seitz, the works’ founder, that the boys of Christ the King City would have
him in their heart forever. He promised that the Salesians would never abandon their children
and would always work for the poor youth… Then he greeted and thanked the Vietnamese
|
|
9.10 Page 90 |
▲back to top |
82 Chapter 11: Visits and the Official Hand-over
and French authorities and so many benefactors, asking them to continue with their aids.
Finally, with Don Bosco’ heart, he greeted all his beloved children.
And champagne was opened amid the music of the brass band concluding the ceremony.
Innumerable photos were taken for a souvenir.
In the following days Fr. Majcen received several distinguished guests, including Mgr.
Chi, Bishop of Bùi Chu and Mgr. Từ, Bishop of Phát Diệm. The two bishops were very
happy because this is the first time two non-French missionaries came to work in Vietnam.
The two bishops would become close friends of the Salesians until 1974. As early as in 1937,
the first Vietnamese Bishop Nguyễn Bá Tòng had wanted to have the Salesians to work in
Vietnam but under the condition that they should be of French nationality. They had got
everything ready but the project was not realized. Later on, there were also several visits from
other bishops including Mgr. Trương Cao Đại and Mgr. Hoàng Văn Đoàn, bishops of Hải
Phòng, Mgr. Mare whom they had known in Kunming, Mgr. Piquet, MEP. A booklet on Don
Bosco was also published at that time.
There was also a visit of Mgr. Caretto from Thailand. He recommended our Salesians
not to make a revolution by sudden changes, but to proceed step by step to get a gradual
transformation. At that time the directive letter of Fr. Bellido also arrived with his instruction
to avoid any haste in the process for fear of grave failure. Finally there was the farewell
words of Mgr. Seitz.
After a familial party on October 30, Mgr. Seitz set out for Kon Tum.
82
|
|
10 Pages 91-100 |
▲back to top |
|
|
10.1 Page 91 |
▲back to top |
CHAPTER 12: FR. ANDREJ MAJCEN AS PILOT
DURING THE YEARS 1952-541
After Mgr. Seitz left for Kon Tum and Fr. Giacomino went for his Vietnamese learning
in Ba Thá where there was a good French parish priest, Fr. Majcen remained alone to direct
the Orphanage with Fr. Faugère’s assistance.
On November 4 1952, Fr. Cucchiara announced that Fr. Mario Acquistapace was
appointed Provincial of the Province China-Taiwan-Philippines-Vietnam. On November 8
1952, the Nuncio Dooley notified Fr. Majcen that the Sacred Congregation Propaganda Fide
had approved the erection of a Salesian religious house in Hà Nội for the service of the
orphans.
Since Mgr. Seitz and Fr. Faugère during the previous years had arranged for quite a great
number of big boys to work in the factories, Fr. Majcen now could have more rooms to
receive many orphans in the Orphanage. The boys who applied for admission would first be
inquired by Teacher Khắc who by his name (‘Khắc’ means strict) was very strict and who
was very careful in his interrogation. Then it was Fr. Majcen who decided on the admission
and put their names on a list to be presented to the Social Department to receive allowances.
Fr. Faugère then had the boys to take a bath and to have a medical check if necessary, then he
assigned each of them to a family. On their entering a family, they were all happily received
in a feast-day atmosphere, as Mgr. Seitz wanted. Then they were presented to principal Hồ to
be admitted in the school, or to Fr. Vauchère to learn a trade in the workshops. The principal
rule was that they should be received as a real family member, not just as a student, and to be
received in the way of a father receiving his children and to have a living standard of an
average family, even to be able to study and go up to university. When they later became past
pupils, they often came back for a visit to the Orphanage as to visit their own families on the
New Year or summer holidays. No longer having their natural parents, their true parents now
were Fr. Majcen, Fr. Giacomino and Mgr. Seitz.
Here are some episodes revealing us something about the miserable conditions of those
times.
A professional thief with 18 times in prison
One day Fr. Faugère took me in his truck that daily transported the children to work in
the factories in the city. As I sat among the boys, I at once recognized one of them. “Why are
you here?” I asked him. “The police brought me here.” “So you are among those boys…?”
“No, Father, I am from a good family, I do not steal. But I’ve lost my parents, I had to go
begging but no one gave me anything. So I had to steal at the shop. Since I do not know how
to steal, I was caught by the police. My companions have stolen more often than me but they
haven’t been imprisoned as often as me.”
Teacher Khắc said to me: “Father, you have a phone call!” “Listen, Father, are you Mgr.
Seitz’s successor? We have got here three boys in this prison for stealing. We cannot punish
them, but are trying to help them… They just escaped a bombing, and now they have
nowhere to sleep. It’s raining and they have to sleep at people’s door and steal things to eat.”
I answered: “Please bring them here at once!” In fact the boys appeared to be very frightened
1
83
|
|
10.2 Page 92 |
▲back to top |
84 Chapter 12: Fr. Andrej Majcen as the Pilot in the Years 1952-54
because of the bombing and they were also sick, got fever and I immediately send them to the
infirmary.
Another boy in a basket
The Director of Social Department phoned to me: “I’m very pleased to know you. Can
you receive a boy in your Orphanage? His father died in war, leaving his mother and small
children. His mother is always sick and cannot earn anything, so their condition is very
miserable. It’s a good family that has lost their father and all their property because of the
war.” I at once received the boy named Marco, but his younger sister in a basket was sent to
the nuns.2 Later on in the South, the boy became a good pupil, admitted in the Salesian
novitiate and eventually became a very good priest, 3 while his sister became a Sister of the
Assumptionists in London.
A French officer greeted me: “Bonjour mon Père”
“Bonjour mon Père!... I bring you a very nice boy. Last night our soldiers attacked a
house at the other side of Red River opposite Hà Nội because the Vietminh had a gathering
there. All had been killed. This morning I only found a boy who survived, I neither know his
name nor his birth. He only cried, but I saw him very smart.” I (Fr. Majcen) sent him to the
kindergarten and Sr. Lucia taught him catechism. He was baptized, became a Mass servant…
then became a Salesian…He later studied in Italy, and eventually became a Provincial in
South Vietnam…4
Among the boys admitted in the Orphanage, some were so weak that the Sister only had
time to take care of their souls, opening Heaven to them by baptism. Others were of the kind
of swindlers, pretending having good will to be admitted. Once admitted, they lived to their
wish, stole things and went off. But most of the boys were good. They lived honestly for
many years in the Orphanage and eventually got a good job. Fr. Majcen and Fr. Faugère Cao
once came to visit one of them working in Hải Phòng. He appeared to be very pleased. He
used to spare his money to be able to spend the Tet at home. Home for them means the
Orphanage of Mgr. Seitz in the past, and the Salesians currently were his parents whom he
wanted to show his gratitude.
A visit to Fr. Giacomino Minh
Accompanied by Madame Dubois (a very energetic French woman of mixed parents
who was responsible for the food and laundry of the Orphanage), Fr. Majcen went to visit Fr.
Giacomino. Driving the car, Mme Dubois told him her whole life. She had married a French
legionnaire of Italian descent, and had been abandoned. Fortunately she was received by Fr.
Dupont to take care as an economer of the orphanage of Mr. René Robin. She served Fr.
Dupont very well until the latter was killed as a martyr. It was she who recounted the last
hours of our martyred confrere in Nam Định. After Fr. Dupont’s death, Mgr. Seitz invited her
to the Orphanage where all the children showed her a great admiration for her driving skill
and for her getting so many gifts for them, especially on the feasts.
2 “Ho ricevuto Marco… e la sua sorella messa a Cambot con le Suore”: the text is not very clear.
3 Fr. Marco Huỳnh, a Provincial economer for a long time, and Sr. Bắc, an Assumptionist.
4 Fr. John Nguyễn văn Ty, currently Delegate of Vietnamese Special Delagation of the Rector Major, following
Don Majcen’s memories. But probably his admission to the Orphanage was by Mgr. Seitz during the years
1948-50.
84
|
|
10.3 Page 93 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 12: Fr. Andrej Majcen as the Pilot in the Years 1952-54 85
Our car passed the French posts where the soldiers were armed to the teeth and by night
they could shoot when they heard any noise around. We came to Ba Thá, and were welcomed
by the parish priest and Fr. Giacomino. Many old people came and brought bananas and
beers on the table for us. They said: “Very reverend Father, what’s your name?” Being told
that we had very limited time, they ordered the families around to prepare a meal. That was a
very good habit of the faithful because they understood that their duty was to feed the passing
missionaries. After a while, a woman brought in a dazzling copper tray fool of food. She
humbly invited the guests: “We only have a frugal meal for our guests!” After lunch, Fr.
Majcen and Fr. Giacomino went in the church to confess to one another. Then someone came
to warn that we had better not delay here but be back to Ha Noi soon, because from 3.00 to
4.00 am it was the Vietminh who took control in this region.
The first Patron Feastday for Fr. Majcen in Vietnam
The good Father Faugère Cao wanted Fr. Majcen’s feastday to be solemnly celebrated
and also to be used as the opening of the novena of the Immaculate Conception which is
traditionally celebrated by the Salesians with an Eucharistic adoration and a short homily.
Fr. Majcen presided over the Mass and after the Mass, in front of the church, he was
greeted by all amid the sounding ovation, the music of the brass band and the song of the
“Boys Town”. Then Mr. Thường (a pupil who later became a doctor), gave a fluent speech in
French, and Fr. Majcen was invited to reply in Vietnamese. He wanted to adroitly excuse on
the pretext of his poor Vietnamese, but as the children started clapping their hands he could
not but handle his situation in a unique way. He said “cam on” (“thank you”) while bowing
his head toward the choir, to thank them for their songs; then he said “cam on” again, bowing
to the brass band players while pretending to play the instruments, to thank them for their
music. At his every “cam on”, the children clapped their hands loudlier and loudlier. Fr.
Fougère later said he had never heard a speech so simple and so clear! On that day everybody
had chicken on their table and Mrs. Dubois also provided chocolate for them. No better
overture of the Immaculate Conception’s novena was ever made!5
Fr. Mario Acquistapace, Provincial of China-Taiwan-Philippines-Vietnam
The first Provincial for Vietnam was Fr. Carlo Braga in the years 1942-45 when Fr.
Dupont was Director of the Eurasian Orphanage. The dynamic Father with a heart as
immnese as sands in the seashore during the years 1934-45 had sowed Don Bosco’s charisma
in Vietnam, and this charisma still remained. Then between October 3 1952 and December of
that year, Fr. Braga began Don Bosco’s works in Hà Nội.
His successor, the second Provincial, was Fr. Mario Acquistapace, a figure in the 1886
dream of Don Bosco on Beijing that had become true during the years 1947-52 by the
opening of a Salesian house in Beijing, and then it was brought to Ha Noi on December 13
1952. Fr. Mario had a great impact on the Salesian works in Vietnam in his role as Provincial
between the years 1952 and 1958, and then as Provincial Delegate until 1974, and as an
apostle of Mary Help of Christians he establishe the charismatic foundation to the
5 Fr. Majcen’s writings have been organized by Fr. Rassiga, and Fr. Majcen has written to Fr. Rassiga to thank
him wholeheartedly. On February 15 1986, Fr. Majcen announced the sad news on the death of Fr. Guerrino
LUVISOTTO in these words: “Today I would like to announce a sad news about the death of our missionary
Fr. Guerrino Luvisotto on the recent Vietnamese Tet festivities. According to the news from our veteran
missionary in Vietnam, Bro. De Marchi, who wrote from Verona, Fr. Luvisotto died at the hospital Pordenone
on February 6 1986. Fr. Majcen also send his greetings to Fr. Massimino and his thanks to Fr. Tohill for a
letter referring to an important page in the history of the Salesians in Vietnam.
|
|
10.4 Page 94 |
▲back to top |
86 Chapter 12: Fr. Andrej Majcen as the Pilot in the Years 1952-54
Vietnamese Salesians. Mary, you always are our Mother and we pray to you, dear Mother of
the Vietnamese Salesians .
On the feast of Mary Immaculate Conception in 1952, Fr. Mario announced to Mgr.
Khuê that he was coming to Vietnam. He came on December 13 and was solemnly
welcomed. Then he had talks with Mgr. Khue, Mgr. Seitz who came from Kon Tum to see
him and with the Superiors of the MEP. In these talks, Fr. Mario reaffirmed all the decisions
that had been taken previously on the running of the Boys Town, that is, the works would
continue as before. He said that the “Salesianization” of the works would be done gradually.
The necessary permits
Since they were not of French nationality, the Salesians needed special permits from the
government in order to work in Vietnam. There was no difficulty in obtaining permits from
the Ordinary. Mgr. Seitz suggested Mgr. Khuê to invite the Salesians to come to Ha Noi (July
12 1952), then Mgr. Khue permitted them to open their monastery (October 12 1952) and
immediately asked the Holy See to approve it and it was approved on November 8. On
December 18, the Bishop handed over to the Salesians the papers relating to the properties.
His particular generosity offended the MEP because the Salesians were not of French
nationality. But Mgr. Seitz and Mgr. Khuê answered them: “They must become greater, but
we must become less!” On the other hand, obtaining permits from the government was more
difficult. To obtain this, therefore, Mgr. Seitz wanted to hold a solemn ceremony for the
handover of the Orphanage to Salesians, to take this opportunity to talk with the persons
concerned in order to make it easy for the Salesians to get the permits. He talked with
governor Bình in particular. The governor made big promises without achieving anything.
Fortunately enough, his successor, governor Nguyễn Hữu Trí, after reviewing all the
procedures, was convinced of the usefulness of the works as well as the necessity for the
Salesians to have a favorable status to carry out their works. He made a visit to the Boys
Town and felt very interested. He summoned Fr. Majcen to inquire about the Salesian
Congregation, especially about the nationality of the Salesians. Fr. Majcen easily explained
the international character of the Congregation, assuring him moreover that the Salesian
missionaries, after coming to a place, would not only establish the works there but also
prepare the local members to continue these works. He explained this by giving an example
from Slovenia, his own country, where the Salesian Congregation was established by the
Italian Salesians, then was continued by the Hungarian and Polish Salesians, and now it is
completely Slovenian under the direction of Slovenian Superiors. The governor was very
pleased with this story, because he was a real patriotic, even though as a government official
he must depend on the French. Consequently he overcame a great deal of difficulties to
eventually approve the Salesian works by a decree promulgated on December 19 1952, a
memorable day!6 The governor praised Mgr. Seitz’s work, congratulated the Salesians and
encouraged the children to exercise themselves. This was the permit that in principle the
foreigners working in Vietnam could only obtain after 10 years’ residence in Vietnam.
This result marked the last imprint of Mgr. Seitz’s efforts to get the French approval for
the Salesians to become a legal (moral) entity working for the good of the public, with all the
rights to work and develop Don Bosco’s Works.7 Perhaps Fr. Mario and Fr. Giacomino had
not realized yet the importance of this document that was obtained with so much difficulty
6 Fr. Majcen emphasized this: “Questa soluzione è stata fatta il 19 XII 1952 di memoranda memoria. Scrivo
anche questo anche per i nostril confratelli future prediletti”.
7 “Ente Morale di UTILITA PUBLICA con tutti diritti di lavorare e sviluppare Opere di Don Bosco.”
86
|
|
10.5 Page 95 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 12: Fr. Andrej Majcen as the Pilot in the Years 1952-54 87
for the non-French Salesians or purely Vietnamese Salesians. With this legal entity for public
good, we were able to organize tombolas and receive pensions. This permit was valid until
Ngô Đình Diệm’s regime. President Ngô Đình Diệm later also approved a similar document
on the base of the previous one. And I want also to mention here the efforts of Fr. Ty later to
get permit from the Communists for the Salesians to work in Vietnam. Vietnam is not China;
Vietnam government in principle recognize the Catholic Church.
“I’m sure it is not exact”
In order to continue receiving pensions from the Social Department, annual financial
reports must be submitted. In fact the reports were presented, but Mrs. Dubois used to spend
very lavishly while the good economer Fr. Vacher Vuong made the balance reports in a rather
easy way. The Social Department Director asked Fr. Majcen: “Can you be sure these
expenses are correct?” “I’m sure it is not exact”, answered Fr. Majcen sincerely, and he
explained to him that with only three months in office he was unable to take full control of
the administration. The Director laughed, and from then on he became a close friend of Fr.
Majcen until the end of 1974.
Progess in spiritual life
All of us were convinced that our works were always in difficult conditions and we had
to rely entirely on “Our help comes from the Lord” and on Mary Help of Christians who did
everything. With his great zeal, Fr. Giacomino when working at Thái Hà Ấp introduced some
types of Salesian practices including the novena of the Immaculate Conception in preparation
for Christmas, and the daily reciting of the Rosary, as well as the monthly celebration of
Mary Help of Christians on every 24th day of the month, and the more frequent confession.
The school also took all possible opportunities to promote the attendance of the Mass, by
attendance first on every Sunday then daily. This renovation did not please everybody, and
some priests even considered it as too much. Of course they were not against the practices of
piety, they were only afraid of introducing a pious system of a school style. Nevertheless the
renovation helped to make Christmas celebrations become more fervent and the Te Deum
was sung more enthusiastically at the end of the year.
Fr. Giacomino Minh in Bùi Chu
Fr. Giacomino Minh started learning Vietnamese in Ba Thá. On the Tết (February 1953),
with the permission of Ha Noi Bishop, he accepted Mgr. Chi’s invitation to come to Bui Chu
to continue his Vietnamese studies. Bùi Chu was an important diocese for many fervent
Christians, with a beautiful church and a seminary full of seminarians. The purpose of Mgr.
Chi’s invitation was that Fr. Giacomino could go to Bui Chu and establish a Salesian work
there. This might be a good idea, but the disturbing political situation prevented the
development of this idea.
The Director of the Holy Infancy Society8 visited Fr. Majcen
Mgr. Seitz invited the Director of the Holy Infancy Society that had their office in Paris
(now in Rome) to visit the Orphanage. Mgr. Seitz had previously written to this Society an
application for aids with an annual financial report attached, and the Orphanage’s needs, and
explained that the Salesians would come to take over the Orphanage. The Director promise to
help because he knew the works of the Salesians of Don Bosco. In particular he was
8 Direttore della Santa Infanzia.
|
|
10.6 Page 96 |
▲back to top |
88 Chapter 12: Fr. Andrej Majcen as the Pilot in the Years 1952-54
interested in the children of the kindergarten and the small orphans by the war, who were the
majority of the Orphanage’s children. I have received this Society’s aids for the orphans
every year until 1974.
One intervention leading to another
Mgr. Seitz wanted to make a family of both big and small boys living together. This was
a good idea in its presentation, but I noticed that this kind of family was in reality not the kind
of natural families with a father and a mother, but a mixed family with big and small boys
sleeping in the same dormitory, and some of them had been victims of evil, and of abuses
from the bigger ones, not only by obliging the smaller ones to serve them, but also by making
the smaller ones victims of immoral acts. When he noticed an immoral case happened, Fr.
Majcen ordered Fr. Faugère and assistant Trần to investigate and eventually dismiss the
abuser. This intervention encouraged Fr. Majcen to find other better arrangements and
applied them after consultation with the Provincial.
A visit to Sơn Tây city
Ba Vì is a big mountain range of soil and limestone covering an area of 5,000 hectares
including three districts Ba Vì (Hà Nội), Lương Sơn and Kỳ Sơn (Hoà Bình), about 60
kilometers from Hà Nội.
Ba Vì has several mounts, the most famous of which is Tản Viên (also called Ngọc Tản
Sơn or Phượng Hoàng Sơn). Tản Viên is 1,281 m high, tapering near its top but spreading at
its summit to form an umbrella (that was why it was called Tản [傘], meaning spreading).
88
|
|
10.7 Page 97 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 12: Fr. Andrej Majcen as the Pilot in the Years 1952-54 89
There is a Ha (Lower) Temple at its foot, a Trung (Medium) Temple in the middle, and a
Thượng (Higher) Temple at its top dedicated to Sơn Tinh (Tản god). At the mountain foot is
the Đà River, and an artificial lake called Suối Hai 7 km long and 4 km large with 14 islets
that actually are small hills emerging from the water.
Fr. Majcen had for a long time taken notice of the badge on the childrens’ shirts on
which were printed the words: Christ the King City 1943-1953 with the Ba Vì (three-top
mountain) image and a star on top, symbol of Our Lady of Ba Vì.
Fr. Faugère’s jeep took us across a large beautiful field with small villages, stretches of
bananas and coconut trees, with thatched houses scattered here and there. We stopped before
Sơn Tây City, a city founded by King Minh Mạng whose persecutions killed a great number
of our martyrs. I read on a stele names of innumerable men and women who had offered their
lives for their faith. With a sense of devotion I went with Fr. Faugère to a grassland nearby,
where the Vietnamese martyrs had shed their blood. I knelt down, praying the Lord to give
me strength and faith. We looked up to the mountain where the Vietminh currently had their
camps, and we fancied that it was there the Salesian works in Vietnam had begun. Fr.
Faugère continued explaining that there had been a church, dormitories and small villas, all
had been built by Mgr. Seitz but had then been destroyed by French bombings. Mgr. Seitz
repeatedly told us that we would receive 1 million dong (a very big sum) for indemnities.
Walking along the plot, I noticed a location called Thanh, where there had been a Japanese
airbase wherefrom they sent their aircrafts to bomb Kunming. There were here buildings with
one-meter roofs to shelter the aircrafts. A little farther, I saw the ruins of a village that had
entirely been rased to the ground by bombing, except a lonely church of Son Tay that still
stood superbly like a Cathedral! There was nearby a parish with a French parish priest who
was loved so much by the Vietnamese, because he used to give medicines to their sick.
Christ’s charity does not discriminate this side or that side: it is only concerned with those
members of Christ who suffer. It was from here, amid the ruins of war, that the Christ the
King City had gathered the children of the victims of destructive wars, including Bro. Tho,
now a Salesian lay brother, who had been abandoned here after his parents were killed,
together with some other boys who worked as shoepolishers on the streets of Hà Nội for a
living.
Feasts of St. Francis of Sales and St. John Bosco
On the feast of Don Bosco, Mgr. Khuê came to celebrate the solemn Mass. The children
cleaned the places, decorated the houses with flags and banners. They were exhorted to clean
their hearts by making confession. On feastdays, every child was given a new suit, a pair of
shoes and a hat.
On Tết holidays, the children did not go to school. They enjoyed catching fishes, eels or
turtles to improve their meals. Since a cease-fire was declared by both French and
Vietnamese governments, we had a few calm days without gunfire or airplane’s roaring
during night. On Tết days, Fr. Faugère Vương got some money from government officials or
benefactors who came to wish him Happy Vietnamese New Year. Mrs. Dubois drove her
truck to the military camps to take everything she could be given and brought back to the
children, which made them very happy.
Mgr. Seitz also recommended Fr. Majcen to give the children on Christmas and Tết a gift
in cash called “lì xì” so that they would not steal, because on these occasions they felt the
need of using money. And so Fr. Giacomino had the opportunity to go among the children to
distribute small envelops of “lì xì”. By now Fr. Giacomino had been able to say a few
|
|
10.8 Page 98 |
▲back to top |
90 Chapter 12: Fr. Andrej Majcen as the Pilot in the Years 1952-54
Vietnamese sentences he had learned in Ba Thá. On these occasions, we needed a ‘mountain
of money’ because we had very many children, not only the actual pupils but also the past
pupils who came back to visit their dear Orphanage. Fr. Phan, the catechist, also published
the Trúc Lâm Bulletin, a magazine that all the children liked very much because on that
bulletin they could read articles written by the past pupils and the news on the Orphanage.
Charity fairs
On their visit to wish Happy Tết to the governor, Fr. Majcen and Fr. Faugère presented
to the governor the Orphanage’s needs. The governor therefore had the initiative to open a
charity fair to help. In front of a big pagoda not very far from the City, there was a large
empty space called the historic Đống Đa hill, and rows of kiosks were set up there.
Everybody went there to enjoy themselves. On this occasion, the children also celebrated the
feast of Hai Bà Trưng, the two sisters who had killed themselves for Vietnam’s independence
in the same time when Jesus was still on this earth. The governor also lent his legionnaires
clothed in red and leading the elephants and horses to and fro, making the children very
happy with these animals. And the big boys also sold tombola tickets under the supervision of
Mrs. Dubois. But the financial benefits of the fairs eventually turned out to be zero. The
reason was that we did not control the organization, leading to a complete disorder and
consequently a great waste of money. This was a real lesson for Fr. Majcen and the Salesians
who always valued exactitude and discipline.
A holiday tour with the Bishop
Mgr. Khuê—who later became a cardinal—wanted to know Fr. Majcen and the Salesians
better in their interest in the Vietnamese youth and its problems, especially in North Vietnam.
He therefore invited Fr. Majcen to enjoy a tour at Hạ Long Bay with him. They went to Hải
Phòng by car then got on board a small boat to Hạ Long, one among the wonders of the world
with thousands of islets, and a flora and fauna ecology. At noon we came to Cẩm Phả port
and passed by Cẩm Phả coal mine with open coal reserves of first class in the world. We
were provided with a beautiful guest house to rest, swim and walk along the coasts. After
swimming for a while, the two had a walk while talking with one another. The Bishop
proposed to Fr. Majcen to take over the Catholic printing house. Fr. Majcen promised to
present this offer to the Provincial, but he also expressed his concern for lack of personnel.
The Bishop also wanted to invite the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians to come to work
in Vietnam and to entrust them with the running of the Catholic Bookstore as well as the care
of poor and orphan girls. Fr. Majcen agreed to write a letter to the FMA Provincial whom he
knew well in Hong Kong. This was the first time we asked for the FMA to come to Vietnam
because there were many vocations here. But the FMA Provincial later answered she could
not accept the offer at the moment while the war was at its peak. Only until 1961 have the
FMA come to work in Vietnam. After his holiday tour with the Bishop, Fr. Majcen always
kept a good memory of this simple and saintly bishop. Later on, when the Bishop was created
a Cardinal, Fr. Majcen wrote to congratulate him. The Bishop wrote an answer letter, with his
memories of the time they worked together in friendship and mutual trust.
I will never forget you, dear little Joseph!
Fr. Majcen narrated: I went to visit a good boy at hospital. I remember having talked
with him for a long time while he was in the infirmary in our house under the benevolent care
of Fr. Faugère. This was a good, pious boy who had lost both of his parents in a cruel battle
and was left alone with a very bad health because of lack of food and medicine for a long
90
|
|
10.9 Page 99 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 12: Fr. Andrej Majcen as the Pilot in the Years 1952-54 91
time. Before his going to hospital, I gave him some money to buy his necessities. This time
he wanted to bid farewell to me, thanking me for everything. He said: “I’ve made a
confession. Please offer me a Mass after I die.” Then he searched in his shirt pocket and took
out some paper, handed it to me and said: “This is the money you have given me on my
feastday, please take it and offer a Mass for me…” and he asked me to bless him with the
blessing of Mary Help of Christians, without forgetting to recommend me to pray for him.
We both cried. I said: “I will never forget you.” Then one morning, the Superior of the Sisters
at the hospital phoned me and announced me that the good boy had returned to our Heavenly
Father’s house. I said a Mass for him… With a fatherly heart, I can never forget my little son,
and I am convinced that praying for him is in fact praying for the vocations, because he
himself had wanted to become a Salesian religious.
We prepared for his burial, and not only did we give him a tombstone, we actually
looked for a decent cemetery for the children who died of disease or of war, who were not
few in North Vietnam at that time. These deaths were also opportunities for other children to
recite the Rosary daily, to make the monthly exercise of happy death as Don Bosco taught,
together with an examination of conscience, making confession with the catechist Fr. Phan,
and say the prayer for a happy death in community, with a resolution to conversion. This was
the key for good moral conduct as Don Bosco taught.
|
|
10.10 Page 100 |
▲back to top |
CHAPTER 13: THE ORPHANAGE’S PROGRESS IN MARCH 1953
In the Orphanage, I worked alone with Fr. Faugère. Fr. Mario also visited us. He was
looking for new Salesian comers to organize the new school term according to the Salesian
direction.
Mgr. Seitz also visited us on the occasion of his consultation meeting with the Nuncio,
and he brought us various aids. Although the situation was growing more and more difficult,
the Salesians were always optimistic.
Spiritual help from the Redemptorists
The Redemptorist Fathers of Canadian and Vietnamese nationality in particular were an
important spiritual force in North Vietnam. Don Bosco had himself drawn on his spirituality
and popular devotion from the Redemptorist Founder, St. Alphonsus Liguori. On the
occasion of Mgr. Seitz’s visit, the Redemptorist Fathers invited him, me, Fr. Faugère and the
catechist Fr. Phan for a lunch in their large Redemptorist community. Mgr. Seitz thanked the
Redemptorists for their great help to the Orphanage, while I asked them to preach the retreat
to our children who also desired a life transformation under the guidance of the
Redemptorists. After lunch, with his glass of champagne in hand and his addictive tobacco
pipe on his lips, Mgr. Seitz looked into my eyes and gently said to me: “Dear Majcen, you
Salesians with your Mary Help of Christians have lost the battle to win the first spiritual
position, because in all the families and churches, everywhere people are very devoted to
Mary of Perpetual Help.” At this, all the eyes turned toward me as if they wanted to hear my
reply in a French mixed with Yugoslavian… I calmly said that we did not lose the battle,
because Mary Help of Christians was also Mother of the Church and of all of us Christians,
and also the refuge of sinners… I was not even aware how many titles of Mary in the litany
that I was listing, and She was the same as Mary of Perpetual Help of the Redemptorists…
A retreat for a spiritual renovation of our children
The Superiors decided to invite the spiritual experts of the Redemptorists to help our
children, but they also wanted that the children themselves take initiatives in this matter.
Most important was the preparation for them to make a good confession, with firm
resolutions to conversion from their wandering lives. Due to my poor Vietnamese language, I
could not help much, but Fr. Phan help a great deal by hearing confession and giving
exhortations to them, together with other Vietnamese priests who knew the hearts of
Vietnamese children very well. This was also a lesson for myself, so that when the hour
came, Christ and Don Bosco would be inscribed in the hearts and minds of the Vietnamese
people.
The retreat was so successful that after it finished, a confessor brought to Father Rector a
trunk of stolen things returned by the boys after their confession, of course with their
anonymity as the confessional secret required. The stolen things were of any kinds, including
the sacred objects, even the relics of the martyrs, their ancestors.
Later on, when Fr. Mario Acquistapace heard of this incident, he collected the body parts
of the Vietnamese martyrs to make memorial relics of the holy martyrs in Vietnam. It was Fr.
Mario’s merit to have instilled the devotion to the Vietnamese Martyrs in the hearts of
92
|
|
11 Pages 101-110 |
▲back to top |
|
|
11.1 Page 101 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 13: The Orphanage’s Progress in March 1953 93
Vietnamese Salesian pupils. We know that now1 in Macao, many relics of Vietnamese
martyrs are still kept.
A visit to the church of Mary Queen of the Vietnamese Martyrs
Fr. Faugère took me on a visit to the church of the martyr Venard in Hà Nội, exactly on
the same day in commemoration of this martyr during Lent season (today the feast of St.
Venard is on February 2). He showed me the cage in which St. Father Theophane Venard was
locked waiting for his execution decreed by the Hue court. The saint was beheaded here, his
head was thrown into the river, but in the morning his head brightened and a faithful noticing
it secretely took it up and it was later brought to Paris. St. Thèrèse de l’Enfant Jésus herself
affirmed that the saint was her favorite saint who prompted her to undergo a martyrdom
without bloodshed, which was highlighted as a spirituality by Pope John Paul II when he
canonized Bishop Versiglia. St. Theresa entered the novitiate in 1888.
Two remarkable arrivals
It was during those days that arrived to the Orphanage the decree for the canonical
erection of Hà Nội religious house, approved by the Sacred Congregation for Religious and
Secular Institutes and was signed by the Rector Major Ziggiotti on March 14 1953. And
unexpectedly on March 20 1953, a Hollander Salesian, Fr. Bohnen arrived to Hà Nội. He
spoke French, English and several other languages fluently, and started to learn Vietnamese.
He was a smart prefect of studies and was respected by everybody. As usual, a party was held
for the Orphanage’s children and the staff, to introduce him and to give him information on
what he could do for his children, the victims of war.
Other events
Christ the King City was situated near a French military airport. Aircrafts carrying
bombs kept hovering over our roofs before landing at the airport. On the night bombings,
almost all were suddenly awakened by these aircrafts. I felt very nervous and could not sleep.
I usually went to watch for the Salesian’s dormitory. As for the infirmary where the sick
children were taken care of, a big boy was studying to become a nurse to help the sick boys
and to give them medicines after consultation with Fr. Faugère. In other more serious cases,
we called for doctors or sent the sick to hospital. On the average, the Orphanage had about 20
sick boys per day. As vice-rector of the Orphanage, I also had to adjust for the recidivist
sicknesses or for those who had minor illnesses to give them something to do to avoid
idleness.
A contract renewal for the Kindergarten
On the other hand, the contract between Fr. Seitz and the Lovers of the Cross Sisters on
the kindergarten expired. With Fr. Faugère’s help, Fr. Majcen could talk with their Superior
to renew the contract, because the Salesians were not competent in the running of the
kindergarten, and also because we could not find others who could help. And the Sisters
responded positively. They prepared for baptism to some smaller children while preparing the
bigger ones to receive other sacraments. Later in the South, the smaller were entrusted to the
St. Paul Sisters in Sài Gòn. Some of the boys eventually entered the Salesian aspirantate to
become Salesians.
1 “now”: in 1986, when Fr. Majcen wrote this.
|
|
11.2 Page 102 |
▲back to top |
94 Chapter 13: The Orphanage’s Progress in March 1953
Holy Week
Holy Week was always very much appreciated by Vietnamese Catholic thanks to the
“ngắm đứng”—a kind of standing meditation on the Passion—introduced by the first Spanish
missionaries. By a spiritual retreat, our children had more fervor to celebrate the Holy Week.
The old catechist Thống daily sang the Passion in Vietnamese that excited deep emotions in
listeners. When in Rome, do as the Romans do… God’s way is multifarious, fitting the
Vietnamese disposition. A meditation of this kind certainly has greater impact on Vietnamese
heart than the sermons. I must admit that Easter is a very important moment in religious life.
President Hồ organized the resistance
The famous President Hồ Chí Minh at first had attempted to seize power by democratic
means. But in the free election in 1946 he only got success for himself, while his party did
not get a majority of votes. He therefore decided to create a real army to conquer the whole of
Vietnam.
Hồ’s guerrilla war was organized in the forests and mountains to the north, near the
Chinese borders of Mao
In these forests and mountains where the tribes lived, there were very few roads. The
tribes included the Miao, Black Thai, White Thai, Tày Thánh, Sre, Khô, Banar and Già Làng
who had very particular ways of living. They lived behind bamboos fences to protect
themselves the from tigers, elephants and snakes, and at night they lighted fire to warm up.
Most of them support the French, others lived independently. The Vietminh made frequent
invasions into their areas, occupied their places or hid themselves in natural caves, concealed
their ammunitions, their hospitals and their camps. From there they launched attacks under
the supreme leadership of Ho Chi Minh and general Võ Nguyên Giáp. They took the poppy
planted there and sold them to buy weapons and ammunitions from the French. The local
tribes and part of the Thais, the Black Thais in particular, had to flee in caravans to Ha Noi
together with their families. Consequently our Orphanage began to have new neighbors. The
Thai women dressed themselves very smart and decently. Their chieftain spoke French very
well. The Thais included Red, Black, White Thais, based on the colors of their women’s
clothes. It was certain that these Thais were similar to the Thais in Thailand. Because of the
consequences of these flights, the governor summoned Fr. Majcen and told him that the
multitude of the refugees in the city obliged him to reduce the pensions granted to the
Orphanage, but he said he would find other ways to help him.
The Orphanage’s progress
In this changing situation of the country, preparations for war grew more and more
intense on Điện Biên Phủ plateau, also called the plateau of ancient vases marking the ages
old culture of the Vietnamese people. It was here that the fate of the Vietnamese people
would be decided, a fact that we must know. It was here that began the protracted war, and it
was the place that underwent innumerable bombing and gunfire, where the French were
defeated and the Vietnam war ended. To prepare for what would come after the French defeat
at Điện Biên Phủ on May 6 1954, the Vietminh started constructing the Hồ Chí Minh trail
that would lead to the liberation of the South.
However, our Salesians in the North at the beginning of 1953 were not aware of the
extremely serious situation, and they continued developing the works of the Orphanage
tranquilly.
94
|
|
11.3 Page 103 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 13: The Orphanage’s Progress in March 1953 95
Following the instructions of the Health Department, Fr. Vacher set up a filter system to
give pure drinking water to the children to prevent diseases. Moreover, the new prefect of
studies, Fr. Bohnen, thought of a playground for the children, because a Salesian house could
not be conceived without a playground. And he prepared a playground in front of the pagoda,
on the empty plot given by Mayor Phúc. We moreover made an earth bridge across the fish
ponds and filled up a rice field for a second playground. The children eagerly helped to make
the playground. Mayor Phúc also allowed to have cars transporting debris from Hà Đông
(taken from the destructions by bombings). He even supplied the balls, taught the game rules
and our children quickly accommodated themselves with the football game.
Mrs. Nixon’s visit
In April, there was at the Boys Town a visit of Mrs. Nixon, escorted by a French general.
The welcome was very solemn. Fr. Bohnen made an eloquent speech, with many eulogies
and congratulations but no money was given. On the other hand, Mgr. Seitz handed to Fr.
Majcen 1 million dong for war indemnity to our former Orphanage in Ba Vì. When giving
the money, Mgr. Seitz also recommended us to use the money thriftily because it was got
with so much difficulty, but in fact Mrs. Dubois and Fr. Vacher spent it wastefully. Therefore
we wished to have soon a Salesian economer who could manage the money more
economically, but we had to wait in patience. As long as the money was not in our hands, we
could not expect a reasonable management.
In Hà Nội, May 1953
This was the Mary Jubilee Year proposed by Vietnamese Bishops.
Who would save us from this bloody war with so many deaths and sufferings, if it were
not the Virgin Mary, our Mother? Our children were well prepared by the Redemptorist
Fathers and by the demonstrations of the great devotion to Our Lady in the neighboring
churches.
Every Saturday, all the roads were full of people going to church to pray, make
confession, do Eucharistic adoration. Our Lady also opened a path in our children’s hearts at
Thái Hà Ấp. In his frequent visit to our house, the Provincial, Fr. Mario Acquistapace, a great
apostle of Mary, brought and distributed holy medals, images and booklets in French. He also
gave the blessing of Mary Help of Christians. The good Fr. Phan prepared the children for
baptism. This great devotion was blessed by the Virgin Mary by a great grace: She prepared
for the Salesians during this month the door open to them in their apostolate.
Mary’s gift was the recognition act of the Congregation’s legal status
Our Mother brought us an act so much expected: the recognition of the legal entity of the
Congregation for the service of public good, which would also be useful later in South
Vietnam where we could receive government aids for the children, have right to buy and sell
properties, and open schools. However, at a later date, the South Vietnam required us to get a
new agreement which the Vice-rector Major and Fr. Cuisset eventually got probably in 1963,
two weeks before President Ngô Đình Diệm was killed.
A visit to Bùi Chu Diocese
Fr. Mario Acquistapace came on the feast of Mary Help of Christians. Fr. Majcen
accompanied him to Bùi Chu to see Fr. Giacomino who was studying Vietnamese. They
made a visit to the Redemptorists and to the Brothers Hospitallers of St. John of God. Here
|
|
11.4 Page 104 |
▲back to top |
96 Chapter 13: The Orphanage’s Progress in March 1953
Don Bosco was already known by many through the small story of Don Bosco written by Fr.
Luke Lý. They prayed fervently before the tombs of the martyrs bishops and priests of
Vietnam in the Cathedral built by the French missionaries. They were very impressed by the
ceremony “Dâng hoa” (flower offering) beautifully sung by the girls in honor of Our Lady.
In a great hall, they attended a performance that was interrupted from time to time by
gunfire nearby from the communist attack that was soon driven back.
It was here that they had contact with the first Salesian candidates, including the clerics
Isidore Lê Hướng, Joseph Đinh Xuân Hiên (who later became vice provincial), Phúc and Sử,2
… During the performance there was a communist attack with machine guns but it was
pushed back. We then went with the Belgian Fathers to the Grand Seminary. We could never
forget the great devotion which the simple faithful here had for the Virgin Mary.
On the way back home, their small airplane stopped for two hours in the burning heat at
the airport of Nam Định where Fr. Dupont was killed and buried not far away. The blood of
the martyrs is the seed of new Christians. I thought of princess Chiêm, the elder sister of king
Lê Thế Tông in Nam Định, who was baptized with her Christian name Mary, and was called
Stella Maria (Mai Hoa in Vietnamese).3
Looking for places of work for his pupils
The end of the school year approaching, Fr. Majcen was looking for places of work for
his pupils because on completion of their studies, they had to leave the Orphanage. This was
a very important task for Fr. Majcen who took the role of the family head for his orphan
children. They often came back to this family, especially on the Tết, as well as when they
were sick or got married.
The Lottery
Another task in which Fr. Majcen was very busy in June and in the following months
was the lotterie drawing suggested by Governor Nguyễn Hữu Trí. In order to open a lottery,
one needs to present the prizes or at least give a list of prizes. They were many: 3 jeeps, 100
wooden wardrobes made by our carpenter’s shop, 30 sewing machines, some hundreds of the
illustrated catechism booklets published in French by the Salesian Catechetical Center in
Hong Kong… After having got the permission, we had to proceed with the selling of tickets
on the 15 each month. The drawing date was Christmas. All this required the timely printing
of the tickets, finding people for advertising and selling tickets.
JUNE 1953
Salesian literature
To welcome the Salesians, Mgr. Piquet, bishop of Nha Trang, ordered to reprint the
booklet on Don Bosco of Fr. Luke Lý, to make Don Bosco’s Sons known to the people. For
his part, Mgr. Thuc, bishop of Huế, had his seminarians publish the booklets on Dominic
2 The two latter were later ordained but has now been secularized.
3 Fr. Majcen called her Princess Stella Maria: Mary the Star. The princess was founder of the convent of
Immaculate Conception and was its Superior until her death (see A History of the Catholic Church of Bùi Đức
Sinh).
96
|
|
11.5 Page 105 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 13: The Orphanage’s Progress in March 1953 97
Savio, on the Preventive System, on the Dreams of Don Bosco, and other writings on the
Salesians.4
The Lottery
According to the project of Governor Trí, a Caodaist, Fr. Majcen asked for permission to
open a semi-public lottery to sell tickets nationwide, starting from June 15 to draw on
Christmas day. Before it was permitted, Fr. Majcen had to officially present the prizes.
Therefore we agreed with Fr. Vacher, the economer, and Fr. Faugère on the prizes including
100 wardrobes made by our carpenter’s shop, 10 sewing machines bought at low price but of
good quality, and Fr. Majcen bought from Fr. Coerezza about 100 illustrated catechism
booklets in French. The three top prizes were three jeeps. The painter Đại drew the pictures
for the tickets to be printed.
Looking for jobs for young worker
Another task was going here and there looking for workplace for the young workers.
Besides the Orphanage was always the place to receive them when they were sick, during
holidays or in their weddings, so that they could come back as to their parents’ house. Fr.
Majcen was always willing to follow this system in the role of a father of the orphans, in
imitation of Mgr. Seitz.
JULY 1953
Fr. Generoso Bogo (Cha Quảng)
On July 4, 1953, Fr. Generoso Bogo arrived in Hà Nội. By his unique character and
personality, he all at once got the sympathy of both the children and Superiors. Fr. Mario
Acquistapace himself came to appoint him catechist to take care of spiritual matters. His
outgoing, open character soon won everybody’s heart, both of the teachers and the children.
His French with an Brazilian accent made the Bishop, priests and the governor as well as
other civil officials and the consulate staff very impressed. They were very enthusiastic when
seeing the Salesian community staff increase day after day with confreres of various
nationalities including Italian, Hollander, Yugoslavian, Brazilian, Argentine, and later
French, who lived in Don Bosco’s family spirit and who were working in a very difficult
episode for the good of poor and orphan children.
The first Salesian aspirants
During the summer holidays, the first Salesian aspirants came to help the Salesians. The
Bùi Chu Seminary’s Director himself introduced to Fr. Majcen the new aspirants Lê Hướng,5
Tiệm,6 Sử, and Phúc.7 Later also came others: Hoan,8 Joseph Hiên,9 and Thành (who later
entered the Salesian Province of Paris under the new name Đường).
4 See MPI, p. 76.
5 Now parish priest in a parish of Ban Mê Thuột diocese.
6 Later became parish priest of Thanh Bình, Đà Lạt diocese, and now has become bishop of Bùi Chu diocese.
7 Sử and Phúc were ordained priests but now have been secularized.
8 The lay brother Hoan, once provincial councillor.
9 Fr. Joseph Đinh Xuân Hiên SDB, parish priest of Đức Huy, Đồng Nai diocese.
|
|
11.6 Page 106 |
▲back to top |
98 Chapter 13: The Orphanage’s Progress in March 1953
The Mass Servant group
Fr. Generoso Bogo all at once organized a group of Altar servers taken from among the
best boys, including Joseph Thọ,10 John Ty,11 Marc Huỳnh,12 Joseph Mỹ who later was
ordained priest and was a composer, Tôn,13 and a boy who later entered the Thủ Đức
aspirantate, originally son of an employee of the printing shop in Hà Nội.14 The diocesan
cleric Bảo15 also came to Fr. Majcen and wanted to become a Salesian, but only later, after
becoming a priest, has he become a Salesian.
We also had an interim Chapter of the Vietnamese Provincial Delegation in the presence
of the Provincial, Fr. Mario, to start having some changes in the practices of piety according
to Salesian usage such as preferably daily Mass, night prayer accompanied by goodnight talk.
Fr. Phan and Teacher Trần, the assistant, helped to implement these practices. In addition,
many boys agreed to recite daily Rosary… But the French priests thought these changes
inappropriate and they had an argument with Fr. Majcen.
10 Later became a lay brother, originally a real “Garelli”, orphan, vagabond.
11 Later became the first Vietnamese Salesian Provincial after having been a Special Delegate of the Rector
Major.
12 Once provincial councillor and economer of Vietnam.
13 Once president of the Association of Past Pupils in USA.
14 Now a Salesian past pupil, living in USA.
15 Later became parish priest of Phước Thành, Đồng Nai diocese.
98
|
|
11.7 Page 107 |
▲back to top |
CHAPTER 14: AUG – SEP - DEC 1953 IN HA NOI
AUGUST 1953
The Workshop Heads
We had the need and also the desire to have the heads for the workshops. But it remained
a mere promise for months, because in those big workshops, the children actually did not
learn anything. Although Fr. Vacher had several advisers and skilled artisans, they were not
true craft teachers… Some learned a trade with some Catholics in the neighborhood, others at
the Renault garage. A few boys went to the Lasalle Brothers’ secondary school. Realizing
that our Salesians could not well prepare the boys for their lives, Mgr. Seitz managed to have
some of them going to university. As a result, among the orphans, there were some who
became doctors, such as Dr. Tường, Dr. Quát, and two other doctors,1 and some also became
teachers like teacher Long, some even became colonel.
We always emphasized that our Aberdeen School in Hong Kong would send mechanics
teachers as we wanted. In fact, in November, Bro. Andrew Bragion (Thầy Báu)2 came to us.
Late, on the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Aberdeen School, I had the opportunity to
thank the school for this gift. We also had a head for the sewing workshop who was a past
pupil and who worked for us until 1975.3
A semi-public lottery
The semi-public lottery officially started with the governor Trí granting us permission to
sell the tickets. It was important that the tickets sold could bring us the money we needed for
at least one year. Governor Trí promised oblige all civil servants to buy the tickets. General
Cogny ordered and promised that we could sell tickets to the soldiers in their camps. This
was what Fr. Majcen and Fr. Faugère did. And the MEP Fathers also helped to sell the tickets
at the request of Mgr. Seitz to the faithful in parishes. Knowing Chinese, Fr. Majcen sold
tickets to the Chinese merchants in Hải Phòng and other places. Fr. Cuisset took charge of the
sales to French people in the South. Mrs. Dubois distributed the tickets to the boys to sell in
the streets with a 10% commission. This was really a big business and almost extraordinary
for us Salesians… and thanks to this, we could contact the people and spread the idea that
Don Bosco was an apostle of the poor, abandoned and homeless children. This was so
onerous a task that I would never venture to undertake it for a second time… but everybody
knew that this was only in behalf of the poor children, and so much money had come into the
hands of Mrs. Dubois without being recorded. The money was handed to Fr. Vacher for him
to pay all the constructions and salaries to the workers who were innumerable in our Boys
Town.
A narrow escape
The tickets selling threw all the world in activity. One day, Fr. Majcen and Fr. Faugère
went together to sell the tickets at a military camp near the road midway Hà Nội – Hải Phòng.
1 Fr. Majcen forgot their names.
2 Bro. Bragion died in 1986.
3 Fr. Majcen said (after 1975) this man accused us Salesians to the revolutionaries (Communists) but perhaps
this was not exact.
99
|
|
11.8 Page 108 |
▲back to top |
100 Chapter 14: Aug – Sep - Dec 1953 in Ha Noi
Seeing them, the commander colonel was astonished because they had come alive. Then he
explained that this road was very dangerous because of the ambushes in the rice fields that
often blew up the cars in traffic. Our two Fathers told him they only came to send tickets
quickly then go back. On their way back, they made the sign of the Cross, recited the act of
contrition then drove at all speed while saying short prayers to pray to Mary Help of
Christians. But they could not help trembling while on this very bad and 4 km long road. The
next day, in fact, Fr. Vacher got news that on that same day a military car carrying 40 soldiers
had been ambushed and all of them had been killed. Evidently the Vietminh had spared the
two priests but they had not spared the soldiers… How many soldiers had been killed that
way! What we could do was just to pray for the protection of Mary Help of Christians.
Fr. Faugère also went to sell tickets to the French banks, the merchants and other
industries. Very often we had to wait in the burning heat of the day… we were continuously
asked why we sold the tickets and then received their contemptuous and even insulting acts.
In spite of our insistence, they often dismissed us as dogs! Life is not all roses.
Fr. Giacomino’s goodnight talks
Our Rector, Fr. Giacomino, from time to time came from Bùi Chu back to the Boys
Town. He gave pre-written goodnight talks in Vietnamese to the boys. He prepared it very
carefully, but his voice was quivery because he found difficulty with the complex 6 tones
Vietnamese. I understood what he said because I was told the meaning in Italian in advance,
but for the others, I only heard intermittent soft laughs and murmurs among the naughty boys.
Anyway, I had to admire his bravery. Fr. Generoso, on the other hand, was very good at his
Vietnamese in his noble Brazilian accent. And Fr. Bohnen was a smart guy who had a true
gift for languages, and in addition being taught by the Lasalle students, he was marvelous
with his Vietnamese.
SEPTEMBER 1953
Fr. Cuisset (Cha Quí)
On September 7 1953, eve of the Nativity of Our Virgin Mary, we received a new
Salesian priest, Fr. Pierre Cuisset. He is a French Salesian, thin and tall, with a beautiful
beard and very young. When he was a cleric, he worked in Beijing with Fr. Mario
Acquistapace, the person who came to China in Don Bosco’s dream. I am writing these lines
on exactly the 100th anniversary (1886-1986) of Don Bosco’s dream that occurred in April
1886 and that was about the Salesian expansion from China to as far as India. Fr. Cuisset
came to Vietnam to become an economer. He knew mandarin and of course French was his
mother tongue. His ideal was to follow Mgr. Seitz’s example in the service of the poor
children, with a zeal always full of initiatives.
Fr. Cuisset took charge of the lottery ticket sale in Sài Gòn, Nha Trang and Đà Lạt. In
Sài Gòn, his acquaintance includes Fr. Seminel at the Cathedral, a great friend of Fr. Dupont,
an apostle of the young, and who would also become Fr. Cuisset’s friend.
But the first close friend he won was Mrs. Carré, a young widow whose husband had just
died suddenly. Mrs. Carré would sell us a large plot of land in Thủ Đức at a extremely low
nominal price to set up another Salesian work in this area. Mrs. Carré had a French father and
a Vietnamese mother. It was here that would begin the Salesian works in Vietnam in 1954-
56.
100
|
|
11.9 Page 109 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 14: Aug – Sep - Dec 1953 in Ha Noi 101
We looked with hopeful eyes to Fr. Cuisse, who was a man more economical than
anyone else and who loved the Salesian poverty. Even Fr. Mario and Mgr. Seitz were very
hopeful of a better change for the financial matters that had been to wasteful so far.
The beginning of reforms
Through the discussions on the new staff, Fr. Mario, provincial of the China-Vietnam
Province, decided to make a change in the current educational system. The problem consisted
in the utopian system that had been applied so far. But changes could not be made
instantaneously. When the number of Salesians increased, the confreres assisted the families
with the collaboration of the big seminarians from Bùi Chu Seminary. In addition there were
Fr. Phong and teacher Trần as general supervisors. That was the first step. The second, more
important and to be made immediately, was to separate the children into families according to
their ages: bigger, medium, and smaller ones. Bigger and smaller children living together
might create the following inconveniences: the smaller children had to serve the bigger ones
and worse still, there might exist dangers in morality. Fr. Majcen had to make this separation
after such a case was detected. He summoned all the children, and declared to separate them
by their ages. Teacher Trần then explained in Vietnamese on the changes that had been
decided, and read the list, setting up new families. The smaller and medium boys were very
happy, the bigger one on the contrary were discontented and protested. Fr. Majcen was ready
to respond, since this is a matter of life or death. He said loudly: “This is the superiors’
decision and it cannot be changed. Who wants to stay, stay, who doesn’t, leave!” Thus the
discontented boys had to obey and adjust. Some of them had recourse to Fr. Faugère who still
longed for the old system. They begged him to find some jobs outside for them and he
conceded. On the other hand, the smaller children shouted in happiness and brought their
belongings to their new place as instructed by Teacher Trần. Teacher Trần was a wise and
considerate man who knew to arrange things well. This was a most decisive and important
day for us in general, and in particular for Fr. Majcen, who was responsible for the works.
That evening, after the night prayer, Fr. Phan gave the goodnight talk, explaining to the
children the importance of this decision.
In the next month, there was a common kitchen and so we got rid of the individual
kitchen for each family that had resulted in considerable waste both in materials and time.
A boy eighteen times stealing but son of good parents
The French and Vietnamese press talked a lot about streets boys, Mafia-styled robbers
among the youth. They broke public order and were dangerous for society. But what was the
cause? Chiefly it was the war that had caused the deaths of their parents, leading to their
abandonment and terrible consequences. One day a boy was brought to Fr. Majcen.
— How many times have you been in prison?
— 18, Father.
— So you are a professional thief?
— No, Father. I am from a good family, but I have lost my parents and everything, I am
hungry but no one gives me anything… So I have to steal, but every time I steal I am caught
and brought to jail…
I admitted this boy to the Orphanage, and now Fr. Faugère assured me that this boy was
happy in Christ the King City. He became a good boy. He used to look at me lovingly, and
until now I seem to see him:
|
|
11.10 Page 110 |
▲back to top |
102 Chapter 14: Aug – Sep - Dec 1953 in Ha Noi
— Can I become a Salesian, Father?
— Yes, you can. Try to live well and if you have a vocation, nothing is impossible…4
OCTOBER 1953
The Month of Rosary
October 1953 marked the Salesian presence in Vietnam for one year.5
On the anniversary of the consecration of Bishop Paul Seitz, the feast of St. Theresa,
Patron of the City and the beginning of the month of the Holy Rosary, the sons of Don Bosco
began a month with special devotion… in particular with the reciting of the rosary and the
attendance in the Eucharistic adoration. Fr. Mario sent the medals of Mary Help of Christians
and the rosaries for everyone, while exhorting all the Salesians6 to promote the Salesian
devotions.
On their part, the Bishop of Hà Nội and the Redemptorists around us also had their
devotions somehow different from ours, most notable of which was the procession of the
Virgin Mary to each family by turn, where all the Christians of the hamlet gathered to pray
the rosary until late at night. These devotions actually encouraged us Salesians to honor the
month of Rosary in our own way.
Our good rector Giacomino
He had returned to the Orphanage for some time and usually gave the goodnight
prepared for him by our good Catechist Fr. Phan. Fr. Giacomino stressed on the Salesians
assistance and community life in order to sow the Salesian spirit in the children’s hearts.
Fr. Generoso Bogo found the most suitable means to promote the Altar servers group,
through organizing the adventure excursions, dances during the evening parties, and various
saintly “companies” (“pious associations”), gathering the best boys together. This kind of
saintly companies was one of the pillars of the Salesian pedagogical system.
Fr. Bohnen was training the sports groups and he once had to explain in his best French
the significance of our Salesian pedagogy. Once in a conversation with Mgr. Seitz and the
deputy mayor, they asked me whether the Salesians smoked. Of course I asserted that
smoking was forbidden to the Salesians. But they insisted: “Isn’t there an exception?” I
reiterated: “The rule of the Superiors are very clear.” Then all the eyes turned to Fr.
Bohnen… “But in practice? Perhaps one can.” The good Fr. Bohnen said: “In Holland, one
may smoke in their friends’ company.” At this Fr. Giacomino came in my defense… The
French priests always had their pipes on their lips, Mgr. Seitz not excepted. Nevertheless it
was forbidden to smoke in Lent, and Mgr. Seitz said abstaining from smoking as a
mortification was very difficult indeed.
4 Who was this boy? Among the boys sponsored by Mgr. Seitz to follow their vocation in the South, there were
the following: Ty, Huỳnh, Mỹ, Tôn, Khang, Phúc, Sử… When relating his experiences with the boys who
expressed their wish for a religious vocation, Fr. Majcen usually never told their names. But this boy probably
was Khang, who later became a Salesian lay brother but eventually left the Congregation.
5 Oct 3 1952 – Oct 3 1953: Exactly one year since Fr. Giacomino and Fr. Majcen came to Hà Nội.
6 The intended number of Salesians to be sent to Vietnam was almost complete, except Bro. Bragion who would
come in November 1953.
102
|
|
12 Pages 111-120 |
▲back to top |
|
|
12.1 Page 111 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 14: Aug – Sep - Dec 1953 in Ha Noi 103
Selling the lottery tickets and the veneration to the martyrs
Fr. Majcen and Fr. Faugère made a pilgrimage to the parishes in Hà Nội and near Hải
Phòng. Apart from the selling of lottery tickets, they also visited places consecrated by the
blood of innumerable martyrs from the persecutions, including bishops, priests, the faithful
and catechumens as well as the Sisters of the Lovers of the Cross in Vietnam. I must admit
that I often knelt down before the memorials that had been worn out by kisses, and I was
moved to tears. One such instance was when we visited the Dominican monastery and the
church in Hải Dương, where we knelt down before the tombs of the martyrs including those
who had been beatified.7 I remember when we came to Hải Dương, we had to pass over a
very long bridge crossing the Red River. There was a very big church named Kẻ Sặt where
there was the memorial of Fr. Messar (†1723), a Slovenian from Gorizia province. The date
of his death (1723) immediately followed the king’s decree of beheading the missionaries. It
was likely that Fr. Messar was one among the martyred missionaries in Vietnam.8
In hospital
Fr. Majcen suffered a stomachache by eating coconut jam and fish sauce in all his foods.
Still, the Hollander Sr. Francesca was as good as a mother but as strict as a commander
ordered him to fast for days, making him to experience another suffering… but after leaving
hospital he was cured.
Fr. Majcen added: “Later, in the days after the South was liberated, that is from 1975-76,
since there was neither meat nor fat but only coconut cooked in fish sauce, I continued to
suffer other stomachache fits…
In these days we also decided to eliminate the individual kitchen for each family in the
Orphanage. Up to this point, every “family” had had their own kitchen cooked by a chef who
every morning came to take vegetables, rice and meat, fish… and then some of the boys had
to cook for the whole family of about 30 boys. This method seemed best as Mgr. Seitz
conceived, but it took a lot of time because the morning class had to finish at 10.00 am for the
boys to do the cooking, whiles the others had nothing to do, resulting in a waste of time.
Therefore we decided to give up this method and to have a common kitchen instead. This was
very advantageous to reclaim up to two or three hours in the morning and in the evening. It
was necessary for the smaller boys and beneficial for the bigger ones with regard to their
study time. In the meantime, the bloody war was still ravaging.
Changes in staff
The Hong Kong Provincial Council included the Provincial Fr. Mario and other
councilors: Fr. Suppo, Fr. Braga, Fr. Cucchiara, Fr. Massimino, Fr. Ferrari, and the secretary
Fr. Benato. They had to consider the re-organization of the personnel, but this was not an
easy task for them for they only knew the situation through the press that was often
unfavorable to Vietnam. Moreover, the proposal for the position of the Rector had to be
submitted to the approval of the Rector Major. For the moment Fr. Giacomino had to
continue his rectorship to prepare for the 10th anniversary (1943-1953) of the establishment of
7 When Fr. Majcen wrote this, these martyrs have not been canonized yet. The canonization of the 117 martyrs
was done by Pope John Paul II on June 19 1988.
8 “… KESAT dove lavorava padre Messar (†1723) sloveno di Gorizia ed è mortal che giorno dal decreto della
decapitazione… Un Martir VN se!” — Fr. Rassiga understands that Fr. Majcen saw the memorial with Fr.
Messar’s name and his death in 1723, after the king’s decree for the decapitation of the missionaries… a fact
that led Fr. Majcen to think that this Fr. Messar, his Slovenian compatriot, was also a martyr in Vietnam.
|
|
12.2 Page 112 |
▲back to top |
104 Chapter 14: Aug – Sep - Dec 1953 in Ha Noi
the Theresa Orphanage of Mgr. Seitz. Based on the decision at the beginning of the year, the
MEP Fathers only would only help us within a year, then the Salesians had to assume whole
responsibility of the Orphanage. Mgr. Seitz reminded Fr. Vacher to complete his current tasks
in the Orphanage.
104
|
|
12.3 Page 113 |
▲back to top |
CHAPTER 15: IMPORTANT EVENTS IN NOVEMBER 1953
1. Episcopal Conference of Indochina in Hà Nội
The Indochinese Bishop’s Conference was held in Hà Nội in November to discuss the
serious situation and the bishops’ obligation to stay with their faithful in their dioceses in case
the revolutionaries came as it had happened previously in China.
All the bishops from the North, Center and South Vietnam, and from Cambodia and
Laos came. At the end of the assembly, they were invited to attend the ceremony of the
definite handover of the Christ the King City to the Salesians who had been recognized by the
French as a legal entity for the public good.
2. Celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the Orphanage
An historical overview of the Orphanage in ten years
In 1939-40: Mgr. Seitz built an entertainment center for French-Vietnamese youth in Ba
Vì mountain. Then war broke out between Vietminh and French forces. Since 1943 it became
the Ba Vì Orphanage for the abandoned children.
19511: The center was bombed and destroyed, the children were dispersed. They were
gathered again in Sơn Tây, like Don Bosco’s wandering Oratory, in borrowed establishments
such as Lacordaire School, Lasalle School, the Redemptorists’ house and in the Viceroy’s
Thái Hà Ấp.
1951-52: Finally he bought a land where Fr. Vacher built the Christ the King City. The
Salesians worked together with the MEP Fathers in this Boys Town between 1952-53 and
exactly on its 10th anniversary the Salesians assumed their full responsibility as a legal entity
before the Church and the government.
Mgr. Seitz decided to hold this anniversary celebration on November 29 1953 where he
bid farewell to the Orphanage’s staff and children and recommended and handed everything
over to the Salesians.
On November 29 1953 the anniversary was celebrated with all its solemnity. The
children wore berets, neckties, and shoes, and kept their houses clean and tidy. In the
morning Mgr. Seitz celebrated the solemn Mass. And a big lunch in the afternoon for the
children and staff. At 16.00, there was the solemn welcome to guests including church,2 civil
and military3 authorities, with songs and music, brass band and even dances. First, Father
Provincial delivered a speech thanking everybody and promising that the Salesians would
continue the works with their best efforts. Mgr. Seitz gave an historical overview of the
works from Ba Vì to present. He exhorted the Salesians to work for the poor and they would
receive God’s blessing. The Governor congratulated the Salesians and promised to continue
with his help. After all the speeches, there was a tea and then the guests made a tour and
admired the show on the ten year development of the Orphanage.
1 Fr. Majcen wrote “1957”, but probably “1951” was more correct logically and historically.
2 Including the Papal Nuncio, the Bishop of Hà Nội, other bishops, in particular Mgr. Piquet of Nha Trang, Mgr.
Cassaigne of Sài Gòn, Mgr. Mare formerly working in Kunming, two Dominican bishops, Mgr. Đoàn and
Mgr. Đại of Hải Phòng.
3 The Honorable Governor Trí, the generals and other Vietnamese and French civil officials.
105
|
|
12.4 Page 114 |
▲back to top |
106 Chapter 15: Important Events in November 1953
Two patron feasts and the appointment of offices
The next day was the patron feast of Fr. Andrea Majcen and Bro. Andrea Bragion, who
came to Hà Nội two weeks ago. He was a gift given to the Orphanage by the Aberdeen
Technical School in Hong Kong. The children surrounded them to offer flowers. On the same
day Father Provincial nominated Fr. Majcen as rector, Fr. Cuisset Quí as vice-rector and
economer, Fr. Bohnen Bản as prefect of studies in educational and vocational fields, Fr.
Generoso Quảng as catechist taking care of spiritual matters of the children, Fr. Giacomino
Minh as confessor and Bro. Bragion Báu as head of workshop.
Then Mgr. Seitz announced in Vietnamese a list of the Superiors while explaining each
office to the pupils and staff.
In the hearts of the first Salesians and children in Vietnam, Mgr. Seitz remained forever
the the founder of the Orphanage, a charismatic figure who lived for the poor, abandoned
children like Don Bosco did, an implementer, an educator and a father of the orphans.
He continued to help us. He allowed Fr. Faugère Cao to remain with us. Since then, this
Father was always an effective assistant to Fr. Majcen in all difficult situations.
As Bishop of Kontum and Ban Mê Thuột, he helped us during the 1954 immigration into
the South. In 1975 he was forced to leave Vietnam, but he continued to live for Vietnam until
his death in Paris on February 23 1984.
106
|
|
12.5 Page 115 |
▲back to top |
CHAPTER 16: FR. MAJCEN BECAME RECTOR
OF THE WORK IN HA NOI
1. Fr. Majcen became Rector of the work
By the choice of the Rector Major and the Superior Council,1
By taking the oath before Fr. Mario as prescribed by the constitutions,
Being introduced by Fr. Mario and Mgr. Seitz to the pupils and staff,
FR. ANDREJ MAJCEN became a Rector responsible for the WORK in Hà Nội on
November 30 1953.
First, Fr. Mario Acquistapace summoned all the House Council members for a first
meeting. As an apostle of Mary and in his immense trust in Don Bosco’s works, he ordered
and promoted allegiance to our Father St. John Bosco. The approaching Christmas was also
the lottery drawing day. Our aim was always the formation of Salesian vocations. Fr. Bellido,
a Superior Councilor, always recommended us to take care of the formation of the Salesian
Vietnamese collaborators. To proceed slowly and wisely in the context of the revolutionary
events.
While the confreres were discussing in the house, the noise of machine guns and cannons
and the roaring of aircrafts were heard from outside. Such was the atmosphere of the first
meeting of the House Council.
Fr. Majcen officially started his rectorship from this month until August 15 1954. Fr.
Giacomino Minh humbly accepted his position as a confessor. Mrs. Dubois, who had first
served Fr. Dupont, then Mgr. Seitz and finally the Salesians in the City, now in tears bid
farewell to the Salesians to go to Kon Tum to serve Mgr. Seitz before definitely going back to
France with so much regret in her heart and also no longer having in hands millions of dong
(to spend).2 Fr. Cuisset Quý began to take direct control of the management. Fr. Generoso
Quảng and Fr. Bohnen did their best to prepare for the Feast of Immaculate Conception,
while directing our vocational candidates to the Salesian education system.
With the Feast of Immaculate Conception, the Jubilee Year promulgated by the Bishops
of Vietnam solemnly started over the whole country.
The lottery drawing
Fr. Majcen and Fr. Faugère made their last efforts for the lottery drawing: to sell out all
the tickets and to buy 3 jeeps, 100 wardrobes, sewing machines, bicycles and Salesian
books…
The lottery drawing took place on the Christmas eve 1953, with Christmas publications
on which were printed the ticket numbers won, with the confirmation signature of the
government official. Fr. Majcen was responsible for controlling the won tickets of the lucky
people.
- Actually it was impossible to control the income from the tickets selling, because too
many people took part in this business.
1 Now called General Council.
2 “con ramaricco in cuore ed anche non con tanti million di soldi.”
107
|
|
12.6 Page 116 |
▲back to top |
108 Chapter 16: Fr. Majcen Became Rector of The Work in Hà Nội
- In fact the Orphanage collected around 1,000,000 dong from the tickets sale. But the
money we had to spend for the prizes was also considerable.
- There were some troubling cases such as when a lottery winner came from the
countryside taking with him his children. When Fr. Majcen gave him on illustrated catechism
book, he insisted that each of his children should also receive one. Another case was about a
parish priest from a remote region who had bought many tickets out of which there might
probably be won tickets. But his region was occupied by the Vietminh, the parish priest was
forced to leave together with his parishioners without taking with them the tickets. The MEP
Fathers wanted Fr. Majcen to give him the top prize, but Fr. Majcen resolutely refused: “If he
cannot show his ticket, I can’t give him any prize.” Fr. Majcen later thought in himself:
“Shouldn’t I have been more generous with the priests in the distribution of this prize?”3
- In reality, at the moment I only thought of how to have money to feed the children,4
because the subsidies kept reducing while the children’s necessities were increasing, and we
did not know where the money could come from… The bishops and the Provincial could give
a host of blessings but not money… , as Fr. Braga once commented.5
Christmas 1953
Fr. Cuisset received more resources and could give a better Christmas feast though not as
abundant as before. Fr. Vacher only stayed with the Orphanage for a few more days, but Fr.
Faugère still remained with us until the end. He has a greater heart than Fr. Majcen’s.
Then there were football games, sweets, gifts and prizes as many as we could provide.
But the living rule must always be kept: DON’T waste anything, otherwise we could not
benefit from God’s providence.
Bro. Bragion insisted on the necessity to have a new car for transport, purchased from
the Renault… by the money collected from the lottery, from the income of the workshop, …
but that remained merely a dream. Although he could repair the British cars, he was not
familiar with the French cars, the repair of which he had to rely on a past pupil for the electric
parts. There were in the house 7 cars but all were out of use because their users did not know
anything about mechanics; they only made the machines worse!
2. January 1954
Happy New Year and calling for more help
On the occasion of the New Year, Fr. Majcen and Fr. Cuisset made visits to greet a
Happy New Year to the governor and the social department director and to call for their help.
They also met the generals and the ambassadors. In particular Fr. Majcen presented to
General Cogny di Corsica the task of helping the young refugees of war whose number
increased day after day. The general promised to let them use military aircrafts whenever
3 “Per i patri potrei essere piu generoso??” Fr. Majcen examin ed himself and could not help thinking that he
should have been more generous. While observing the norm to only give the prize to the true winner, he still
questioned himself whether he was charitable enough in refusing to give the prize to a missionary wh o had lost
his ticket.
4 “Io pensavo solo come tirare avanti: He was concerned above all with the his children’s necessities, but he still
was scrupulous in his rigidly refusing a priest: He truly had a very delicate conscience!
5 “Vescovi e Ispettore pos sono dare massimente le benedizioni, ma non denari… diceva sua volta D. Braga.”
108
|
|
12.7 Page 117 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 16: Fr. Majcen Became Rector of The Work in Hà Nội 109
they need to go in whatever location in Vietnam and Laos. In fact we later were in need of
this transportation means.
A forester in the South had an interesting conversation with our two Fathers. He said he
was willing to give our children a forest to sell its timber and have money to plant coffee
trees. Of course the Salesians had to teach them some techniques in planting coffee. By this
way the past pupils could have a house for their own family and their property also… It was a
pity these very good proposals had no opportunity to be realized.
They also met aid foundations such as the Caritas, the Orphans’ Aid Organization,6 the
Misereor… These organizations later also came to the South and continued to support
Salesian works.
It was to be noted that every time the Salesians introduced themselves as working for
Mgr. Seitz’s Orphanage, they were always warmly welcome.
An interesting episode in 1954
Such visits occurred every month, or whenever necessary. Once Fr. Majcen went to pay
homage to the Italian ambassador, a devotee of Don Bosco. He boasted to have a library of
‘Liquori’. Hearing the word library, Fr. Majcen immediately thought of books. And about the
word ‘Liquori’, he fancied of the books of St. Alphongse Liguori, and he wondered why this
ambassador could have a library of ascetic books. But when the ambassador opened his
library, Fr. Majcen was astonished to see so many bottles of the best liquors well arranged
under various labels. And he admitted that as a good Salesian of that time, he had never
known the name of any of those liquor labels.
Those visits were quite unique to Fr. Majcen and Fr. Cuisset. But their most important
concern was to find benefactors for the Orphanage, to apply the the saying: when in Rome,
do as the Romans do.7
Returning the two houses of the Vice-roy
In the land of the former Tonkin Viceroy, Mgr. Seitz had been allowed to use the block
for ancestors cult8 for a kindergarten run by the Sisters of the Lovers of the Cross under the
direction of Sr. Lucia, and another block reserved to the housemaids for laundry, sewing, and
store room. With Fr. Cuisset’s consent, the Sisters decided to sell all the linens to clear the
house for its new owners who were the Brothers Hospitallers of St. John of God9 from Bùi
Chu diocese. They would open there a hospital after the Tết. They came from Bùi Chu, the
threshold of the war, and so they hoped to find another safer place in Hà Nội.
Other financial sources
After Mrs. Dubois’s departure, the Salesians asked Sr. Lucia to reduce the number of the
housemaids as well as the number of the orphans and stopped the pigs raising that proved to
be unproductive. The money got from this sale was given to the housemaids with which they
could manage to live and build their family when they would get married with our past
pupils.
6 “Infanzia dei Orphanelli”.
7 “Paese che vai, usanze che trovi.”
8 “Corte reale con Sacrario dei antenati”.
9 “I FatteBene Fratelli”.
|
|
12.8 Page 118 |
▲back to top |
110 Chapter 16: Fr. Majcen Became Rector of The Work in Hà Nội
Considering the possibility to go South
In the increasingly dark situation, people who had money found ways to settle in the
South. The bishops of Phát Diệm, Bùi Chu and Vinh bought the land where they built
seminaries to eventually send their seminarians there. Fr. Majcen and Fr. Cuisset took a
military aircraft to fly to Sài Gòn. There, Fr. Seminel, a MEP Father and old friend of Fr.
Dupont, introduced them to Mrs. Carrée who wanted to sell her plot in Thủ Đức at a funnily
low price. With the Rector Major’s permission, Fr. Majcen on another visit to Sài Gòn went
to see the land and bought it. It became a property of the Salesians. The Rector Major not
only permitted the purchase, he awarded Mrs. Carrée a certificate of THE FIRST SALESIAN
COOPERATOR IN VIETNAM.
Fr. Cuisset again went to Sài Gòn where a parish priest suggested him to buy a land near
Thủ Đức which his father wanted to sell. But he could not visit the land because the military
commander there prevented him to go after three people had just been killed there by VM
snipers from behind the termite mound and bushes10… Unexpectedly one year later, with
general Elly’s money, Fr. Cuisset bought this land. Thus from 1955 we began an educational
establishment for the Theresa pupils and then, in 1956,11 Fr. Majcen was officially appointed
Rector of the Thủ Đức Aspirantate. The plot was a very dangerous place because it was too
close to the Vietminh.
Don Bosco’s gift
As Don Bosco’s feast was approaching, the Salesians wanted to offer him the fruits of
their common efforts. We were convinced that with visits to the Saint Sacrament,
confessions, the rosary and trust in the Virgin Mary who would realize everything in its
proper time, vocations would flourish. A great many children from the Bùi Chu Seminary and
also from the Orphanage came to enroll with Fr. Majcen to be Salesian aspirants.
3. February 1954: The Tết holidays
The Tết was not only a holiday month to rest and relax, but also a month for us to
evaluate our work and to plan our Salesian programs.
When they came to Hà Nội, the Salesians who were used to Don Bosco’s preventive
system, one that was traditional in our Salesian houses, had to adjust to the Boys Town
educative system of Mgr. Seitz, or more precisely of Fr. Flanagan in USA.
Some of us, like Fr. Cuisset, were very interested in this new sytem. Others, like Fr.
Bohnen, Fr. Generoso, Fr. Giacomino were against it. Still others wanted to adapt and
assimilate both systems, like Fr. Majcen and Fr. Mario Acquistapace. Perhaps we Salesians
of that time did not have a clear idea of the Flanagan and Mgr. Seitz’s Boys Town system
which was partly and gradually Salesianized.
For example, we had introduced the daily Rosary, daily Mass, the grouping of the
children into families according to their ages—a more natural living together, and the smaller
10 “Sono scadute 3 personne dal fucile di VM…”
11 Fr. Majcen’s memories were not exact. Between 1955-57, this land in Thủ Đức was still an educational
establishment for the Thérèse Family, that is, the Orphanage, although about 20 children had enrolled to be
aspirants. The Thủ Đức Aspirantate only officially existed from 1958-1976.
110
|
|
12.9 Page 119 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 16: Fr. Majcen Became Rector of The Work in Hà Nội 111
boys were very fond of this renovation. Then there was the model of education by the heart
and by loving kindness according to Don Bosco’s spirit.12
Fr. Flanagan’s system was inspired from the educative task for the miserable and
homeless children, a problem that still seems urgent now, in the year 1986,13 in Vietnam.
They were children without a family, victims of the war or of divorced parents, in a society in
which homeless children were inclined to fall into crimes and to be victims of criminal gangs
or secret societies. Fr. Flanagan wanted to educate their personalities based on their natural
dispositions, but he gave priority to an education of their personal, religious and human
education.
Among the children, at least 10% had been in jail or criminals, and a majority had been
victims of family or social tragedies. Fr. Majcen’s children also were in the same situation.
As a result of the Salesians’ work, most of them became good citizen in society. Fr. Majcen
and the Salesians also experienced such cases in Hà Nội (1952-54) and in Taiwan (1977-79)
with Fr. McCabe in Central and South Tainan. In the beginning of his apostolate, Don Bosco
under the guidance of Fr. Cafasso also worked for the criminal youngsters, and Mgr. Seitz
often said he wanted to save Vietnamese youth who were in danger and to imitate Don Bosco
in making them worthy members for society (using Fr. Flanagan’s system).
This was also an issue to be raised in the situation in Hà Nội in 1954 by Fr. Majcen, Fr.
Mario, Fr. Cuisset and the MEP Fathers, Fr. Faugère in particular. But how to solve it? With
Don Bosco’s heart, we helped to bring them food, work, and a moral, religious and human
education, creating a character for them… In a word, to educate them for a better world based
on catholic principles. This was Fr. Majcen’s ideal, to get out successfully of the difficult
problems of the tragic moment.14
Preparations for war from both sides
The French army set up in Điện Biên Phủ, near Laos territory, a big fortress that seemed
unassailable, with three airports at its three sides and roads to guarantee the supply of food.
On the other hand, the Communists on the highland also prepared their strongholds. Both
sides were expecting a frontal attack. All was quiet except in Hà Nội where the guerrillas
continued their nocturnal attacks.
The departures
Since Fr. Cuisset had taken over the economic administration, on March 2 the good
Father Vacher Vương departed for Kon Tum, following Mgr. Seitz’s call. Fr. Vacher’s
departure left an affectionate attachment in the hearts of his children in the Orphanage and a
deep imprint of his works there: the big workshops, the houses of the families, the infirmary,
the small houses for the priests, and especially the big St. Theresa church, a beautiful and
practical construction as if made by a true architect: all this he left to Fr. Majcen. All the
Orphanage had a Mass to pray for his departure, then a farewell lunch, a speech in French,
and the warmest good-byes of his loving children.
On February 16, Fr. Giacomino Minh also departed: the true reason for his departure was
known by Father Provincial only. He himself told us he went to see his mother but he would
come back. Perhaps there were other reasons too. Fr. Majcen thought he was disappointed
12 See what Fr. Majcen discussed earlier.
13 1986: date of this autobiography.
14 “Ecco il mio ideale, riuscite problem insuccessi nella ora tragica.
|
|
12.10 Page 120 |
▲back to top |
112 Chapter 16: Fr. Majcen Became Rector of The Work in Hà Nội
with the Flanagan educative model at the Christ the King City. Fr. Giacomino was a serious
and traditional Salesian. He wanted a total and immediate change and the Salesian practices
of the devotions, administration and rules of the house. But Fr. Braga, Fr. Bellido and Mgr.
Seitz as well as the MEP Fathers repeatedly reminded us to change bit by bit. Fr. Majcen had
been used to the adjustment since he worked in China, two years under the communist rule,
and he was more flexible. Fr. Giacomino will forever radiate the light of the Salesians in Don
Bosco’s time.
However, it is always true to apply the old saying: It is easier to begin from zero than to
receive an already formed work. Fr. Dupont also experienced a similar difficulty before.
A ceasefire during Tết
As in the previous years, Hồ Chí Minh and Governor Trí proposed a ceasefire during
Tết. On the Vietminh side, their men went home to wish peace and happiness to everybody,
while making propaganda for communism in the name of humanity and peace among the
people.
A Tết Fair
The Governor Tri, a caodaist, suggested Fr. Majcen to open a Tết fair in the area of the
children, that is in the viceroy’s palace. We set up 30 stalls with various games for bigger and
smaller boys, and with chance games. Muslim Algerian soldiers in their red uniforms
entertained the smaller children with horse-riding and vaulting. The bigger boys liked
shooting at the balls placed a little far away and it was not easy to touch. As for Fr. Bohnen,
he took this opportunity to drink French champagne. To tell the truth, with all kinds of
enjoyment and the generosity of Fr. Majcen and Governor Trí, the fair did not bring much
income.
The secretary’s wedding
Fr. Majcen’s good secretary, Teacher Khắc wanted to get married, but his intended
parents-in-law did not want to give him their daughter’s hand because he was an orphan and
also because of unequal alliance. Fr. Majcen had to intervene as a representative of his
deceased parents. He not only got the consent of the girl’s parents but as a parish priest of the
Orphanage, he also went to the Cathedral and obtained from Fr. Trịnh Văn Căn the
permission to administer the marriage ceremony at the Cathedral. A noteworthy fact was that
the parish priest Trịnh Văn Căn would later be appointed an Assistant Bishop then a Cardinal
Archbishop of Hà Nội diocese.
Fear increased
After the Tết, the war grew fiercer. All the world turned their thoughts to Vietnam. The
Superiors in Hong Kong were worried about the fate of Salesian works in Hà Nội. Should our
confreres go South and would they be safe there? The house council in Hà Nội had a meeting
on February 2 to discuss the issue. All of us agreed to make this official promise: we would
not abandon the children, but where should we take them to? And how? And above all how to
save the good boys, especially the increasing number of vocations for the MEP and the
Salesians? We found the first answer was to keep firm the Salesian devotions.
The French soldiers and the people were very afraid, while the Salesians kept going on
with their work… and Fr. Majcen and Fr. Cuisset were looking for solutions.
112
|
|
13 Pages 121-130 |
▲back to top |
|
|
13.1 Page 121 |
▲back to top |
CHAPTER 17: ĐIỆN BIÊN PHỦ BATTLEFIELD
AND THE SURRENDER
1. March 1954
Điện Biên Phủ: the battle of hell
Fighting burst out on March 13 1954 and lasted till May 6 1954, that is for 55 days. To
win the battle, the Vietminh applied the tactics of the Korean war: mass attacks. When the
first attack was crushed down by machine guns, a second follow suit, and then a third… until
the enemies’s weapons became impotent and the attackers sweepingly advanced, backed by
artillery from the nearby mountain side.
News of the fighting reached Hà Nội. Br. Bragion Báu said the children had no more
heart for study, some who still had relatives wanted to go home. Their blood ties being very
strong, they wanted to be close to their relatives in the dangerous or deadly situations. Fr.
Majcen therefore had either to allow this boy to go, to give advice to another, or to permit
those who wanted to go South with their relatives. All the places on the airplane were full of
people with their bags for personal necessities, leaving behind them all other belongings,
even their beloved rice fields. Everyone had his/her own life to be saved.
The Holy Week was celebrated as fervently as usual. We kept waiting for Fr. Mario’s
coming. Nuncio Dooley and Mgr. Khuê spoke of an imminent collapse. The Holy See
ordered all the priests to stay at their posts. But the seminarians from Hà Nội and other
dioceses were rushing to the South.
In a meeting, the Salesians deliberated on what to do. We (Fr. Majcen and Fr. Cuisset)
first went to the South to ask Mgr. Cassaigne of Sài Gòn to let us go to the land in Thủ Đức
that we had bought from Mrs. Carrée. Although the bishop appeared to be very favorable to
our Salesian works, he openly refused to receive us because, as he said, “we already have too
many orphans and refugees, so we can’t give you permission.” Fr. Majcen and Fr. Cuisset
returned to Hà Nội, very sad.
Then we asked Mgr. Seitz to receive some of our pupils who showed signs of a religious
vocation, either diocesan or Salesian. He accepted notwithstanding the objections from some
of his priests. They thought the orphans could not become priests. But Mgr. Seitz never found
any difficulty in receiving his orphans. Because there were still some rooms in the Seminary,
Fr. Faugère brought to us a positive answer. We made a scrutiny to assess the eligibility of
the candidate for religious life.
In the meantime we also asked the Prince Regent of King Bảo Đại to permit the
seminarian Lê Hướng1 to go to Hong Kong to make his Salesian novitiate there, and then to
be sent to the Philippines to assist the novices there.
Then we deliberated on who would remain with the children. It was wonderful that all
agreed to remain with the boys in the Vietminh regime. As for Fr. Majcen, because he used to
be too nervous when the communists occupied China, all the confreres suggested he had
better go to Hong Kong before the communists would come. Fr. Bogo and Fr. Bohnen said to
cancel the discontented boys, then tried to take the others to the South. But how and where to
go? All were very worried.
1 Isidore Lê Hướng was the first Vietnamese Salesian.
113
|
|
13.2 Page 122 |
▲back to top |
114 Chapter 17: Điện Biên Phủ Battlefield and the Surrender
In the meanwhile we got news from Sài Gòn that our land in Thủ Đức had become
military camps for the French and national army. We therefore decided:
1) The land bought from Mrs. Carrée was declared a military zone.2
2) The land that later became our Salesian aspirantate were currently full of Vietcong.
3) Other places had been illegally occupied by the refugees.
We did not know what to do, except praying to Mary Help of Christians to help us find a
solution.
2. April 1954
Our priority was the vocations
Mgr. Seitz once more promised to support the vocations also financially. Fr. Majcen sent
a list of the eligible aspirants to Ban Mê Thuột, then to Kon Tum. Among these boys we
chose John Ty, Marc Huỳnh, Joseph Mỹ, Tôn, Khang, Vấn, and Sử.
Among the candidates for the role of training the pupils, we sent Isidore Lê Hướng to
Hong Kong, then to the Philippines, and Joseph Hiên to Hong Kong then to Italy.
We should also mention Joseph Tỵ, a pupil from Ba Vì, and Joseph Hoan, a family head
of the Orphanage, who entered the novitiate in Hong Kong together with Joseph Hiên and
later became a Salesian lay brother and a provincial councilor for several year in Vietnam.
Fr. Majcen took a first group to Ban Mê Thuột by a military aircraft. The plane took off
from Hà Nội, flew by the route Đà Nẵng then across the mountainous region to Ban Mê
Thuột, near the borders of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. Looking down from the plane, Fr.
Majcen saw a Banar ethnic on his bike, wearing a shirt and a loin-cloth. We eventually
managed to come to the bishop’s office and see Mgr. Seitz. He was very concerned about the
situation in the North. We also met the French priest who was against the admision of the
orphans to be aspirants. He objected this as against the rules. But Mgr. Seitz insisted to admit
them against the current rules. Then Fr. Majcen flew back to Hà Nội.
The monsoon
By the end of April, the monsoon brought with it heavy rains preventing the fighters to
back Điện Biên Phủ. The Vietminh took this advantage to occupy the military airports around
the base and their artillery kept raiding the French posts. From Paris, French government
ordered the promotion of general rank to the commander of Điện Biên Phủ base and
champagnes were dropped by parachute to celebrate this promotion. Unluckily the wind
threw all to the enemy’s front.
3. May 1954
The surrender
Without reinforcement and being flooded by the rains, the French could in no way to
resist. White flag was hoisted and on May 6 1954 they surrendered.
2 In 1955 we sold it to the Jesuits for their Novitiate.
114
|
|
13.3 Page 123 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 17: Điện Biên Phủ Battlefield and the Surrender 115
Still another battle
May 6 1954 marked the victory of the Vietminh, but the 10 June 1954 was a tragedy at
the Phát Diệm seminary. The Catholic youngsters dressed barriers at the seminary to fight
against some hundreds of Vietminh soldiers, a risky resistance similar to what Franco had
done in Spain. It was a bloody battle and the Catholic young elites fell before the attack that
was very well prepared by the Vietminh. The Seminary became a burial site amid the ruins. It
was a Requiem day.
These bad news however did not discouraged Hà Nội. They kept saying that to lose a
battle does not means to lose the war. But the French government were secretly negotiating
with the Vietminh to divide Vietnam.
In the Orphanage, life was still rather quiet and calm in spite of some moral agitation.
But among the people, the waves of refugees going to the South was increasing. Among
these, some Catholic villages evacuated collectively together with their parish priests.
4. The last solemn devotional demonstration to the Virgin Mary
Fr. Majcen still remembered very well the most solemn demonstration of love to the
Virgin Mary in this month of May, with a numerous gathering. The girls were dressed in
white clothes, the women in their traditional brown clothes, while our children dressed in the
choir uniform beside the principal Đô and the brass band. The people sang and prayed for
peace, true peace as a gift from God through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, Queen of
Peace. They prayed as if they wanted to snatched the graces from God for their beloved
country Vietnam: O Mary, Mother of Vietnam, Mother of our people!
This was the biggest demonstration of our devotion to Mary that was organized for the
last time.
|
|
13.4 Page 124 |
▲back to top |
CHAPTER 18: THE LAST DAYS OF THE ORPHANAGE IN NORTH
VIETNAM (15/6/1954 – 21/6/1954)
1. June 1954: The last days of the school year 1953-54 in the North
In spite of the tragic situation, the classes in the Orphanage kept going on as usual until
June 15 when the school year ended. The examinations were done normally and diplomas
were awarded with the stamp of the school department. Although poor and orphans, the
students were clever and diligent. Nevertheless Fr. Majcen also met with difficulties: the
principal and the staff demanded a salary rise while Fr. Majcen had no money; the Viceroy’s
relatives requested us to return the two blocks currently used for the school, so that the 450
children did not have a place to go. The houses that were left were deteriorated and needed
repairing. In addition, like in China, they kept instilling xenophobic feelings in the mind of
the pupils! It seemed that a dark cloud was falling on the coming school year.
Nevertheless our pupils’ spirit and piety were still good. The students who followed the
French program were studying at the Lasalle school, and under the marvelous instruction of
the Lasalle Brothers, they would become the elite intellectuals, both catholic and non-
catholic.
Fr. Majcen on his part was studying Vietnamese based on the Chinese characters, but his
Vietnamese was not good enough for him to run a school yet, to speak and understand
everything well. He could not speak to the teachers or bigger pupils as easily as he had
previously done in Kunming. Moreover, the French scholastic system was different from the
Chinese. Fortunately his pupils were very diligent, although they were poor and orphans. One
day, the children heard the aircraft’s roaring over their head: the aircraft hovered over the
ground, passed across the Orphanage then crashed on a canal nearby. The children had hardly
heard the pilot cried “Mother! Mother!” before he was killed. It was indeed a miracle: If the
aircraft had crashed on the Orphanage, many children would have been killed!
Arrangements for the group of 200 children during holidays
How to prevent the children from idleness during their holidays? The best solution was
to move about 200 of them into a vacant school near Hà Nội which was lent us by the
principal with the consent of the mayor. There, Fr. Bohnen helped the children to have a
wonderful enjoyment with song, sports and also some study review. This location was not
very safe because it was very close to the headquarter of the communists, but only later was
this known to us. Fr. Majcen once went to see them and were happily greeted by the boys
with a spontaneous performance and a barbecue.
The move of a second group of the aspirants to be sent to Ban Mê Thuột
With his priority concern for the vocations, Fr. Majcen made a list of the best boys who
aspired to the priesthood and who would be moved to Ban Mê Thuột. Fr. Cuisset obtained
from a good colonel a flight on a two-engine aircraft to carry the boys together with Fr.
Majcen to Hải Phòng. All were seated on two benches with safety belts. But when the craft
reached the sea, one of the two engines stopped working and the craft lost the altitude. Fr.
Majcen did not frighten the boys but asked them to pray, and when the craft could resume its
flight to reach the land, Fr. Majcen now feared he would be fallen in the jungle and be victim
to the tigers or even the communists. Eventually the craft arrived in Hải Phòng, landed safely
although fire trucks with ejectors were also ready for any emergency. The pilot then said to
116
|
|
13.5 Page 125 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 18: Last Days of the Orphanage in North Vietnam (15/6/1954 – 21/6/1954) 117
Fr. Majcen: “Thanks for your rosaries to have helped us landed safely with the last fuel
drop.” The children had to wait for another plane from Hà Nội to continue their journey.
After the first escape, now the children were onboard with their rosaries in hand. Finally we
arrived in Ban Mê Thuột, very hungry. Knowing all that had happened with the boys, Mgr.
Seitz comforted them by a sumptuous lunch.
We soon prepared for the following departures on July 5 and July 22.
“Go away, you scoundrels,” said Fr. Generoso whenever he thought of the bad boys. Fr.
Cuisset and Fr. Faugère looked for the boys’ workplace at the Marine workshops where they
could learn and become mechanic workers. Mr. Renault also received more of our boys in his
workshops.
A period of confusion
No one got news with certainty from anywhere, and the news were often contradictory.
This made all of us confused. When people heard that Vietnam would be divided, the number
of refugees to the South increased. Even the priests who so far had helped the Orphanage also
withdrew and the seminarians who had helped as assistants were also called back. The Sisters
Lovers of the Cross also left the kindergarten by their Superiors’ order, leaving the care of the
children to some good volunteered girls of the place.
On July 9, Bro. Bragion Báu left for Hong Kong, taking along with him the Chronicle of
Hà Nội House and other important documents. In Hong Kong, he reported to the Provincial
on the situation.
2. A thunderbolt in the blue sky
From Hong Kong the Provincial sent a telegram with an order to give the children back
to the Bishop and all the Salesians had to return to Hong Kong.
It was a thunderbolt over our head. What to do now? We had promised to stay with the
children to the last moment and we had officially promised it before the Bishop, the Nuncio
and the government. Not knowing what to do, Fr. Majcen went to consult the Bishop of Hà
Nội. The Bishop grew pale saying almost in tears: “What shall I do? I no longer have my best
people, they all have left.” He immediately summoned Fr. Mai, his secretary, and also Fr.
Trịnh Văn Căn, the Cathedral’s parish priest, for consultation. At last he said: “Please wait
for some time, I’ll give you an answer.” A few days later, Fr. Majcen was invited to a lunch
at the Nuncio Dooley’s office. Well informed of the matter, the Nuncio praised Fr. Majcen
for his obedience to his Superior, but added that in this case the Holy Father was the supreme
authority and so, in the name of the Holy Father, he ordered him not to leave for Hong Kong
before he had made arrangements for the children. When he knew that Fr. Majcen could not
have a place to take the children to, he gave Fr. Majcen recommendation letters to present to
Bishop Urutia in Huế and Bishop Piquet in Nha Trang for their support, then he took leave of
them saying: “Please go and try.” Fr. Majcen called in the House Council and immediately
sent a letter to the Provincial to report the matters, and told Fr. Generoso to guide the bigger
boys to dismount the big workshop framework and to transport the materials by truck to Hải
Phòng where they would be kept at the house of the St. Paul Sisters before transporting them
by ship to the South, but when and how it was still difficult to predict. Fr. Majcen and Fr.
Faugère intended to go to Sài Gòn to try to negotiate with Mgr. Cassaigne for a last time, or
to go to Mgr. Thục in Vĩnh Long, but there was no room for them on the airplane. Mgr.
Piquet said he was sorry for not being able to comply: all his places had been full of refugees.
He suggested him to go to Huế, but the bishop here was in the same situation as Mgr. Piquet
|
|
13.6 Page 126 |
▲back to top |
118 Chapter 18: Last Days of the Orphanage in North Vietnam (15/6/1954 – 21/6/1954)
was. At dinner, he mentioned his case to a priest who was about to go to Ban Mê Thuột, and
he was saved. Exactly on the next day a telegram arrived: Majcen to BMT at once. They
could easily have a place on the airplane because it was empty, but the plane had no seats at
all. So they had to sit on the packages that kept sliding and moving, and they could only keep
their balance with much difficulty. Upon their arrival, they at once presented their problem to
Mgr. Seitz. The bishop took them on his jeep and after an hour drive they came to a site in the
forest where there was a big store house used for drying coffee beans and a beautiful villa
where King Bảo Đại stayed in his hunting. The villa could be used by the Fathere, and the big
house could be accommodated for the children dormitory. Not an optimal solution, but at
least it helped to solve the minimum necessity: having a shelter. Mgr. Seitz could write to
King Bảo Đại—who was currently in Paris—for permission, and Fr. Majcen could consult
his council and asked for the Provincial permission. The house council gave their consent and
the Provincial in Hong Kong answered that he permitted, but added that once he had finished
all arrangements, Fr. Majcen should come to Hong Kong to receive a new obedience. Fr.
Cuisset would be an interim Superior in Vietnam.
In the meanwhile Fr. Majcen got another airplane that took him to Sài Gòn to ask Prime
Minister Ngô Đình Diệm for rice and other foods for his orphan refugees.
3. Vietnam was divided – The Exodus
On July 20 1954, the Geneva Agreement was signed, Vietnam was to be temporarily
divided along the 17th parallel. Within 300 days, Vietnamese from the North could settle in
the South and those from the South could settle in the North. When the people knew this, a
tremendous emigration took place: French and American ships were available to take all
Vietnamese wanting to go south. The Navy provided each emigrant with food and an amount
of money. A million people tried find places on the ships or airplanes. They were promised to
receive in the South 12 dong per day for each person to buy food and they were also told that
rice in the Mekong delta would be plentiful. In an area near Phát Diệm, thousands of people
were on an islet waiting for some ships to take them, but there was none. Then a huge tide
swept in and all were swept away. Hà Nội and Hải Phòng were in complete disorder. The
communists had not expected such an emigration! At first they tried to stop it by propaganda
and promises, but seeing all that was useless, they began using violence in open contradiction
to the Agreement. There were fighting, killing, arrests and imprisonments. It was estimated
that approximately one million had successfully escaped. If there hadn’t been such violent
preventions, the number would have been two million or more.
The last days in Hà Nội
Those were days full of problems and departures. Fr. Majcen tried to be sure that rice
and other supports could come to the Orphanage from the Social Department. But this
replied: “When you arrive in the South, we’ll supply rice and other necessities, but for the
moment with such disorder here, we cannot accommodate.” He was also very concerned
about the small children in the kindergarten. He arranged with Fr. Cartier, a friend of Fr.
Mario Acquistapace, to have the St. Paul Sisters in Sài Gòn receive them, and we would
receive their bigger children. To prepare a living in Ban Mê Thuột, Fr. Majcen sent his
carpentry students to work there. Finally he went to see Mgr. Khuê and reported to him what
he had done and the bishop was very pleased. Then Fr. Majcen asked for the bishop’ blessing
which the bishop did while also asking Fr. Majcen to reciprocate. Moved to tears, the bishop
118
|
|
13.7 Page 127 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 18: Last Days of the Orphanage in North Vietnam (15/6/1954 – 21/6/1954) 119
said: “You have to go, and I to remain here waiting for martyrdom.” It turned out that the
bishop was not killed, but his very life under the communist regime was a bloodless
martyrdom. He stayed in his post, sustaining his allegiance to the Holy Father who later
awarded him with a cardinal title. Then Fr. Majcen went to say goodbye to the Nuncio and
the Superior of the MEP. He affectionately gave the blessing of Mary Help of Christians to
his confreres and all his children. Then in tears and with a broken heart he parted by an Air
France airline to Hong Kong, closing a difficult mission of obedience and of service to the
poor and abandoned children. He prayed the Virgin Mary to be forever their Mother and
Helper.
Going in South Vietnam
Before continuing with his 20 year life and service in Vietnam after 1956 when he
returned to Vietnam, Fr. Majcen wanted to briefly recall what the Salesians who
remained in Vietnam were doing during the time he was rector of Tang King Po School
in Shau Ki Wan, Hong Kong.
After Fr. Majcen left Hà Nội, the Salesians decided to move to Ban Mê Thuột. Seeing
the communist violent hindrance to the emigration to the South, Fr. Cuisset tried to hurry up
with the evacuation. Thus on August 24, the Orphanage’s children gathered in lines, headed
by a Salesian and backed also by a Salesian, and went to the airport. Each boy took with
himself a small bag with some books and clothes, the bigger boys leading the smaller ones.
They also brought along a Tabernacle and a small bell of their church. At the airport 25
airplanes of the Air Force were ready to take 450 children to Ban Mê Thuột. The boys
hurriedly climbed the planes because they heard shooting near the airport.
The goods carried by ship also disembarked in Nha Trang to be transported to Ban Mê
Thuột, but some were damaged while some precious goods were stolen.
Fr. Faugère organized an orphanage for the bigger boys, and sent the mechanics students
to learn with the Navy experts. There was good spirit among the boys. The smaller children
of the former Orphanage were taken care of by the St. Paul Sisters, while we received some
bigger boys from the Sisters.
In the rubber plantation, Fr. Bohnen organized classes and work, but the boys became
discontented because they found it a waste of time: There was a lack of teachers, no desk, no
chairs and no books. They could not learn anything.
The transport of rice by trucks was difficult because of the long passage of 300 to 400
km.
There was a disagreement between Fr. Bogo and Fr. Bohnen, due to Fr. Bohnen’s
frequent and unreasonable slapping on the boys’ face. This obliged the Provincial to send Fr.
Bohnen to Haiti, but the Provincial’s order was not obeyed and we lost a talented confrere.
In Thủ Dức, Fr. Cuisset began to buy the plot of land in Thủ Đức we spoke of earlier. As
regard Mrs. Carrée’s plot, it was used as a shooting site for the training of the young
Vietnamese soldiers. In addition, Fr. Cuisset also bought the abandoned railways station in
Gò Vấp and made it a school for the artisans, while the other students studied in Thủ Đức.
In the meanwhile, at the Tang King Po School in Hong Kong, Fr. Majcen was organizing
the aspirantate for the Vietnamese boys.
|
|
13.8 Page 128 |
▲back to top |
120 Chapter 18: Last Days of the Orphanage in North Vietnam (15/6/1954 – 21/6/1954)
Vietnam was partitioned. President Hồ ruled in the North while in the South King Bảo
Đại ruled with Ngô Đình Diệm as Prime Minister.
Then Mgr. Cassaigne resigned and Mgr. Simon Hoà Hiền replaced him as Bishop of Sài
Gòn.
In 1956 Fr. Majcen once again was appointed rector of the houses in Sài Gòn and
Superior of the Vietnam Salesian Delegation. The political conditions remained unstable
while religious parties rose against the government of PM Ngô Đình Diệm in Sài Gòn.
Such was the way of God and of Mary Help of Christians, the architect of our Salesian
Congregation who always supported Don Bosco and his children.
120
|
|
13.9 Page 129 |
▲back to top |
CHAPTER 19: LEAVING VIETNAM, FR. MAJCEN BECAME
RECTOR OF TANG KING PO SCHOOL (6/1954 - 7/1956)
1. Fr. Majcen’s arrival in Hong Kong: worries and misses
After two hour flight, Fr. Majcen arrived at the Hong Kong airport. Some policemen who
were Salesian past pupils hastened the procedures for Fr. Massimino and several Salesians to
welcome him. There were also some of his past pupils from the former Don Bosco school in
Kunming. At that moment he did not know what his obedience would be. But on returning
home, (the Provincial being absent), Fr. Massimino put him on a seat of honor and greeted
him as the new rector of Tang King Po School. Personally he only wanted a quiet place to
live and hear confession as a few years ago in Macao. Later, he admitted to have been falling
from heaven. The thought about his new responsibility and his compassion for the children he
had left in Hà Nội made him sleepless.
2. The Tang King Po School in Kowloon
All the confreres in the Salesian China Province knew that this School was named after
the well-known philanthropist, Mr. Tang King Po. He wanted to offer to the poor youth here
a technical school like the Aberdeen School. He entrusted to the Salesians one million Hong
Kong dollars (a big amount) to build the school. Fr. Goffredo Roozen had the construction
completed in two years, then he borrowed more money to add a wing for the aspirantate and
for the confreres’ dwelling. The inaugural ceremony was held on July 27 1953, though the
school year had already started in February. God recompensed Mr. Tang King Po with the
grace of faith.
On July 19 1953 Mr. Tang King Po was baptized and christened Peter. The Pope
awarded him the Medal of Knight Commander of the Order of Sts. Gregory and Sylvester.
The School is multidisciplinary, including a class in Chinese language, and other classes
for trade training: sewing, shoemaking, printing. At the shoemaking shop a group of very
good pupils worked under the guidance of Bro. Francesia. He helped them greatly: having a
lot of work for them. The school also had an English teaching section which was later
abolished as not conformable to the benefactor’s purpose to reserve this school for poor
children. The school also had an aspirantate under Fr. Geder’s direction, and some lay
brothers who were following special training courses called the ‘magisterium’. The Salesian
confreres were numerous, but still insufficient to satisfy the needs of the tasks, although there
were also many outside teachers. The workshops were installed on the ground floor; the first
floor included classrooms for students and aspirants, and a chapel, offices of the prefect of
studies and his secretaries, and teachers’ rooms. On the upper floor were the kitchen, the
confreres’ refectory, the library and the confreres’ rooms.
By the Provincial’s order, the prefect of studies, Fr. Randi, who was very sensitive in
scholastic matters, all at once managed the necessary procedures at the Educational
Department for a recognition of Fr. Majcen as “director and principal” of the school. An
agent was sent by the Educational Department’s office to interview Fr. Majcen who told him
about his previous teaching of technical subjects in Ljubliana, then about his being a director
of a vocational school in Kunming and then a rector of the Boys Town in Hà Nội. The
interview was satisfactory and a few days later he got permission from the government to
assume these positions.
121
|
|
13.10 Page 130 |
▲back to top |
122 Chapter 19: Fr. Majcen Became Rector of Tang King Po School (6/1954 - 7/1956)
Fr. Randi was Fr. Majcen’s great helper because Fr. Majcen was not well-experienced
enough in Hong Kong scholastic system. Here the schools were organized differently from
the systems in Kunming, Macao and Hà Nội. Fr. Geder, for his part, also a Slovenian, who
had once been a missionary in Shiuchow and a vicar general in the time of the sede vacante
after the death of Mgr. Canazei and before the appointment of Mgr. Arduino, now ran very
well the aspirantate department in TKP School. Besides, he was also very capable to assume
other tasks as needed. He had very good spirit and that year Fr. Majcen chose him as his
confessor. As for Fr. Lomazzi, beside his financial specialization, he was also a wonderful
artist who helped the rector a great deal in the decorations and performances in the house. Fr.
Cerrato was economer. He was very good at accounting and knew how to keep all the school
accounting very orderly.
Financial problems
Fr. Majcen used to encounter financial problems in Kunming, Hà Nội and TKP School.
The annual income of the school was approximately 9000 dollars but it had to contribute
3000 dollars to the Provincial. The remaining funds had to be paid for the debts and teachers’
salaries. And there remained very little for other expenses in the administration and for the
living of the confreres, aspirants and poor pupils. Although the workshops, the printing and
shoemaking in particular, could help a lot, but other financial sources were badly needed.
Spiritual matters
This was the area Fr. Majcen was most concerned, and to do this, he was greatly helped
by Fr. Mario Calvi, who had evangelized for 20 years in the Apostolic Vicariate which later
became the Shiuchow diocese. Fr. Majcen and Fr. Mario Calvi were of one heart and one
mind: Fr. Calvi taught catechism to the pupils and he also taught the young confreres who
were in their specialization training. He animated the practices of piety and through the
religious associations he prepared young apostles for school and for life. Baptisms and
vocations flourished during those years. Fr. Orlando, a MEP priest and parish priest of St.
Theresa parish, whose ecclesiastical authority the school then was subject to, was very
content with this spirit. He always admired and encouraged the school.
Goodmorning talks
As many of the pupils were non-Christians, the school had a regular morning talk before
the classes began, instead of our traditional goodnight talks. Fr. Majcen, Fr. Randi and Fr.
Calvi took turn to give to the young men good thoughts that were suitable both to the pupils
and to the teachers, drawing on the teachings of the Rector Major, Fr. Renato Ziggiotti.
Dialogues
Dialogue was a concept that was popularized in the post-Vatican period, but with Don
Bosco and Fr. Majcen at TKP School, this was not a foreign matter. Initiatives for the
promotion of the school were discussed with all the confreres in all their fraternal charity and
based on these discussions, Fr. Majcen as rector with acknowledged authority, took the
necessary decisions.
122
|
|
14 Pages 131-140 |
▲back to top |
|
|
14.1 Page 131 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 19: Fr. Majcen Became Rector of Tang King Po School (6/1954 - 7/1956) 123
Charitable works
As said earlier, although the school was poor, it kept doing charitable works: the school
taxes prescribed by the government for the high schools was considerably modified for our
school, but in the school, school fees were reduced for not a few pupils: some to a third,
others a half, others even was completely exempted. A condition for receiving these
reductions or exemptions was good behavior and diligence. In those years, the number of
refugees in Hong Kong was quite great. The Caritas organization offered aids by sharing
food, rice, oil, etc… Fr. Duchesne who was responsible for the Caritas shared a portion of
God’s gift to the school with which the school shared to the poor pupils and their families. A
great number of shoemaking pupils and some past pupils also benefited of a free meal at the
school.
The printing shop
The printing shop was the most important part of the school because it brought to the
school a fairly good income. But it was also a cause of so much trouble to Fr. Majcen. A
missionary had made a deal with the shop head by which waste paper was to be used to print
catechism texts at a low price to distribute to the poor catechumens and the baptized. And the
printing shop head agreed. This publication was then reproached by the bishopric office for
printing catechetical matters without permission. Fr. Majcen explained that the catechism had
already got permission, and this was only a reprint; besides, he was not notified by the head
of the printing. But the Ordinary still insisted that Fr. Majcen was responsible for this:
another instance of which Fr. Majcen became a victim!
The Oratory
Fr. Calvi opened an Oratory with the cooperation of the confreres in the magisterium
period, because they knew how to attract the young by their initiatives. There was plenty of
games for the boys in the Oratory, but above all there were catechism classes organized
according to the age and educational levels of the boys. Because all the pupils were poor,
they often granted some small rewards or food. The magisterium confreres also visited the
families and these visits also contributed much to their formation.
The closing of the English section
In the beginning, Fr. Roozen, the first rector of the school, opened an English section
where the learners paid a fairly high school fee by which the poor financial state of our
school was improved. But these pupils looked like “gentlemen”, resulting in some kind of
jealousy. Still, there were some who profited of this issue to force the class to be closed with
a pretext of being against the will of the school founder. Consequently Fr. Majcen was
ordered to close the section. Many confreres were astonished, leading to a dissatisfaction
among the confreres. Fr. Majcen had to report this to the Superiors but he was misunderstood
and was rebuked for disobedience. For Fr. Majcen, this was a bitter pill he had to swallow.
The sewing shop
The lay brother Mirzel was running the sewing shop, but when he was sent to the
Philippines, it was entrusted to a Chinese brother. He was very competent and the shop
quickly developed. Unfortunately, some years later, when Fr. Majcen was no longer rector,
he had a crisis and left the congregation, and all the confreres were very sorry for him.
|
|
14.2 Page 132 |
▲back to top |
124 Chapter 19: Fr. Majcen Became Rector of Tang King Po School (6/1954 - 7/1956)
The aspirantate
The aspirants formed a separate department under the direction of Fr. Geder, a very
experienced missionary in whom Fr. Majcen could put all his trust. Of the aspirants of that
time were Fr. Norberto Che, a future Provincial and Fr. Francis Che, a future rector of the
formation house. Of the assistants of the aspirants were Fr. Joseph Zen who later became a
Provincial, and Fr. Peter Tsang who later was rector in Tainan for many years. Some months
later, a few aspirants came from Vietnam, and with the assistance of a Cantonese teacher, Fr.
Majcen could help them learn Cantonese which Fr. Majcen himself was not very good at… In
later years, a number of Vietnamese confreres (cleric and lay) also came to Hong Kong for
their philosophical formation or for their magisterium, and this had lasted until Vietnam
could have its own formation house.
The Past pupils in the shoemaking shop
As said above, the shoemaking shop provided jobs for a great number of the past pupils.
That was Bro. Francesia’s initiative. He was very kind, and wanted to help many shoemaking
past pupils to have jobs because outside there were markets selling ready-made shoes so that
the past pupils were unemployed. Since he got orders for shoes making and repairing for the
policemen and soldiers, Bro. Francesia opened a shop for the past pupils and this shop had
been providing a means of living for them for many years.
A Catechetical Center
After the aspirants moved to Shaukiwan, a vacant place was left. Fr. Coerenza took this
for a catechetical center. He had an independent administration and contributed to the school
a good financial income.
The school’s chapel
The school’s chapel was the Eucharistical center of the house. It was here that many
Masses were celebrated for the faithful as well as for the newly baptized. Many young and
adult Christian made visits to the Blessed Sacrament, made confession and received
communion. It was also here that Frs. Geder and Calvi organized the Salesian Cooperators
Association. A few years later, the chapel was enlarged and officially became a public church
for the faithful.
3. The visits
Together with Fr. Geder, his compatriot and friend, Fr. Majcen occasionally made visits
to some places. They visited the Sisters of the Annunciation Congregation. These Sisters had
been expelled from Shiuchow and with Fr. Cucchiara’s help, they had found a place to settle
in Hong Kong. The two Fathers also visited a merchant ship of the Yugoslavians and were
warmly welcome by the captain. It was the first time he had contact with a fellow
countryman abroad since 1935. They also went to the Dominican monastery at Rosary Hill
where there were Vietnamese seminarians, among whom there was a newly ordained priest
who later asked to join the Salesian Congregation: Fr. Hoàng Phú Bảo.
124
|
|
14.3 Page 133 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 19: Fr. Majcen Became Rector of Tang King Po School (6/1954 - 7/1956) 125
The Rector Major’s visit
Fr. Ziggiotti made a visit to the school in 1955. On this occasion the school offered him a
relief picture entitled “A comedy about Gregory the Great”. In his canonical visit, the Rector
Major asked to have his trousers repaired. The shop head wanted to make new trousers for
him but he resolutely refused. The confreres also suggested him to make an excursion to
Hong Kong Peak to enjoy the scenery, but he refused, saying he did not come as a tourist but
to see his confreres and so he did not want to waste his time as well as the confreres’ time.
When seeing that the school was too numerous, he observed that the rector alone could not
well run such a complex school with 400 boarders. He said that this could only be a
temporary need for a specific circumstance. He therefore recommended to drop those shops
with exclusively profit purpose like the shoemaking and sewing shops. In the meantime he
made an arrangement for the aspirantate to officially move to Shau Ki Wan. This
arrangement had been stimulated by some confreres who were envious with Fr. Geder. This
was a bitter pill for Fr. Geder who realized that this would make a big problem for the
province, because Shau Ki Wan house would no longer have room for the clerics who would
be sent abroad for their theological studies, while a new house of studies should be built in
Cheung Chau for the philosophers.
4. Tang King Po School
Mr. Tang King Po proposed to give his own house to the Salesians after his death to
build a school. Fr. Majcen notified this to the Provincial and then he and Fr. Suppo, the
provincial economer, drafted a will to give the house to the Salesians for the building of a
school. It is now the Tang King Po High School at Kennedy street in Hong Kong.
In his last years, Mr. Tang King Po could no longer see Fr. Majcen: Because all the
family members of Mr. Tang were non Christians, they feared that Fr. Majcen would come to
ask him for money and so they did not want Fr. Majcen to see him. However, concerned for
his soul, Fr. Majcen asked a diocesan priest to come and give him the last sacraments. After
his death, a solemn funeral was made with the attendance of the school community. Later on,
when his tomb was obliged to be moved, the Salesians asked his relatives to allow his corpse
to be transferred to the Salesian cemetery. This Salesian kindness greatly pleased Mr. Tang’s
family.
Illnesses and the shark
The heat and humidity of Hong Kong caused furuncles which made Fr. Majcen greatly
suffered. He had to stay in hospital until he recovered. The doctor recommended him to
frequently swim in the sea. During this period, he usually went to swim with a confrere at a
quiet beach. He stayed quite long in the water. Once he stayed until the tide rose. As soon as
he came up to the shore, he saw a shark appear on the same place where he had just left. He
at once thanked God because had he stayed there longer, he would have lost a leg!
5. A new obedience letter
A letter of obedience was normally given during a retreat. At the conclusion of the
retreat that year, July 15 1956, Fr. Mario Acquistapace, the Provincial, gave Fr. Majcen a
new obedience: Going back to Vietnam, and this time in Sài Gòn, to be rector and provincial
delegate for the Salesian works in Vietnam which later would see new developments. Fr.
Majcen immediately apply for a passport and this time as a Vatican citizen. He bade farewell
to Mgr. Bianchi, then handed over to Fr. Suppo, his successor, all the documents relating to
|
|
14.4 Page 134 |
▲back to top |
126 Chapter 19: Fr. Majcen Became Rector of Tang King Po School (6/1954 - 7/1956)
Tang King Po School, as Fr. Suppo requested. After bidding farewell to the confreres, he left
for Vietnam where he would stay for 20 more years.
126
|
|
14.5 Page 135 |
▲back to top |
CHAPTER 20: WHAT WAS GOING ON IN VIETNAM WHILE FR.
MAJCEN WAS AWAY (1956-57)
Half a year in Ban Mê Thuột
Before speaking of Fr. Majcen’s 20 years in Vietnam, it is worth recalling the events
which the Salesians who remained in Vietnam were experiencing while he was away.
More than 200 orphans were transported to Ban Mê Thuột where they were greeted by
Mgr. Seitz, the assistants and the bigger boys who had come there before. They were led to
the Emperor’s palace and the coffee beans storehouses where they would live. The plot was
in the forest with a number of ethnic tribes who lived there with monkeys and elephants. The
site was about 1,400 meters above sea level, very fit for summer camps but with a shortage of
food and living conditions. To find enough food for the children, Fr. Cuisset with his jeep had
to go to and fro on a 400 km road from Sài Gòn to Ban Mê Thuột and vice versa, through
innumerable difficulties and dangers.
The children’s daily diet was usually rice and dried fish, leading to under nutrition and
cases of beriberi. They dug a well to have drinking water, and every morning the children
went to the stream to have a bath, after having driven the monkeys away. Some elephants
occasionally came near the streams.
Fr. Bohnen Bản made some rudimentary classrooms for lack of materials like books,
desks or benches… The bigger boys ran the classes as assistants. The student workers had no
jobs. The machines that transported from Hà Nội had arrived but needed to be reassembled.
In addition, many accessories had been lost on the way. And especially there were no
teachers at all.
Although everybody tried to keep the morale on a high level, especially with regard to
the practices of piety, all were aware that this situation would not last longer. Because it was
in the month of the Rosary, the reciting of the rosary was done very fervently. And Fr. Mario
Acquistapace came to celebrate a Mass solemnly. On this occasion he and the house council
made the following decisions: a) To send the smaller orphans to the nuns as soon as possible
(and this was done as we have said earlier). b) To arrange for the bigger boys of 17 and above
to have a job. This could be done through Mgr. Seitz’s prestige. c) To send the aspirants to
Kowloon to live with Fr. Majcen. d) To send the boys, at least part of them, as soon as
possible to Sài Gòn or some other place. This became more urgent after a telegram from
Emperor Bảo Đại in Paris said he wanted to take back the plot that Mgr. Seitz had borrowed,
because the Emperor wanted to sell it for fear that it could be confiscated. And this fear has
become true. Life became more and more difficult and was complicated by the dissension
between Fr. Generoso and Fr. Bohnen, so that Fr. Cuisset suggested to separate the two
confreres. He wrote a letter to the Provincial. Fr. Mario Acquistapace summoned Fr. Bohnen
and sent him to Haiti. That year the Orphanage celebrated Christmas in Ban Mê Thuột then
moved to Sài Gòn.
In Sài Gòn
In 1954, Mgr. Cassaigne refused to receive the Salesians in his diocese. But now he was
retiring in Di Linh and was chaplain to a leprosarium, living among the lepers and praying for
the Church’s communities that were seriously attacked. His successor in Sài Gòn was Mgr.
Simon Hoà Hiền, who was always sympathetic with the Salesians.
127
|
|
14.6 Page 136 |
▲back to top |
128 Chapter 20: What Was Going on in Vietnam while Fr. Majcen Was Away (1956-57)
After leaving 90 orphans in BMT to the care of Fr. Faugère Cao with the financial
support of Mgr. Seitz, the Salesians brought 260 other boys to Sài Gòn on January 15 1955.
Of these boys, 200 settled in Thủ Đức, and 60 in Gò Vấp.
In Thủ Đức
As said above, the Salesians had bought Mrs. Carrée plot in Thủ Đức, but it now had
become a shooting ground for the South Vietnamese Army and so they could not live there.
However, Fr. Cuisset had also purchased another plot near Thủ Đức market, about 10
kilometers from Sài Gòn. It was very hard for Fr. Cuisset to buy this plot, but the good
general Ely had given him the money. This was a large sandy land where our boys had to live
in tents for a month, and they also dug a well for drinking water. Later, they moved the tents
and built a big wooden house with an iron sheet roof, and this was their first living shelter.
Other houses would later be built as we shall describe below.
In Gò Vấp
A little far from Thủ Đức, Fr. Cuisset also managed to buy from the South Vietnamese
Army a plot with an abandoned railway station next to it. This station linked Sài Gòn with the
rubber plantations on the borders with Cambodia. The student workers lived in the building
of the station and its storehouses.
Such was our Salesian settlements near Sài Gòn, with 200 boys in Thủ Đức and 60 in Gò
Vấp.
128
|
|
14.7 Page 137 |
▲back to top |
CHAPTER 21: FR. MAJCEN BACK TO SÀI GÒN AS PROVINCIAL
DELEGATE AND RECTOR OF THREE HOUSES
1. From Hong Kong to Sài Gòn
Such was the obedience letter. Many people congratulated me. Accompanied by Bro.
Mario Lục, a lay brother who also was sent to work in Vietnam, I decided to take the French-
Chinese ship to Sài Gòn via the Philippines. On our journey, I thought of the Apostles who
after being expelled from a place shook the dust from their feet and went to another. I had
likewise to leave Kunming and then Hà Nội twice. In the same manner, the missionary elite
both foreign and Chinese had set out to the Philippines and within a few years had established
Salesian works with a novitiate where our first professed was the cleric Isidore Lê Hướng. I
thought of my first obedience letter I received in July 1952 by which I was sent to the Negros
Orphanage in the Philippines following the archbishop’s invitation but I could not go for
health reason. I was happy to see Fr. Braga, Fr. Quaranta, and Mrzel Rafko, then I thought of
Fr. Ricaldone, Rizzato, Cliford and other architects of the developing Philippines province. A
storm swept through Manila before our disembarkation, making me very uneasy. The
confreres who for the most part were my acquaintance greeted me warmly. We visited the
Mandaluyong house in Manila and Fr. Braga who was in hospital with a broken leg after an
accident… It was a pity I had to embark for Vietnam. The ship resumed its journey to Vũng
Tàu where the captain anchored the ship to wait for the tidal rise to continue its journey on
Sài Gòn river.
On the river, the captain alerted the passengers about the ambushes along the banks of
the Bình Xuyên guerrillas who were opposed to Prime Minister Ngô Đình Diệm.
After so many years, I still keep in my memory the beautiful and vivid scenery of that
journey. When I saw the Sài Gòn Cathedral and other palaces and buildings in Sài Gòn – Chợ
Lớn where there was a great port, the siren from the ship announced our arrival to Fr. Cuisset
Quí and Fr. Generoso Quảng who would see us a few hours later after we finished the
necessary check in at the customs.
They took us on their car and drove us on a 10 kilometer road that brought us to Thủ
Đức. This formely sterile area that used to be a refuge for the communist guerrillas, now had
completely changed. Not far away a new university village showed itself, and over there
stood the Bắc Ninh parish church with a high school where, among other pupils, there were
also a number of the local seminarians and of our boys. After a warm welcome by the pupils,
we had a snack then we visited the houses that was then designed into two big barracks.
The first barrack which had been transported from Hà Nội after a long journey was
reassembled and comprised a gate, the kitchen, the refectory, the sewing and the carpentry
shops. The pupils had not yet been split up into different trades. At the fartherst end was Fr.
Majcen’s office and bedroom. The other barrack comprised the chapel, the pupils’ dormitory
with two stage beds, small cupboards and a few wardrobes that had been transported from Hà
Nội. At the end of the barrack were the toilets and laundry. There was a big well dug by the
pupils for drinking water and for washing. Fr. Cuisset told us that the land had been cleared
but not clean yet. Snakes and centipede had for the most part disappeared but occasionally
showed up behind the stones of the ancient tombs at the corner of the garden. Other troubles
included the dogs of the neighbourhood. At night they used to crawl through the bamboos
fences and got in the yard where they noisily played and fought against each other under the
129
|
|
14.8 Page 138 |
▲back to top |
130 Chapter 21: Fr. Majcen back to Sài Gòn as Provincial Delegate and Rector
moonlight. There still remained some termite mounds that were later leveled by modern
bulldozers.
At this point we can clearly see how strenuously Fr. Cuisset had been working while Fr.
Majcen was away from Vietnam.
a. Thủ Đức, the first part of Salesian works in the service of the youth
in South Vietnam
In Thủ Đức, Fr. Majcen was surrounded by his former aspirants of Hà Nội: John Ty,
Marc Huỳnh, Joseph Thọ, Joseph Mỹ, Joseph Sử, Joseph Vấn… and the alumni of Bùi Chu
Seminary like Phúc, Liêm, and Chuyên, the sewing shop’s head. Then there was a brass band
directed by Fr. Generoso who assumed two offices of prefect of studies and catechist,
supervising the pious associations, sport and morality. Their radiant and cheerful faces helped
to attract other boys to the Salesian life. The number of boys was 200 with an exemplary and
disciplined life. In the morning and afternoon they studied at home or in the Bắc Ninh
seminary or the Mossard school of the Lasalle Brothers. But all took part in the morning
occupations, sport games in the afternoon and private studies in the evening, as well as
attended the liturgy, Mass and morning and evening prayers. An atmosphere of joy, openness
and harmony reigned everywhere.
There were only four Salesians: Fr. Majcen as rector and provincial delegate, Fr.
Generoso Quảng as prefect of studies and catechist, Fr. Cuisset Quí as economer and
responsible for the Gò Vấp branch, and Bro. Lục who had just come from Hong Kong.
b. Fr. Cuisset took Fr. Majcen on a visit to the Gò Vấp plot
It was not very far from Thủ Đức and stood next to a dirty market near Sài Gòn river. It
was close to the police quarters, and comprised the building of the old railway station and a
large storehouse next to it.
The two brick buidings appeared to be more solid than the two barracks in Thủ Đức.
Both had been purchased by Fr. Cuisset who could easily found support and aid from
benefactors in Sài Gòn. The refectory and dormitory was placed in the building of the former
railway station, and new toilets and bathrooms were also added. The storehouse was
converted into a workshop for the trade pupils, but there was a shortage of technical teachers.
Fr. Cuisset was often away. A lay person tried to teach the boys as much as possible, because
Bro. Lục alone could not undertake everything.
Later in Gò Vấp emerged another work: the reception of a number of boys taken from
the prison with a view to mending their conduct. It was the idea of a good benefactor1 and Fr.
Cuisset and Fr. Majcen with Fr. Acquistapace’s encouragement eagerly accepted it. This
benefactor had bought a plot in Gò Vấp and gave to Fr. Cuisset all that he needed to build a
small house of 20 beds, with kitchen, study hall among other things. This was in some sense a
return to the former Boys Town in Hà Nội. A number of boys were undertaken to be released
from prison and join in a home where they would lack nothing. At the beginning some
escaped for want of freedom. But later, being hungry, they returned and was readmitted by
Fr. Cuisset who had a predilection for them. Actually Fr. Majcen was also very interested in
1 Fr. Majcen wrote “Il Presidente del Pen Club”, .. but the group was commonly called the “Lyon Club”.
130
|
|
14.9 Page 139 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 21: Fr. Majcen back to Sài Gòn as Provincial Delegate and Rector 131
this apostolate, but he was prevented to take it up for lack of staff and his own limited
competence in this. Fr. Cuisset, instead, managed to take it up with the help of the past pupils.
Fr. Majcen as Rector and Provincial Delegate
In Hà Nội, life in the Orphanges was going on very well thanks to the help of benefactors
and the government, assuring the boys of an orderly life and opportunities for a cultural and
professional education.
After the Geneva Accords, the partition of the country and the emigration to the South
was like a bomb that overturned everything. We could not maintain or develop the
Orphanage because of shortage of staff at a minimum standard. Perhaps it was Don Bosco’s
will that, once Mgr. Seitz’s system was reduced to a hopeless state, we were forced to begin
from scratch. Even the government then could no longer help us because they were busy with
the settlement of a million of refugees in the South.
Fr. Cuisset and Fr. Generoso had made arrangements for the boys who moved from Ban
Mê Thuột to live in two barracks to enjoy the minimum necessities of education and the
Salesian practices of piety. Now when Fr. Majcen came back to Vietnam as a provincial
delegate, he also had to realign everything to assure a more orderly Salesian life. Due to a
shortage of staff, he asked the Superiors in Turin to send more confreres but he was not
granted, because the Superiors was afraid that, on the basis of the Geneva Accords, the South
would soon fall into the Ho’s hand. But Fr. Majcen, with his personal experiences, was
always optimistic and wanted to “act as long as the sun still shines.” For us, it was a matter of
serving the souls, holding fast to our faith and hope, and having trust in Mary Help of
Christians who could do everything. But the solutions for the boys in Thủ Đức was not the
same as for those in Gò Vấp.
2. Salesian staff in Thủ Đức – central house of the Vietnamese delegation
At the provincial delegate office in Thủ Đức, we had Fr. Generoso, an eloquent and vivid
Salesian, who lived with the boys between 1955 and 1956, and greatly helped them with his
natural cheerfulness. But other works had to be developed such as education, opening classes
for cultural and vocational students. So far Fr. Majcen had had the help of some trainers2 like
Phúc, a very dynamic though not always well-balanced teacher and little experienced, who
could only fill in the gap for the smaller boys classes. And there were also Dũng,3 Liêm, the
seminarian Tiệm among others.
Fr. Mario sent three confreres to help Fr. Majcen: the clerics Attilio Stra, Vellere, and the
lay brother Borri. Bro. Stra was very capable, Bro. Vellere was a good and pious man but had
to learn Vietnamese. Fr. Majcen allotted them one hour for the practices of piety, gave them a
conference a week, and instead of reading a Bible passage per week, they had to learn by
heart an ask-and-answer catechism item in Vietnamese. Bro. Stra got marvelous success
while Bro. Vellere could not speak Vietnamese. As for Bro. Borri, who had been a
bookbinder in Macao and Shanghai, his Vietnamese was mixed up with his Cantonese and
Shanghaiese… But he was truly an infirmarian with a golden heart for the poor and
abandoned boys.
2 Commonly called “moniteurs”, who had not been a Salesian or a real teacher yet, , but who could supervise the
classes, while they themselves had to continue studying in their high school classes.
3 Who had a leg paralyzed, and was nicknamed “Dũng zoppo”.
|
|
14.10 Page 140 |
▲back to top |
132 Chapter 21: Fr. Majcen back to Sài Gòn as Provincial Delegate and Rector
Then also came Fr. Musso, a priest with a very particular character. As a confessor, he
did not want to involve in any material matters.
Under Fr. Majcen’s direction, all tried to run the house well, being aware that they would
make this house an aspirantate then a novitiate in Vietnam.
3. The Gò Vấp House
The most complicate problem was with the House of Gò Vấp with 60 pupils under the
direction of Fr. Cuisset (who usually had to be outside by necessity). Bro. Lục taught them
the trades, with the help of a competent Catholic. Not all the pupils learned at home; many
had to go to some workshops outside. But these pupils were not content with it, because they
still missed the former educational system in the Boys Town where they got more freedom,
could eat better and could have some money to spend thanks to Mgr. Seitz who often gave
them money. And they wanted that the life in Gò Vấp should also be like that in Hà Nội
before. Fr. Majcen asked the Provincial to send him professional teachers. But the Provincial
had none. Some best teachers had been sent to the Philippines. Only until the years 1957,
1958 had he sent to Gò Vấp Fr. Donders, a Hollander with very progressive educational
theories. Afte him was Bro. Nardin (Thầy Tiến), a very good brother but who was often ill.
Then came Fr. Matthew Tchong, a Chinese; Bro. Ludovico De Marchi (Thầy Mai), who was
very successful in learning Vietnamese. In the school year 1957-57 came Fr. Guerino
Luvisotto (Cha Lương) from Udine, Italy, a ‘bon papa’. He wonderfully succeeded although
his Vietnamese was like the language of the Pentecost.
4. Mgr. Seitz introduced Fr. Majcen to his acquaintance in Sài Gòn
As soon as he heard of Fr. Majcen’s coming in Vietnam, Mgr. Seitz immediately went to
Sài Gòn to see him and to exchange the news on the alumni from Hà Nội whom he loved
with all his fatherly heart. As he had done previously in Hà Nội, Mgr. Seitz at once had the
idea to register Fr. Majcen in the ceremonial committee so as to give him opportunities to
contact the people who would help him. It was through this that Fr. Majcen could make
acquaintance with the then Nuncio, Mgr. Caprio, who forever remained our great benefactor.
He also knew Mgr. Simon Hoà Hiền and had contacts with Frs. Duchesne and Harmeth of
Caritas to receive rice and other necessities, and with representative of CARE Organization to
receive implements for the workers, then with MISEREOR for German aids. He also have
meetings with the Lyon Club4 and Mr. Maurao, the person in charge of the rehabilitation of
our delinquent youngsters, and received their aids… Fr. Majcen also met the high
commissary5 of the French police who still held authority over the montagnards and over the
immense highland of Đà Lạt, Bảo Lộc, etc… He approached the heads of the social
organizations whom he had previously known in Hà Nội, and could contact the military
commanders, merchants and also the leaders of the Protestants and Buddhists. For his service
to the poor and dangerous youth, he was welcome everywhere. He still kept his Vatican
passport which he got when he was in Kunming and which was issued by a Vatican official
in Hong Kong. When he asked for an extension of his passport, the Nuncio Caprio showed
his special kindness by granting him a Vatican diplomatic passport which he used until
4 Fr. Majcen wrote “il Pen Club”.
5 “Alto Comissario francese”.
132
|
|
15 Pages 141-150 |
▲back to top |
|
|
15.1 Page 141 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 21: Fr. Majcen back to Sài Gòn as Provincial Delegate and Rector 133
1975.6 Through this he was treated with a diplomatic status and could relate with the
government officials. As for his relationship with Mgr. Caprio, who later became a Cardinal,
it remained forever a close friendship.
A visit to Đà Lạt
As he had some negotiations in Đà Lạt, Mgr. Seitz invited Fr. Majcen to accompany him.
Sitting by the side of the bishop on a 300 kilometer journey, the two could leisurely talk
about the young, and about their hopes and plans. They set out from Thủ Đức early in the
morning to avoid the burning heat of the day. When they got into the asphalted road built by
the French, they saw at their right, on a formerly empty and spacious land, a beautiful
monastery built by the Vietnamese and Spanish Dominicans who intended to make it a
studentate of philosophy and theology where our future Vietnamese brothers could study.
Then they passed over the Đồng Nai bridge where the police checked the passenger and
where the soldiers kept watch over the new bridge. They saw under the bridge the tidal waves
of the river on which several steam boats were carrying goods and fishing people.
Next they got to Hố Nai, near Biên Hoà city. After a stop for a visit to the beautiful
Sacred Heart church, they went to a new and big hospital run by the Brothers Hospitallers
that was crowded with patients. Fr. Majcen wanted to see their superior to ask for their help
in dentistry to the aspirants in Thủ Đức and Gò Vấp. Along two sides of the road, Fr. Majcen
could see new villages created by the refugees from the North, each of which had its own
church. Actually it was President Ngô Đình Diệm who had granted these lands to the
refugees and given them aids to build their living and make the land valuable. They built their
churches similar to the ones they had in the North, with schools, dispensaries and small
convents for the Sisters Lovers of the Cross who zealously served there. In those villages of
that time, the priest was everything: he was a parish priest, a doctor, a judge, and he served
the good of his flock, with the help and collaboration of the parish pastoral council. Seeing
the numerous Catholic people who were so dynamic, so rich in faith and in their children, Fr.
Majcen could quickly fancy a promised future for Salesian vocations that would spring. After
Hố Nai was Gia Kiệm, where he also saw thousands of Catholics flock to the church for Mass
and prayer. This devotion sprang from their ancestors who had given their lives to the
Church, to God and to Mary.
Seeing the aborigines for the first time
The road to Đà Lạt began from Đèo Chuối, a mountain pass that led them through the
forests and hills, a very dangerous area in several aspects. At the end of the pass, the two
entered the land of the ethnic people. Mgr. Seitz explained to Fr. Majcen that these aborigines
were of Indonesian race. In a later period, the Chinese and Vietnamese came to settle here.
The ethnics withdrew deep into the forest to live their primitive life. They were animists,
undercivilized and illiterate. They wore loincloths. Women, men and children, all alike used
pipes. Men had always with them a machete for protection against snakes and to open their
way through bushes and thorns.
6 AM 1956-1958, p. 244: AM 1956-1958, trang 244: Un incaricato della santa Sede a Hong Kong mi dava un
Emergency passaporto vaticano che poi usavo sempre fino al 1957. Domandando Mgr Caprio il
prolungamento, mi prendeva un nuovo passaporto diplomativo vaticano, come espressione della gentilezza
speciale. Questo passaporto usavo fino al 1975, quando mi per paura dei communisti, un mio confratello di
Saigon nascondeva... Fino quel tempo stavo sempre nelle strette relazioni con Mgr. Caprio.
|
|
15.2 Page 142 |
▲back to top |
134 Chapter 21: Fr. Majcen back to Sài Gòn as Provincial Delegate and Rector
Before getting to Gia Kiệm, there was bifurcated into a branch leading to Nha Trang and
another to Đà Lạt.
After a 200 km drive (from Thủ Đức), they stopped at Blao (also called Bảo Lộc). This
was a town where there were plenty of tea and coffee plantations. In this town, there were
many refugee families from the North and the Chinese also. In fact, there were Chinese
wherever the trade and business flourished. Here there were many churches, schools and
monasteries… The numerous Catholic youngsters here made Fr. Majcen consider a future
Salesian community in this town, while Mgr. Seitz thought of a village for his alumni.
In Đà Lạt
Continuing their journey, the two missionaries arrived in Đà Lạt, a small city constructed
by the French on the highland to serve as their vacation site to avoid the summer heat of Sài
Gòn. Not only was it a vacation site, it also was somewhat of a religious city decked by
numerous monasteries, novitiate houses, houses of studies and even a Catholic university. In
spite of the war, these still existed. The two missionaries visited many places, including the
Benedictine monastery near Bảo Đại Palace that later became summer vacation retreat of
President Ngô Đình Diệm. As the Benedictine monks could not stand the noise of an area that
had become a tourist site, they sold it to find another quieter place in Cambodia to live their
contemplative and working ideal.
Mgr. Seitz talked with the French High Commissary responsible for the (highland) ethnic
people7 to find some plots of land for the Salesians who, by their technical competence, could
break the land to create a village for his alumni. With this project, the alunmi’s families could
assure their future by working on their coffee plantations. It was a wonderful idea, but it
might be just a will-o-the-wisp. Realistically Fr. Majcen suggested that with his actual lack of
personnel, such a big task cannot be undertaken. His words disappointed the good bishop
who was very sad to see his most cherished dream vanish.
5. Fr. Majcen’s letter to Fr. Vode dated December 30 1956
“Providence has prepared a bright future for us in this beloved country. Such is our
Superiors’ conviction. In Đà Lạt we should have formation houses such as aspirantate,
novitiate, and studentate. But we keep wondering: Who will come to help us? We are short of
staff. Right from the beginning we need five or six priests, councilors, catechists, teachers,
economers, technicians. We must urgently learn Vietnamese in order to do some service, then
we must hear confession, preach, teach catechism. And a great evangelization will be done in
the following years.”8
This letter reflects the soul of Fr. Majcen and of the first Salesians, as it reflects the
desire of the whole Vietnamese Church.
But wasn’t it just a will-o-the-wisp if we think of the actual situation of our works? O
Mary, will you not accept our prayer for an apostolate that is open ahead?
7 “Alto commissario francese per li altipiani”.
8 Cfr. the article “Il nostro lavoro” of Fr. Vode.
134
|
|
15.3 Page 143 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 21: Fr. Majcen back to Sài Gòn as Provincial Delegate and Rector 135
6. The first provincial delegation council
Because Thủ Đức and Gò Vấp was then under Fr. Majcen as provincial delegate, the
House Council (including Fr. Majcen, Fr. Generoso and Fr. Cuisset) was at the same time the
Provincial Delegation Council. The Council had only a consultative right, their proposals
needed the approval of Turin and Hong Kong. There were regular meetings only while Fr.
Majcen was provincial delegate, but it was not so when the delegate was Fr. Mario
Acquistapace who almost decided everything alone. (As Fr. Luvisotto later commented: “He
who does something by himself has to do the work of three.”) But later, when Fr. Alessandro
Ma was provincial, the council worked better because the Salesians in Vietnam were about to
be split from the China Province.
In the first meeting of the council, Fr. Majcen thanked the confreres for having done
wonderful and heroic work during the years 1954-56, but this temporary work had now to be
brought to a more lasting system. He also told them about his trip to Đà Lạt, about the
numerous Catholic youngsters he had met on his trip and he envisioned a promising
vocational potentiality. He also spoke of the plot of the Benedictine monastery which would
be very suitable for a future novitiate.
In practice, the council decided:
1. Due to changing situation, we cannot continue as we had with the previous system of
the Boys Town, but must systematize our work in the model of a Salesian orphanage.
2. Thủ Đức will be a school to gradually become a Salesian aspirantate.
3. In Gò Vấp, we must dismiss the troublemakers and rearrange the vocational sector,
admit poor boys, in particular those refugees from the North.
4. As for the location, our Thủ Đức house needs to be reorganized to improve. The
existing Gò Vấp house is too small, we need larger space, with our trust in the Providence.
5. About the aspirants, we prefer to receive the boys from refugee families and also from
the boys of Southern origin.
6. We will soon consider the possibility of a work in Đà Lạt for the Salesian formation
and a vacation retreat for the Salesians.
These resolutions were approved by the superiors in Hong Kong and in Turin, with a
recommendation that we should proceed with prudence because of the complicated situation,
and always according to the design of Providence.
|
|
15.4 Page 144 |
▲back to top |
CHAPTER 22: A REDIMENSIONING OF THỦ ĐỨC HOUSE
On the staff: In the beginning there were only two Salesians: Fr. Majcen and Fr.
Generoso Bogo. Next came Bro. Borri (Thầy Báu), Bro. Nardin (Thầy Tiến), the clerics Stra
(Thầy Lực) and Vellere (Thầy Trinh). After a while there came Fr. Musso (Cha Mai), Fr.
Luvisotto (Cha Lương) and Bro. Donders (Thầy Độ). Only Fr. Majcen, Fr. Generoso and Fr.
Cuisset could speak Vietnamese. The others could just babble.
On the work: The house and the plot had to be rearranged. Walls had to be built around
to prevent burglary and devastating dogs. Then there must have drainage ditches to prevent
flood after the rain. Other works to be built next were a gate post and a house for clothes
drying, while the dormitory and the infirmary had to be extended. In addition, the chapel had
to be modified to become better and to make the boys accustomed to visit the Blessed
Sacrament.
Fr. Luvisotto, a practical man, also had henhouses and pigsties built, while Fr. Generoso
had a lot of trees planted to give shadow. We did not forget to have corridors and
playgrounds for the recreation of about 300 boys. The superiors led a very popular life: they
slept in the same dormitory with the boys to assist them and also to get some fresh air in the
night. As for Fr. Majcen, he had a private bedroom next to his office but it was quite narrow
and very hot.
Health care
Although the house was quite neat and tidy, and the sanitary conditions also satisfactory,
not all had a good health. There were several reasons: the hot climate easily fatigued not only
the Salesians who were all western people, but also the boys who came from the North. On
the other hand, many boys were undernourished, very sensitive to lungs diseases. A good
doctor weekly visited our boys and treated them, and the serious patients had to be sent to the
St. Paul Hospitals where the Sisters took care of them with all their love and sacrifice. As for
Fr. Majcen with his chronic toothache, he was sent to the hospital in Biên Hoà to be treated
by the Hospitallers Brothers.
Financial matters
The financial situation was always unstable, because all the boys were poor and wholly
depended on us. A large amount of money had to be spent for their daily food. Other works
were also costly, added to the monthly salary to be paid to the teachers. But Providence took
care of us. The Sài Gòn Social Department Director, who was a close friend of Fr. Majcen
since they were in Hà Nội, was always very generous to him. Fr. Majcen also received aids
from Caritas and other organization. He also got help from Fr. Cappelletti and Fr. Louis of
the USA Foster Parents Organization. Many years later, they continued to send money to Fr.
Majcen in behalf of his boys.
Scholastic matters
With the help of the postulants (the bigger boys who came from other seminaries or
congregations), Fr. Generoso organized classes for the elementary programs leading them to
high school. Those pupils who showed good abilities were chosen to advance in their studies
with a view to becoming Salesian novices in the future. Initially Thủ Đức House continued to
136
|
|
15.5 Page 145 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 22: Redimensioning of Thủ Đức House 137
be called St. Theresa Orphanage as it was in Hà Nội, but little by little, with its development,
it was called an Apostolic School, then an Aspirantate, and eventually was called the Don
Bosco High School. In the beginning Fr. Majcen had to ask a Lasalle Brother to be a nominal
principal of the school, because we then had not a qualified Salesian to assume the role of a
principal.
Piety and catechism teaching
While improving other things in the house, the superiors also took special care of the
religious life of the boys by the practices of piety and also by the celebration of the triduums,
novenas and feasts. They could watch religious and recreational films and filmstrips. Fr.
Generoso organized the associations called “compagnies", the altar server group, the choir for
smaller boys.
During two years in Hà Nội, Fr. Majcen had of necessity to speak Vietnamese with
difficulty. Now in the South, he had to regularly teach catechism, make homilies, give
conferences and advice, with a view to helping the boys understand more about Don Bosco
and the Salesian vocation. He found as his Vietnamese teacher an orphan boy named Lâm
Đức Dũng, an intelligent boy who had finished the form 9 of secondary school, and who
knew French. Dũng was an ideal teacher for Fr. Majcen’s purpose. In learning Vietnamese,
he often confounded the accents and also confounded the Vietnamese with the Chinese he
had learnt in Kunming. Dũng greatly helped him improve his Vietnamese, and he was proud
when he saw the boys eagerly listen to his talk about religion and Don Bosco. Dũng later
wanted to become a Salesian aspirant but the personal condition did not allow him to do so.
Following his example, other foreign Salesians also applied themselves more and more
in learning Vietnamese and were engaged in the catechism teaching to the baptized and
catechumens.
Cheerfulness in discipline
The wholeheartedly dedicated Salesians always stayed among the children, organizing
exciting games and competitions to promote a healthy and cheerful atmosphere. Guests
coming to our house were amazed at the serenity and cheerfulness of our boys, a picture they
had never seen anywhere. And Salesian discipline emerged from this serene atmosphere.
Even the boys who came from the Hà Nội Boys Town and who were used to more freedom
there also began to adapt to this new atmosphere.
Good students
In Hà Nội, Mgr. Seitz had received some very intelligent boys and sent them to the
school of the Lasalle Brothers. In Thủ Đức, the Lasalle Brothers also had a school and they
continued to allow some of our students to study free in their school, because there weren’t
suitable classes for them. These were also adopted by some better off families and lived with
them while still keeping an attachment to and love for the Salesians. They later became
doctors, lawyers, teachers, …
The moving family reunions
Fr. Generoso through the Social Department succeeded to find those families which had
been dispersed by the war. Just imagine the joy and happiness of the parents who found again
their children whom they had considered as definitely lost.
|
|
15.6 Page 146 |
▲back to top |
138 Chapter 22: Redimensioning of Thủ Đức House
The adoptions
Many rich families who were without a child wanted to adopt some of our boys. They
wanted to take the smartest boys. Our Salesians were against this selective way of doing,
because they feared that once these boys were taken away from their familiar setting, they
would abandon their faith. There were cases that some boys without a family who wanted to
become member of a rich family took the opportunity of a visit to their relatives to frequent
some rich families and then eventually stay with them definitely. In itself, the adoption was
not bad, because some of the boys who were adopted had a good opportunity to study and
they turned out successfully in their career and were very good past pupils. Fr. Generoso
Bogo was very interested in this matter, and in principle it was a good solution for the boys.
Creating the personal files
In order to receive social subsidies, our pupils needed to have their personal files
including their birth certificates and their family origin, but all those files had been lost on
their itinerary Hà Nội — Ban Mê Thuột — Sài Gòn. This was a difficult task because many
when entering the Orphanage were still very small and could not recall much about their
family or even their date of birth. But Fr. Generoso who was responsible for making these
files was clever enough to give them their new date and place of birth, and these pieces of
information became their “official” personal file. But in the Church, to enter religious life or
to become a priest, canon law requires a dispensation if any candidate does not have the
requisite information on his family, as in the case of Fr. John Ty who was granted a
dispensation from the Vice-Rector Major Fr. Fedrigotti.
138
|
|
15.7 Page 147 |
▲back to top |
CHAPTER 23: REDIMENSIONING OF GÒ VẤP HOUSE (1957-58)
The Gò Vấp House was a branch of the Thủ Đức House. Fr. Majcen as a provincial
delegate was also recognized by the civil government, and Fr. Cuisset was a prefect general.
Responsible for Gò Vấp was Fr. Cuisset, Bro. Mario Lục, and later Fr. Luvisotto and Bro.
Carlo Nardin.1
Origin and location
The Gò Vấp House was formerly an old railway station that connected Sài Gòn—Gò
Vấp—Lộc Ninh. Frs. Berutti and Candella had once gone from Pnompenh to Lộc Ninh by
car, then they took the train from Gò Vấp to Kunming via Sài Gòn and Hà Nội.
Since 1956 Fr. Majcen often went to Gò Vấp to oversee, give guidance in discipline and
work. He observed that Bro. Lục was the only Salesian permanent staff who was too busy
and tired and not very successful in keeping disciplines because of the evil influence of a
number of bad pupils. On the other hand the Social Department continuously demanded us to
receive more street boys.
There was a small villa of the former railways supervisor. There also was a large
storehouse. Fr. Cuisset had a wall built all around the plot and constructed two long houses
by using the iron frames brought from Hà Nội and other materials he was given in Sài Gòn.
He wisely guided for the workers to make the most of everything. Thus we had a chapel, a
classroom, some workshops and also the bathrooms and toilets. With this we had a small
boarding school for our student workers.
The apprentices
There were 60 apprentices who came from Hà Nội, then some more sent by the Social
Department. They were divided into two groups: the smaller boys learned at home, the bigger
ones outside. Responsible for the teaching were Bro. Lục and an outside teacher who was
graduated from Cao Thắng Technical School.
Discipline
Fr. Majcen had a unique opportunity to give a goodnight talk to them. He spoke of
discipline or something like that, but at once saw a grudge expressed in the face of some
boys. In fact, one morning Bro. Lục informed Fr. Majcen that two or three boys escaped
taking with themselves their beds, cupboards and clothes of other boys as well as boxes of
tools given by Mr. Thomas of the Aids Organization2 and by the Social Department…
Discipline had almost gone with the wind. The pupils had been left for a long time in a
state of idleness in the last days in Hà Nội when the situation was uncertain, while the stay in
Ban Mê Thuột had not been permanent and so, when they came to Gò Vấp, they had lost their
liking for work. They wanted now to be as free as when they had been in the Boys Town in
Hà Nội where they could have everything and receive gifts from Mgr. Seitz. They therefore
began to be rebellious and disappoint everybody. They defied the timetable and did whatever
they liked. Fr. Cuisset being often absent could do nothing, while Bro. Lục met with much
difficulty because he was Chinese and could not speak Vietnamese; still, he was of small
stature.
1 According to Elenco 1956-57.
2 “Dal CARE – Mr. Thomas”.
139
|
|
15.8 Page 148 |
▲back to top |
140 Chapter 23: Redimensioning of Gò Vấp House
Jobs
As said earlier, many had jobs outside. Some smaller boys learn some elementary lessons
in trade with Bro. Lục while others was taught by an outside teacher, but because these boys
were too undisciplined, the teacher eventually had to resign.
Fr. Cuisset had to dismiss the stealers first, then dismiss those who had become
dangerous morally. Shortly later he dismissed others after having found jobs for them and
giving some money for their immediate necessities. So there remained only the smaller boys
and about ten bigger boys who, though they were reluctant to work or study, were harmless
for others.
It was evident that this situation must be changed, but it needed some time for Gò Vấp
to really become in 1958 a school and an aspirantate for those who wanted to become a
Salesian coadjutor.
The young lions of Lyon
There was in Gò Vấp a small and autonomous section of a small re-educational camp
that we have mentioned earlier. The boys belonging to this section were called the “young
lions of Lyon”, after the name of the Lyon Pen Club in Sài Gòn that sponsored it.
The existence of this work refers us to the well-known prison of Chí Hoà in Sài Gòn.
With the permission of the director of this prison of 300 [rooms] and thousands of prisoners,3
Fr. Cuisset could visit it. It was partitioned into various sections and prisoner’s wards.4 It had
another branch in Thủ Đức.
With a stirred heart, Fr. Cuisset was deeply moved by the conditions of these youngsters
among whom some had committed murder or belonged to black gangs, but there were also
youngsters who were innocent, victims of the disturbing social situation. FR. CUISSET felt a
call to save these youngsters in Don Bosco’s name.
With Fr. Mario’s blessing in 1963, at the beginning of the school year and by a contract
with Mr. Munier, Director of the Lyon Pen Club5, Fr. Cuisset started the apostolic work “The
Youngsters of Lyon Club”. He bought a plot next to the existing one and built the dormitory,
classrooms and an office for the Director of this work, Fr. Cuisset. He received subsidies for
himself and for a supervisor.
Fr. Majcen personally met the 20 to 30 boys who had been selected by Fr. Cuisset at the
Chí Hoà prison. Once released and came to us, some of them escaped, some others returned
to their home, and they were not accustomed to discipline. We educated them by goodnight
talks. Fr. Majcen was really interested in them and he studied a lot about this kind of
apostolate. After many years, he had an opportunity to contact them personally when they
went to Trạm Hành during their summer vacation.
3 “Direttore di questa città di 300 e più mille prigionieri”.
4 Later, two of our priests, Frs. Joseph Hinh and Fabiano Hào wou ld be kept here by the communists.
5 “Il direttore del Pen Club Munier”
140
|
|
15.9 Page 149 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 23: Redimensioning of Gò Vấp House 141
Then there was some rumor about this marvelous French priest: where was he now?
Where had he gone in 1964? Anyhow, Fr. Cuisset had truly and wholeheartedly worked for
these boys for seven or eight years.
In the following years, Fr. Majcen, Fr. Stra and Fr. Massimino tried to apply suitable
Salesian approaches to continue the re-education of these “delinquents”.
|
|
15.10 Page 150 |
▲back to top |
CHAPTER 24: GENERAL SITUATION IN THE SALESIAN HOUSES
AND OUTSIDE
Increase of pupils
In Sài Gòn, Fr. Majcen met an old friend of his, the former Director of the Social
Department in Hà Nội, who was now Director of the Social Department in Sài Gòn. He
proposed to Fr. Majcen to receive the abandoned boys who had emigrated from the North.
After a survey, Fr. Majcen exposed his point: “We are working in the field of social service,
because we are a pro-government entity in this field when we accept the boys subsidized by
the Department monthly. We however cannot accept all of them, but only those who are good
and who show intelligent enough to learn or know a trade. We want to do a systematic
charitable work, and we try our best to make them become good and useful citizen, as Don
Bosco said.”
These words pleased the Director. Fr. Majcen later would repeat them to other guests,
whether they were Vietnamese or foreigners such as the representatives of the organizations
of Misereor, CARE, Caritas, or ambassadors, … who came to see him. They were pleased
with our principle. The Social Department Director himself also presented this principle to
President Ngô Đình Diệm and his secretary, Mr. Hay.
A truck full of children
One day, a St. Paul Sister from Đà Nẵng brought 40 children on a truck to Fr. Majcen
and asked him to receive them. Though he was a close friend of the bishop of Đà Nẵng, Fr.
Majcen said he could not receive all of them. He said: “We cannot accept so numerous
children. OK, now you are tired by the journey, please take a rest then have breakfast. Then
Fr. Generoso will select those that we can accept, but I must admit that we have no more
room.” The good Sister then left disappointed and had to find another place for her children.
From Rạch Bắp, Bình Dương, to Tam Hà parish
A father in black gown took his son to Fr. Majcen, with a recommendation letter from Fr.
Cao Đức Thuận. The boy showed himself really good and poor before Fr. Majcen’s eyes. His
ancestors had been persecuted for their faith for more than a hundred years, and his
grandfather still kept the relics of a martyr on the family’s altar. This boy was Dominic Uyển,
who would be among the first Salesian novices of Fr. Majcen and who would later study at
the PAS. He would be ordained priest, said his first Mass in the St. Khang Church in Tam Hà,
Thủ Đức. After 1975 he became a parish priest of the Liên Khương parish and rector of a
group of the 10 deacons and new priests between 1975-1978. Then he was arrested and
imprisoned by the Communists, and was released a year later by the intervention of Mgr.
Lâm, bishop of Đà Lạt. Fr. Majcen thought this boy might be a good candidate for the
Salesian works in the future in Vietnam. And he thought these days were a good opportunity
for us to catch big fishes for the Salesians.
Three other aspirants from Nha Trang
In Nha Trang, there lived a famous Chàm tribe who had had a high civilization among
the world civilizations before Christ. A former military officer who had been a Franciscan
aspirant, Vincent Quý, presented himself to Fr. Majcen to join the Salesian Congregation and
was admitted. He was immediately appointed to teach math and French to Form 7, the then
142
|
|
16 Pages 151-160 |
▲back to top |
|
|
16.1 Page 151 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 24: General Situation in The Salesian Houses and Outside 143
highest class in Thủ Đức school. When the aspirantate started, a Franciscan Father led to us
two boys named Peter Cho and Michael Phùng. The latter was a younger brother of Vincent
Quý. All three later became Salesian priests. Fr. Phùng would become a rector and parish
priest of a very poor parish named Tân Cang, and Fr. Quý became a chaplain for the army of
the Republic of Vietnam, then immigrated to USA. Fr. Cho was very good at languages and
later got a Doctor in Theology and would become a Dean and professor at Dallas University.
Some other boys were later admitted but would withdraw for not having a vocation. As Don
Bosco said: “Try all but admit the good ones to our Congregation.”1
Three seminarians from Huế
A Redemptorist Father brought to us two seminarians with a recommendation of Mgr.
Urutia, MEP, bishop of Huế. With regard to the aspirants, even when there was no room, Fr.
Majcen could always find ways to accept them, because our main aim was to form young
Salesians. It was a feast of Our Lady. It was she who brought us Mr. Fabiano Hào.2 Another
boy was brought to us by the Redemptorists was Peter Đệ, who would replace Fr. Majcen as
a novice master after 1976, then was a theology teacher and rector of Xuân Hiệp community
in Thủ Đức. There was still another aspirant named Nguyên who later was indiscreetly
dismissed by a superior before the novitiate year 1961-62 started.
The vocational students
The Social Department and some other people also recommended to us some boys to
learn a trade. These boys were sent by Fr. Majcen to Gò Vấp to fill in the places of those who
had been dismissed.
A visit by President Diệm to Thủ Đức house
The Social Department Director had spoken of our preventive system to President Diệm.
And unexpectedly the President came to our house. Fr. Majcen was keeping order in the
classes when he heard the roaring of police cars and saw many policemen coming, all armed
to the teeth and came towards him without saying a word, then they guarded at all the
strategic spots. The Fr. Majcen saw Mr. Hay, the President’s secretary, get off his jeep and
introduced the President to Fr. Majcen. The President saluted Fr. Majcen and asked him
about his Salesians and the boys’ workshops. Fr. Majcen explained to the President that we
had in Thủ Đức only one sewing workshop while a big workshop was under construction in
Gò Vấp, under Fr. Cuisset’s direction.
After his visit, the President shook Fr. Majcen’s hand and left. His car went in the
direction of the University Village, a beautiful site with small pretty gardens… The President
wanted us to build there a church for the Catholic professors, but could not afford it for lack
of staff.
The President’s sister-in-law and the Caodaist boys
One day Mrs. Nhu, the President’s sister-in-law, escorted by several officers and her
secretary, visited us. She was sort of ‘elongated arm’ of the President in the social services.
She wanted to visit all the school’s sectors and then spoke of the Caodaist boys of an army
1 “Provati tutti, accettati quelli che sono buoni.”
2 Fr. Majcen was very happy to say that when he wrote these lines, he received a letter from Fr. Fabiano Hào,
then a novice master, announcing that he was preparing for 10 novices to make their profession and 4 others to
enter the novitiate. Fr. Hào’s health was poor after 4 years in prison and was still needing medicine.
|
|
16.2 Page 152 |
▲back to top |
144 Chapter 24: General Situation in The Salesian Houses and Outside
children school that had just been closed. She asked Fr. Majcen to receive these boys whose
number was up to 100. Fr. Majcen did not refuse it strait, but he said he could not take so
many at once. Later, due to her insistence through the Social Department, he agreed to
receive some who were the best boys but who were still too attached to their Caodaism. Some
of them became baptized, and that was really a miracle! Twenty years later, one of these boys
wrote to Fr. Majcen expressing his gratitude for having been accepted, while some others also
paid visits to Fr. Majcen in Trạm Hành. It is worth mentioning that the Caodaists believe in
Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary. They also believe in the Buddha, Victor Hugo and
Confucius…
A visit from USA
One day, Fr. Giulio Slapsak, a priest of Slovenian origin who was in charge of the aids
for the Slovenian emigrants abroad, came to visit our house in Thủ Đức. Fr. Majcen ceded his
own room for the guest, but it was very small and hot. The guest could not sleep at all
because of the heat of Sài Gòn. Besides, he had to share our meals that were then very poor.
Still, one day a whirlwind swept over our house, taking off all the roofs. It was like a
nightmare for Fr. Giulio. But he was astonished to see our boys, under Fr. Generoso’s
instruction, collect all the debris and help to put everything in place. And the good Fr. Giulio
could not wait for another whirlwind: he left without forgetting to leave us an amount of
money, and he continued to help us later.
Another happy and important visit was by the secretary of Fr. Capelletti, Director of the
Office for missionary aids in USA. He made a survey on our conditions and since then the
Office had paid special attention to us and helped us more.
Fr. Majcen and Fr. Cuisset’s visits to the bigger churches in the South
In these visits, Fr. Majcen noticed a marked difference between the Northerners who
were very dynamic and systematic in comparison with the Southerners who were affable and
gentle, fruit of their pleasant life and also of the tropical climate; even the Southern accent
was also more melodious. The local priests gave this advice: “You need to learn the Southern
language because the vocations here are abundant, there are many martyrs and consequently
there are lots of seeds to grow into Christians and Salesians for the future…”
After a time, some Southern young also entered our novitiate like Vĩnh, Xiêm, Linh…
Fr. Majcen also observed that the Southern and Northern boys were difficult to accord with
and understand each other. Several authorities recommended us to set up separate
aspirantates and novitiates for the Southern and Northern, but as we were determined to keep
a united spirit among different nationalities, we now should also keep this unity, in
accordance with Don Bosco’s spirit.
144
|
|
16.3 Page 153 |
▲back to top |
CHAPTER 25: HOPELESSNESS OF THE SUPERIORS IN HONG
KONG AT THE POLITICAL SITUATION IN VIETNAM
1. A mi ssi onary l i fe i n war si tuati ons
From 1935 to 1956 when he came to Sài Gòn, Fr. Majcen, Fr. Majcen rarely enjoyed a
quiet, peaceful period without being disturbed in his missionary life. When he was in
Kunming, it was the guerrilla war of Mao Zedong, then the World War II between 1940 and
1945, and again in North Vietnamwith the Vietminh guerrilla war leading to the 1954 exodus.
Together with other Salesians, Fr. Majcen tried to save as many as possible the orphans from
their miserable lives and brought them from Hà Nội to Ban Mê Thuột and then to Sài Gòn.
Then he left Hong Kong and came again to Vietnam to help Fr. Cuisset in this burden, in a
Vietnam divided between North and South. According to a clause of the 1954 Geneva
Agreement, there should be a general election for the reunification of Vietnam, but fearing
that the Vietminh would break their promise, President Diệm decidedly refused to carry it
out.
Two years later, the French withdrew from Vietnam. Fr. Majcen recalled the story as told
by Fr. Cuisset:
“The last French soldiers and French citizen in Vietnam were present, and this was the
day when their last legion left Vietnam. A serious and sad ceremony took place: the national
anthem was played while the French flag was lowering for the last time from its pole…”
The ceremony marked 90 years of French’s occupation of Vietnam, an occupation that
had robbed Vietnam of its independence although it had also brought about some benefits.
2. The anti -Diệm groups
President Diệm was a dynamic and upright man who was loved by many in Vietnam, by
the Catholics in particular. But he was opposed by those who still missed the French regime,
the Caodaists and politico-religious groups like the Buddhists who had formerly been favored
by the French regime and now were subject to Diệm’s rule. Fr. Majcen was invited to a
dinner at the house of a French legionnaire who was married to Mrs. Xuân, an euro-asian
woman. During the dinner, Mrs. Xuân kept talking about sad things and discontentment…1
Years later, Mrs. Xuân had her son named Adam enter the novitiate in France. He later
became a Salesian of the Paris Province, but after a few years he left the priesthood and
return to his family to help his mother manage a hotel in France.
An episode on the anti-president movement was an assassination plot by the bombing of
the Independence Palace. One day a shaking detonation was heard in Thủ Đức, accompanied
by the roaring of a fighter and then the shooting of machine guns. We saw armed soldiers go
out of their camps and advance to a nearby canal. Later we knew that a young pilot had
bombed the president palace then jumped into a canal that luckily was not very deep.
3. The hopelessness of the Superiors in Hong Kong at the situation in Vietnam
The political situation in Vietnam was not clear, but abroad, the press and the left wing
in particular made propaganda to dramatize it. According to them, Diem’s government could
1 In Fr. Majcen’s words (AM vol. III, 1956-58): “Sono stato inviato alla cena di aiuto da un legionario francese,
che si è sposato con un eurasiana ed anche a Madame Xuân, che parlava durante il pranzo solo di tristezza e
malcontentezza…”
145
|
|
16.4 Page 154 |
▲back to top |
146 Chapter 25: Hopelessness of the Superiors in Hong Kong at the Political Situation in
Vietnam
be counted in days, and the communists would soon be ruler of the country. In Hong Kong,
our Superiors was seriously hit. The Provincial and his council thought it was time to
withdraw all Salesians from Vietnam. But the Salesians themselves in Vietnam had an
opposite assessment. Fr. Mario Acquistapace came, and after gathering the confreres, he
announced that we should sell out our houses, entrust the boys to others and left. All the
confreres were astonished.
Thus Fr. Acquistapace accompanied by Fr. Majcen, Fr. Cuisset and Fr. Generoso went to
discuss the matter with the bishop of Bùi Chu who was currently in Sài Gòn. They were
received by the Seminary’s director who spoke Italian very well. When they said they wanted
to see the bishop, Mgr. Chi and a very close friend of his, Mgr. Lê Hữu Từ, a Cistercian,
appeared.
The bishops attentively listened to Fr. Acquistapace’s presentation and proposal, and to
the great surprise of everybody, they gave a decisive reply. The bishops said they would not
buy our land or houses and that there would be no danger at all. They told us not to believe
the communists’ propaganda abroad: Salesians should not leave Vietnam. And so everything
was decided.
Fr. Generoso was very pleased with this very precious “Portugal apple”, and we
Salesians should thank God for letting us stay in Vietnam.
These decisions also pleased Mgr. Simon Hoà Hiền, Bishop of Sài Gòn, and Mgr. Ngô
Đình Thục, the President’s elder brother. The President himself was always good to us
Salesians.
3. A thank you to Mrs. Cúc, a Chinese from Guangdong
Fr. Generoso had had acquaintance with a rich Chinese woman who wanted to offer a
large plot of land near Thủ Đức for the benefit of poor children. The land was sandy and not
fit for culture, but could be useful to build a school.
Because Fr. Majcen was a provincial delegate, Mrs. Cúc went in a luxury car to Thủ Đức
to see him, and officially offered us the plot near Tam Hà, and another plot in Tam Hải. Fr.
Majcen thanked her for her generous gift, but could not promise her to use it right away for
lack of personnel and funds for the constructions. But Mrs. Cúc said: “Please take the plots
right away, otherwise others would come and might occupy them if they were laid waste.” Fr.
Majcen thought that after a few years, perhaps ten or more years, the land would be very
useful to us.
146
|
|
16.5 Page 155 |
▲back to top |
CHAPTER 26: THE NEXT STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT: ĐA LẠT –
GÒ VẤP — THE VISITS
1. Mgr. Caprio, Apostolic Nuncio, a friend of Fr. Majcen
Mgr. Caprio, the Nuncio, had his residence in the hospital of the Sisters of St. Paul de
Chartres. The climate in Sài Gòn was suffocating for both the Nuncio and Fr. Majcen. But
while the Nuncio lived in an air-conditioned room, Fr. Majcen had only the hot air as his
companion.
The good Mgr. Caprio often called Fr. Majcen in, and in the cool space of his room,
asked Fr. Majcen about things in the North, about our orphans and our plans for the future.
Fr. Majcen was really talkative when dealing with these topics. He talked to Mgr. Caprio
about the boys in Thủ Đức and in Gò Vấp, and especially he emphasized his desire to have a
vacation house in a cool region for the confreres and for a novitiate.
Mgr. Caprio was very much interested in this. One day he told Fr. Majcen: “Why don’t
you buy the Benedictine monastery that is for sale in Đà Lạt?”
Fr. Majcen replied: “Yes, we do, but we don’t have funds.”
“Try to write to Cardinal De Nigris to ask from the Holy See a fund for this. I’ll help
with a recommendation to the Holy See.”
Fr. Majcen accepted Mgr. Caprio’s advice and wrote a letter to Rome, while notifying it
to the Provincial and his Council in Hong Kong. He also contacted Fr. Bernard OSB who still
remained in his monastery in Đà Lạt to watch over it, as other monks had gone to Cambodia
to open a new monastery in a more quiet place. A few days later, Fr. Majcen went to see the
monastery. Fr. Bernard took him to see everywhere in the monastery. The monastery had first
of all a chapel where Fr. Lilière, a MEP, weekly came to say Mass to the faithful who mostly
were French and upper-class Vietnamese Catholics. Near the monastery was the Bảo Đại
Palace which had then become a summer house for President Diệm who used to attend Mass
in the monastery chapel.
Shortly later we got a positive answer from Rome, and then signed the purchase contract
between the Benedictine monastery and the Salesians. Mgr. Caprio handed the money to the
Benedictines. And so the Benedictines definitely moved to Cambodia and erected a new
monastery in a suitable place for prayer.
When the news of the coming of the Salesians reached Đà Lạt, the parish priests of Đà
Lạt church1 was very pleased, hoping the Salesians would build a technical school here.2 All
the Church authorities were pleased with this new presence of the Salesians; only the civil
authorities requested to investigate this location. But President Diệm himself was very
pleased because these Salesians were not of French nationality, but Italian, Yugoslavian,
Brazilian, etc… according to the Salesian principle of an international Congregation that
could not be a danger for social security. Since then no one would object anymore.
After the monastery purchase was completed, Fr. Mario appointed the staff for the years
1956-60. Bro. Nardin became gardener, aided by some bigger boys from Sài Gòn who did not
want to work but were not troublemakers. Bro. Nardin reorganized the rabbit hutch, while Fr.
1 Now Cathedral of Đà Lạt diocese.
2 Actually, it was the Lasalle Brothers, not the Salesians, who later realized this dream.
147
|
|
16.6 Page 156 |
▲back to top |
148 Chapter 26: Next Stage of Development: Đà Lạt – Gò Vấp — The Visits
Cuisset dismissed the gatekeeper for being a communist suspect, after giving him a large
amount of money. We also hired a very good cook who greatly pleased Fr. Musso.
The MEP priest continued to say Mass here every Sunday. Fr. Musso (Cha Mai) said
Mass every Sunday in Trạm Hành where the Sisters Lovers of the Cross kept watch over a
small church with a community of the local Catholics. Fr. Musso said Mass in Vietnamese
with a Shiuchow accent which was unintelligible for the Vietnamese people.
The confreres from Thủ Đức and Gò Vấp occasionally came to the monastery for their
vacation or spiritual retreat. The first spiritual retreat was done in French with a Redemptorist
preacher and the participants were Fr. Majcen, Fr. Musso and Bros. Borri, Lục, and Nardin,
of whom only Fr. Majcen could understand French.
A car accident
Fr. Majcen used to go to Đà Lạt every month in a car driven by an Salesian aspirant
named Thuỳ. It was a very long journey (300 kilometers) and the heat made it very tiring.
One day when getting across a montagnard village, the driver became drowsy and hit a
montagnard who was zigzagging on his bike: the montagnard hit his head against the
windshield. The police came while Fr. Majcen took the injured to hospital. The injury was
minor while before the judge the montagnard asked for a very big compensation. However,
Fr. Cuisset’s intervention with the police had helped to reduce the compensation to a
reasonable amount which nevertheless was still too much for Fr. Majcen’s poor finance.
2. Fr. Luvisotto to take care of the Đà Lạt Monastery
Fr. Luvisotto who had been sent from Don Bosco School in Macao to Thủ Đức was a
practical man and very suitable for the care of this house. In the school year 1957-58 he was
sent to Đà Lạt to replace Fr. Musso who was sent to Thủ Đức. In Đà Lạt, Fr. Lusisotto started
to put everything in place. He was less patient than Bro. Nardin, and wanted to avoid every
useless expense, he dismissed all the boys who had come from Gò Vấp for their idleness. He
supplied them with some money to earn their own living. But the consequence was that he
had to apply to himself his own saying: “He who does something by himself has to do the
work of three.”
3. Trạm Hành
Madame Lelière, a good Eurasian woman who lived near Thủ Đức house, had a large
plot of land in Trạm Hành, 28 km from Đà Lạt. There she had a big house and six small and
pretty villas which she currently leased to Saigonese on their summer vacations. The land had
repeatedly been occupied by the Japanese, the communists, then Bảo Đại emperor and the
nationalists, leading to heavy damage. She wanted to sell it and proposed it to Fr. Majcen and
Fr. Cuisset. They came and saw it very suitable for a retreat house and novitiate, but they
couldn’t find any fund for it. Madame Lelière still insisted them to take the land for their use,
believing that sooner or later they would buy it, and her belief became true. Fr. Majcen
accepted her proposal and sent his confrere to watch over it. In addition to the house and the
villas, there was a spacious area around that could be used as playground and recreation
space. Not far away there were two parishes: the Phát Chi for Northern refugees and the C ầu
Đất for local Catholics. Both parishes were currently taken care by the Sisters Lovers of the
148
|
|
16.7 Page 157 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 26: Next Stage of Development: Đà Lạt - Gò Vấp — The Visits 149
Cross who were involved in catechism teaching. There were also two tea plantations from
which tea leaves were brought to Sài Gòn for sale and from Sài Gòn it was transported to
India where it would be processed to become the lipton tea with an Indian trade mark.
4. Enlargement of the Gò Vấp plot
As said above, the Gò Vấp works had been started as early as in the 1954 exodus from
the North, with the care for bigger boys from the Theresa Orphanage from Hà Nội. This was
later enlarged by Fr. Cuisset and sponsored by the Lyon Pen Club to include the Lyon works
whose beneficiaries were the young criminals taken out from Chí Hoà prison. Then when
opportunity arose for us to buy more land from the Gò Vấp railway station, we decided to
resell the two plots we had previously bought: the first was the Benedictine monastery in Đà
Lạt and the second was Mrs. Carrée’s plot in Thủ Đức.
The resale of the Benedictine monastery in Đà Lạt
The monastery we had bought in Đà Lạt was in a very beautiful location but not suitable
for the formation needs of our Congregation. We therefore decided to resell it to have a fund
to buy a large garage in Gò Vấp. It was Mgr. Caprio who suggested us to sell the monastery
to the Franciscan Missionary Sisters. The sale contract was signed on April 24 1958, and with
the money from this sale, Fr. Cuisset could pay to the Director of the Gò Vấp bus station and
garage and acquired ownership of this land on May 1. Of course Mgr. Caprio was very
pleased with this deal as was Fr. Majcen because he had bought the monastery at the cost of
1,000,000 dong while he resold it for 1,200,000. But what was still happier was that we now
had a more spacious land, opening a new prospect for a Salesian Don Bosco Technical
School in Gò Vấp, Sài Gòn. As for Fr. Luvisotto and Bro. Nardin, they handed the monastery
in Đà Lạt to the Sisters then came back to Thủ Đức.
The sale of Mrs. Carrée’s plot in Thủ Đức
As mentioned, we Salesians had in Thủ Đức a plot bought from Mrs. Carrée, a
benefactor of ours. But we had never come to that plot because it had been useded by the
Army of the Republic of Vietnam for a shooting ground. When the soldiers left, we decided
to sell it immediately. Providence sent us the Jesuits who were looking for a location to settle
and open their novitiate.
The plot was sold and we used the money to build the Technical School in Gò Vấp on
the plot that had been enlarged after our purchase of the bus station and the garage.
5. A visit to Kontum - Ban Mê Thuột
Kontum
Fr. Faugère occasionally went to Sài Gòn to buy food. One day, he invited Fr. Majcen to
accompany him to Kontum. Mgr. Seitz’s had a desire to establish a past pupils association in
Ban Mê Thuột for the orphans who had come from Hà Nội to later have a relationship with
the future Salesian pupils. Fr. Faugère’s jeep took Fr. Majcen through a 14 hour drive to a
region inhabited mostly by the ethnic peoples. Centuries ago, when the more civilized people
went deeper into this region to reclaim virgin land, the ethnic peoples withdrew to the
highlands to maintain their primitive life. They were humble and quiet people who disliked
all troubles and hated living with other peoples. The evangelization to these peoples were
very difficult because of their nomadic life, and especially because of their customs that were
not very congruent with Christian life.
|
|
16.8 Page 158 |
▲back to top |
150 Chapter 26: Next Stage of Development: Đà Lạt – Gò Vấp — The Visits
Their beliefs included a vague concept of creation, of the primitive man, and of the
deluge, which was presented in a legendary or mythical way. Sometimes they had a
penitential rite in which they confessed their sins, even the hidden and shameful ones, and
then made reparation by sacrificing a calf or a sheep.
In a region bordering three countries
When they arrived in the region bordering Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, Fr. Majcen and
Fr. Faugère stopped to look at the trails crossing the forests and leading to the elephants’
country (Vientiane) and to the Angkor Wat, vestiges of very ancient civilizations. In this
region, the Vietnamese refugees cultivated plantations of coffee, tea and industrial plants. At
that time, no one was aware of the fact that not far from there, the communist had made the
famous Ho Chi Minh trail, a route for the transport of the weapons and ammunitions during
the atrocious Vietnam war. In this strategic region, President Diệm had begun to have the
Quảng Đức City built where he repeatedly called on the Salesians to open a school: a desire
that we could not satisfy for lack of personnel.
Ban Mê Thuột
Upon their arrival in Ban Mê Thuột (BMT), Fr. Majcen noticed the many changes
effected since 1954. In that night, about 60 Hà Nội past pupils came to greet him. They
belonged to the group entrusted to Fr. Faugère by Fr. Cuisset before the latter went to Sài
Gòn.
Because they had learned a trade in the workshops of the RVN Army, they now had a
status in their lives. Great was the joy of the meeting that day. Fr. Majcen was happy to see
that they behaved much better than the troublemakers in Gò Vấp.
The Past Pupils Association
On the next day, Mgr. Seitz came to Ban Mê Thuột for the formation of the Past Pupils
Association with a view to creating a link between the Northern and Southern past pupils. Fr.
Majcen presented an image of a Past Pupils Association: what it should be like, what
activities and meetings it should have. The present past pupils here only intended to have a
friendly association of mutual help in difficult situations. Fr. Majcen instead suggested that
the Past Pupils Association should aim at continuing Don Bosco’s pedagogical system in
society. A compromise was reached at the end: There would be a general meeting during the
Tết to fix a date for an annual meeting and monthly meetings for an exercise of happy death.
A visit to Kontum
Mgr. Seitz invited Fr. Majcen to visit his Kontum Diocese where there had been a
seminary for the Vietnamese and a new secondary school run by the Lasalle Brothers for the
Banar children, a more advanced ethnic group among the other ethnics. Fr. Majcen was very
happy to meet Fr. Vacher who was always busy with his contructions. Mgr. Seitz told Fr.
Majcen that the roads here were not very safe, because the Vietminh had withdrawn into the
forests nearby, after the Vietnam partition event. During this trip, Fr. Majcen observed many
villages with bamboo huts. It was there that the village’s young men and women came to pass
their night. A Banar village chief kept guard and alerted them whenever the elephants came.
150
|
|
16.9 Page 159 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 26: Next Stage of Development: Đà Lạt - Gò Vấp — The Visits 151
At the alert, the young men and women shouted and made noise to drive them away. On this
occasion, Fr. Majcen also met Mr. Thường, an old catechist from Hà Nội who currently ran a
printing shop to publish catechism books in Banar. Fr. Majcen also visited a leprosarium
where there was a pretty chapel to provide the patients with Jesus’s consolation.
He saw many interesting things during this trip, and when he returned to Sài Gòn, he was
very enthusiastic after having witnessed the missionaries’ lives and being enriched by their
missionary experiences.
The Past Pupils Movement
The Past Pupils Movement launched in the BMT meeting began to develop and
continued to exist until present. In 1957, during the Tết, a general meeting of the past pupils
of Ban Mê Thuột and Thủ Đức in the presence of the assistants of Thủ Đức and Gò Vấp
houses. Among participants were also the past pupils who were studying at university. In the
meeting Mgr. Seitz highlighted his idea that the members should commit themselves to
mutual help in difficult moments such as unemployment, unhappiness, and in the events in
their lives that needed extraordinary expenses such as weddings or funerals. There emerged
also an idea about a past pupils’ village. Fr. Majcen was not against such ideas, but
emphasized the association’s purpose and need of not only for mutual help but also allegiance
to the Association’s statute and the leadership of a President freely elected. As a result, Mr.
Chuyên, a sewing shop head, was elected president, aided by a secretary and a treasurer.
In 1958 there was an important meeting of the Hà Nội past pupils in the presence of Mgr.
Seitz, Fr. Faugère, and Teacher Khắc, secretary of the former Hà Nội Christ the King City. In
addition, there were also Fr. Majcen, Fr. Cuisset, Fr. Generoso and Bro. Borri. Past pupils
came from everywhere. Mgr. Seitz spoke of the need of unity to help each other in their piety
and their living Don Bosco’s spirit. After lively discussions on various matters, it was
decided to invite Mr. Hảo, a lawyer, and Teacher Khắc, the former secretary, to elaborate a
statute of the association and to present to the meeting the following year. For the time being,
the Association’s executive board would meet once a month in Thủ Đức. It was also decided
to issue a monthly bulletin called Trúc Lâm to supply the members with information on the
Association and also to remind of the former Trúc Lâm Villa in Hà Nội Christ the King City.
|
|
16.10 Page 160 |
▲back to top |
CHAPTER 27: FR. MAJCEN’S CHERISHED INITIATIVES THROUGH
20 YEARS IN VIETNAM
This is the missionary ideal of the first Salesian missionary group that was presented
alive in us “with the conviction of hope against all hope”1, based on the presence of Mary
Help of Christians. It was the missionary ideal that Fr. Majcen had in his heart and he shared
it to Fr. Cuisset, Fr. Mario, Fr. Stra, Mgr. Seitz, Fr. Generoso, Bro. Borri and other
missionaries.
Under a few headings below, I’ll present some of the initiatives that has become our
Salesian stigma through 20 years and up to present. Perhaps I will reiterate them in my
autobiography to present them clearer and better. We’ll speak of our failures and successes as
consequences of our efforts.
1. The Salesian Cooperators in Vietnam
Mrs. Carrée was our first Cooperator with a Cooperator Certificate granted by the Rector
Major. Fr. Cuisset asked me to write a brief statute for the Salesian Cooperators, illustrated
by a few stories on the great Cooperators in the world. I wrote them with the help of Mr.
Dũng, my Vietnamese teacher. Fr. Cuisset had the booklet beautifully printed.
Some bulletins also printed the content of this 3rd Salesian Family which I had written.
But after my vacation leave in 1958, Fr. Mario or probably some others abandoned this idea
indefinitely.2
Fr. Cappelletti’s idea on the Cooperators in USA developed the aim of helping poor
children in the form of the godparents.
Throughout 22 years (1954-1976)3, I had received a very big amount of money from
them. But I had to maintain a continuous correspondence in English and Vietnamese between
the beneficiaries and the cooperators. Fr. Bellido also did this work for the Salesian aspirants.
This kind of correspondence was also maintained with the Spanish cooperators.
2. The idea on the Past Pupils Association
Mgr. Seitz himself promoted this idea. He invited me to come to Ban Mê Thuột for a
meeting with the past pupils who had come from Hà Nội. From this emerged the Past Pupils
Association which was recognized by the government and which met annually under the
presidency of lawyer Hồ and Dr. Quát. These two also attended the World Conference of the
past pupils. Bro. Bullo4 had developed this work very well and which brought in financial
support from the Association.
3. The Association of the Devotees of Mary Help of Christians
Fr. Ziggiotti, Rector Major, promoted the Association of the Devotees of Mary Help of
Christians and I asked that Vietnam be registered as a member. But with my new obedience
letter in 1958, this initiative withered and died. Fr. Mario, a charismatic man for the devotion
to Mary Help of Christians, helped to propagate the devotion to Mary Help of Christians
1 “Contra spem in spem credidi.”
2 Don Mario, e forse altri abbandonano la idea sine die…
3 The time Fr. Majcen lived and worked in VN.
4 Now working in Ethiopia.
152
|
|
17 Pages 161-170 |
▲back to top |
|
|
17.1 Page 161 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 27: Fr. Majcen’s Cherished Initiatives through 20 Years in Vietnam 153
everywhere. But this devotion had a popular and individual character and was only suitable
where there was the Salesians’ presence.
4. The Organization for the help of young delinquents
The Christ the King Boys Town in Hà Nội had been an organization of this kind, and it
was restructured in the South to become an organization for the service of poor but good
children, and we should manage it according to the preventive system. Fr. Cuisset
experienced this hot problem in the organization of his Lyon boys, a kind of rehabilitation in
a quarter of Don Bosco Gò Vấp. Because it was a too complicate work for us Salesian, our
Superiors had abandoned it, and I and Fr. King had to continue the education for the last 20
Lyon boys in Trạm Hành.
Nevertheless, the desire of helping young delinquents remained still alive in our minds…
I attempted to have our aspirants organize catechism classes and activities—a kind of
Oratory—to these poor boys in Thủ Đức, and Fr. Massimino did the same for the young
inmates in Đà Lạt. Other initiatives were also interested by the government.
5. Help for political prisoners, drugs traffickers and thiefs
Later, when Fr. Mario was a provincial delegate, he also frequently visited the prisoners.
The aspirants also volunteered to organize activities and entertainments in the prisons,
especially for the young delinquent, especially under the guidance of Fr. Hiên, Fr. Cho…
Once, they even managed to successfully organize a one day excursion for the young
prisoners of Thủ Đức with a lunch, snacks and other entertainments…
Fr. Majcen never forgot to encourage these activities by giving concrete supports. Of
course due to our financial difficulties, the supports could not be regular, but whenever the
condition permitted, he always afforded to help, for example, Fr. Donders (Cha Độ) with his
street boys, Fr. Aarts (Cha An) with the elderly and the sick, and Fr. De Meulenaer(Cha
Ngọc) to help those families repair their houses damaged by bombs.
These were some distinguished concerns that I and the Salesians had done in Vietnam
during war time. On the other hand, as a rector and later as a novice master, I also tried to
form my novices and future Salesians to prepare themselves for the service of their
countrymen and for the reconstruction of their country.
6. Restructuring the whole Salesian Works in Vietnam in 1958
Two years had passed in the midst of worries about the dangers and crises that
questioned the very existence of our works. Two years during which we had been trying to
find out a way to serve the young, or at least a way to identify ourselves and to get Salesian
candidates… and above all, to find a land on which we could do our service. Fr. Cuisset was
the precious man who could find those who wanted to sell their properties (actually they were
French who were going to leave Vietnam, their old colony). I and he had bought the
monastery in Đà Lạt (1956), then sold it (1958), received Mrs. Carrée plot (1958) then sold it,
and finally bought a very good plot in Trạm Hành for our novitiate.
Fr. Mario, Fr. Generoso, Fr. Cuisset and Fr. Majcen had a meeting of the provincial
delegation council to discuss the restructuring of our Salesian work for the future.
— The Thủ Đức house was to be an aspirantate with a chapel and a school and we would
continue to receive catholic boys who might show a clear religious vocation.
|
|
17.2 Page 162 |
▲back to top |
154 Chapter 27: Fr. Majcen’s Cherished Initiatives through 20 Years in Vietnam
— The Gò Vấp house was to be a trade school and an orphanage for the orphans from
Hà Nội and for the apprentices.
— The Novitiate in Trạm Hành for prospective Salesian novices.
— There would be a studentate of theology in Đà Lạt, even a Pontifical Atheneum, a
long time dream that even now we were not ready for it.
Fr. Majcen was entrusted to present all this to Mgr. Simon Hoà Hiền of Sài Gòn, and to
ask his blessing as well as a rescript to make the Thủ Đức and Gò Vấp houses canonically
religious houses after Gò Vấp was split from Thủ Đức house.
While the General Chapter 1958 was in its preparation stage, Fr. Majcen presented to his
Provincial his case of 25 years far away from his country and his aged mother who was going
to die, as well as his disturbing health because of physical and mental toil. As a result, Fr.
Mario gave him permission to go to his home country. In the meanwhile the Provincial made
necessary decisions regarding personnel, by sending more confreres and presenting to the
Superiors, to Fr. Fredrigotti in particular, a more precise vision about the works and the
perspectives.
At the beginning of the Oratory, Don Bosco said trees should be replanted in order to
thrive. In the same way, the Hà Nội works had had to be reorganized fourteen times before it
was settled in the Christ the King City or the Theresa Orphanage. Then it was replanted in
Thủ Đức, Gò Vấp, and then Đà Lạt. Finally it was definitely settled in 1958 as we have just
said. But since 1975, it had again been replanted in 14 different locations. Indeed, the
Salesian Works in Vietnam was like Don Bosco’s tree, repeatedly to be moved and replanted
here and there. Jesus and Mary Most Holy do not need a fixed location. Of course benefactors
and money were all temporarily useful and necessary. But God and Mary wanted us to
develop and transmit Don Bosco’s spirit. Whoever believes in the Providence can realize that
Don Bosco’s spirit planted in Vietnam has continually developed, has become purified and
invigorated. We must really be grateful to the most holy Mary Immaculate and Help of
Christians.
7. Better identification of the functions of Thủ Đức and Gò Vấp houses
In 1958, the functions of the two houses of Thủ Đức and Gò Vấp were better identified.
Don Bosco Gò Vấp was a trade school under the Social Department, and included the
final elementary grades (grade 4 and 5), the lower secondary grades, and trade classes. The
school was subsidized by the Social Department, and intended to become a technical school.
Don Bosco Thủ Đức became an aspirantate, and was a lower secondary school in the
government education system. It was intended to develop to a higher secondary school. In the
beginning, the number of the aspirants rose to 60. We sent 4 of our aspirants who followed
the French program in the Mossard school, 26 bigger aspirants to the Bắc Ninh seminary, and
the remaining 30 studied at home. All of them attended common conferences, participated in
the pious associations (‘compagnies’) like the Mary Immaculate, the Blessed Sacrament and
the Altar Servers… These ‘compagnies’ were very useful for their formation.
There had been some difficulty in obtaining the recognition from the Sài Gòn Education
Department because the name Don Bosco was still very new and strange to Vietnam. But
154
|
|
17.3 Page 163 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 27: Fr. Majcen’s Cherished Initiatives through 20 Years in Vietnam 155
after having enough information, the Department agreed to acknowledge this name and Don
Bosco would be used for the name of other new Salesian establishments in the future.
In principle, the school’s principal must be approved by government. Up to that moment
the government had never questioned who was responsible as a principal of our school.
Actually only Fr. Generoso had been running the school, aided by some bigger pupils in the
role of ‘monitors’ and teachers. We had asked the Lasalle Provincial to let Bro. Lucien to be
our nominal principal, and because Fr. Majcen was a confessor for the Lasalle Brothers, they
were very pleased to help us Salesians in this respect, until 1964 when the first Salesian
priest, Fr. Isidore Lê Hướng, was acknowledged by the government as the principal of our
two schools of Thủ Đức and Gò Vấp.
8. On the mi l itary servi ce
Military service was obligatory for all 18 year old young men, unless they had finished
grade 12 and went on to university. Exemption was granted for the unique son in a family and
for the religious so that they could go on with their studies. For this reason several young men
applied for admission in the aspirantate without having made a good vocation discernment.
9. On the personnel
The personnel was the most important problem, especially in Gò Vấp. In addition to Fr.
Cuisset and Bro. Mario Lục who were practical men and who could manage almost
anything5, there were Fr. Luvisotto and Bro. Nardin to take care of the general matters. Then
there were the clerics Stra and Donders, and the Bros. De Grott and De Marchi as workshops’
heads. Fr. Majcen who was concerned with the personnel matter always said that it was not
enough to have a place; we needed executives and technical agents. He insisted to have more
missionaries for Vietnam, even Chinese missionaries, because these could adapt themselves
learn Vietnamese more easily.
10. Fr. Majcen’s preparations before his return to his country
Being aware that foreigners could not be legal owners of proprieties, Fr. Majcen went to
the President Palace to meet Mr. Hay, the president’s secretary and the bishop of Vĩnh Long,
Mgr. Thục, the President’s brother. He received their promises but not very clear. Mgr. Thục
preferred the FMA to take care of delinquent girls. For this purpose, Fr. Majcen suggested to
the bishop to ask for the Good Shepherd Sisters whom Fr. Tohill had talked about in 1954.
On May 2 1958, Fr. Majcen went to see Mgr. Simon Hoà Hiền, bishop of Sài Gòn, to
apply for a canonical erection of a religious house. The bishop immediately agreed and made
the necessary procedures with Rome. Thus the permission for the erection of the religious
house arrived on December 28 1958 for the Gò Vấp house.
Fr. Majcen also went to St. Paul Hospital to take some medicines for his journey that
comprised the medicines for his rheumatism, toothache, exhaustion, headache, stomachache,
etc… And Sr. Francesca led him to Nuncio Caprio’s office to report on the Salesian situation.
In the meanwhile, Fr. Mario also wrote recommendation letters to the places where Fr.
Majcen would stay in Europe for a rest, asking the rectors of the places to help him. Fr.
Cuisset bought his ticket Sài Gòn – Rome from the Air France and begged Fr. Majcen to
come to see his father in Northern France and to see some of his relatives in Bordeaux.
5 “Factotum pratico”.
|
|
17.4 Page 164 |
▲back to top |
156 Chapter 27: Fr. Majcen’s Cherished Initiatives through 20 Years in Vietnam
On May 18 1958, Fr. Majcen bid farewell to everybody while giving them the blessing
of Mary Help of Christians and a “see you soon.”
156
|
|
17.5 Page 165 |
▲back to top |
CHAPTER 28: FR. MAJCEN’S TRIP TO EUROPE:
MAY 1958 — MAY 1959
A trip to Europe
With the Provincial’s permission, Fr. Majcen quickly packed his luggage to go back to
Europe. He went to bid farewell to Mgr. Simon Hoà Hiền and to ask for his consent to have
the Gò Vấp house canonically erected as a religious house entirely independent from the Thủ
Đức house. The bishop agreed and wrote to Rome, resulting in the rescript dated December
28 1958 from Rome. Mgr. Caprio granted him a Vatican passport to facilitate his trips. He
went to St. Paul hospital to take some medicines needed for his journey.
The Provincial appointed Fr. Generoso as rector of Thủ Đức and Fr. Cuisset as economer
and rector of Gò Vấp. In addition, Fr. Mario also wrote recommendation letters to the
superiors and rectors of the places where Fr. Majcen would come. And Fr. Cuisset had
bought flight tickets for him.
The journey Sài Gòn – Rome – Turin
With the farewell of the confreres at the airport, Fr. Majcen departed for his country to
see his old mother (80 year old), celebrate the 25th anniversary of his priesthood, visit his
relatives and especially restore his health. This was his first return to his homeland after 23
years away during which he chiefly lived in China and Vietnam amid tremendous sufferings
due to wars.
Upon arriving at the airport in Rome, he took a bus to the central railway station and
went straight to the Sacred Heart School nearby. It was late at night, luckily Father Rector
was still in his office. He went out to greet him warmly. In the next morning he said Mass in
the Sacred Heart Church, on the very altar that Don Bosco had celebrated Mass in tears in
1886. Fr. Majcen was very moved in saying Mass here, thanking God and Mary Help of
Christians for so many graces he received through 23 years of missions.
He visited St. Peter’s Basilica. Standing in front of St. Peter’s statue with the inscription
“Tu es Petrus”, he pledged his allegiance to the Pope. Thus he could see Pope Pius XII whose
voice he used to hear so frequently on radio. Pius XII appeared very old, pale and exhausted.
In fact, a few months later, his death was announced on the radio.
He also visited the catacombs. It was here that the thoughts on the martyrs of Rome took
him to the martyrs of Vietnam, the martyrs with or without blood in China and Vietnam,
including Mgr. Versiglia and Fr. Caravario, Fr. Simon Liang, a collaborator of his in
Kunming. He thought of Fr. Barnaba Lee who was the first Salesian vocation he had raised in
the aspirantate in Yunnan. In St. Callisto’s catacomb, he was honored to see Fr. Ricaldone,
Fr. Battezzati and Mr. Doldi who were his old friends in China. A Yugoslavian confrere
working at the catacomb gave him the joy of staying for a few days at San Callisto and
enjoying the pine trees shadows.
With a recommendation letter of the Dominicans in Sài Gòn, he was greeted by the
Superior of the St. Sabina Dominican monastery in Rome and was guided to visit the
historical events of this monastery. The monastery’s superior guided him along the corridor
where St. Thomas used to walk while meditating on the realities he expounded in his Summa
Theologica. He also led him into the chapel and the room where the Saint Pope Pius V had
lived. He also saw there the picture of the Lepanto’s victory and the vision in which the pope
157
|
|
17.6 Page 166 |
▲back to top |
158 Chapter 28: Fr. Majcen’s Trip to Europe: May 1958 - May 1959
saw the Catholic legion’s victory. Then the superior led him into a garden from which he
could see the dome of St. Peter’s from afar.
In Turin
Fr. Majcen came to Turin by train. At the exit of the Turin station, the porter remarked:
“He is truly a Salesian missionary, because only the Salesian missionaries carry so heavy a
trunk!”
At the station he met Bro. Da Roit, a secretary of the Itinerary Office, together with Fr.
Tatjak, a Slovenian, who were waiting for him. Fr. Majcen followed them to Turin. When
they came in front of the Mary Help of Christians Basilica, Bro. Da Roit said: “You two
please come in to greet Mary and Don Bosco; all the rest let me manage.”
Entering the basilica, Fr. Majcen was moved to tears. He thanked Mary and Don Bosco,
then turned to the altars of St. Mazzarello and Savio to pray.
Coming to Valdocco, he met the Superiors of the Superior Council: he first met the
Rector Major, Fr. Renato Ziggiotti, talking with him for a long time to report on the situation
in Vietnam. Then Fr. Fredrigotti kept him there and had him tell about the Salesian works in
Vietnam in the difficult conditions, especially the lack of personnel. Fr. Bellido recalled his
visit in China in 1949, and introduced him to Fr. Antal to know how to behave when he
would come back to Yugoslavia. Being a Hungarian, Fr. Antal was well informed about the
situation of his country under the communist regime, just as Fr. Majcen had himself
experienced in Kunming. Mgr. Arduino, who was then rector of the Mary Help of Christians
Basilica, received him very warmly. The two talked, laughed and recalled their trip from
Hong Kong to Shanghai when they greatly suffered by sea-sick. They also called to mind Fr.
Geder, a missionary and vicar general of Shiuchow diocese. The bishop told Fr. Majcen he
intended to go to Hong Kong in 1959 to deal with the problems of his diocese.
From Foglizzo to Becchi
Fr. Majcen went to Foglizzo to see his old friend, Fr. Vode, a Slovenian, and to learn
how to behave when he would come back to his country. Through Fr. Vode, Fr. Majcen could
be informed of the news and situation of his confreres in Ljubljana as well as his mother’s
health who was in Brezice. The two friends talked about the bulletin of the Slovenian
Salesians through which Fr. Vode was linked with the Slovenian confreres in the country and
abroad. Fr. Vode showed him the chapel that had been blessed by Fr. Rua and dedicated to
the Archangel Michael beautifully presented on a picture in the act of threading the
aggressive Lucifer.
Fr. Vode took him on a trip to Becchi where they were invited by the rector of the Becchi
house to have a lunch where there was the presence of Bro. Beve, a veteran missionary in
Thailand and was currently responsible for the missionary salon in Becchi.
But the central point of Fr. Majcen’s visit was the small house of Don Bosco in Becchi,
where he celebrated a Mass with great devotion and emotion. He also went to Mondonio to
visit the house where Dominic Savio, one of Fr. Majcen’s favorite saint, died.
158
|
|
17.7 Page 167 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 28: Fr. Majcen’s Trip to Europe: May 1958 - May 1959 159
On his way home
Then from Turin, Fr. Majcen went to Trieste. He stopped in Trieste to see the confreres
working in the Mary Help of Christians Basilica, among whom was Fr. Suhec, a Slovenian
refugee, who was currently parish priest of Dolina of which most of the parishioners were
Slovenian refugees. Not granted a transit visa to enter Yugoslavia, Fr. Majcen had to come
back to Milan to see the consul who eventually gave him a permit for a 2 month stay in his
home country.
Fr. Majcen’s stay in his homeland until August 18 1958
Keeping the custom of the time, Fr. Majcen in his cassock was on the train with the
ticket he had bought from Italy. Upon his arrival in Sezena, he was closely investigated by
the security for two hours. Then he was again arrested and investigated at the Postojne
station, and this time the investigation was even longer and more complicated. It reminded
him of the investigations he had undergone in Kunming a few decades ago. After about two
hours, he was released. When he arrived at the Ljubljana station, it was already late in the
evening. He met Fr. Jarcak, an old friend of his and who was currently a Salesian rector in
Rakovnik. This Fr. Jarcak had once got a death sentence but his sentence had later been
reduced to 8 years of force labor. After getting out of prison, he became a Salesian rector
while his co-prisoner, Fr. Vovk, became a bishop.
The reunion with his mother
After a three day stay in Ljubljana, Fr. Majcen took a train to Brezice to see his mother.
Imagine what happiness he had when he saw his mother and his sister Marica after years
away. His sister led him to see his mother’s house where she had been working for the town
court. In their conversations, he told what had happened to him, then his mother and sisters
also told what had happened to them when they were in Kirsko and when the Germans
moved them to Serbia and other places. His mother, sister and his father had had to hide
themselves from one place to another until they could find a safe refuge. They also told him
how his brother-in-law, his sister Milka’s husband, had escaped from Hitler’s concentration
camp and survived.
There Fr. Majcen went to the parish church to say Mass everyday and had opportunity to
talk with the parish priest. The parish priest told him how he had had to fight based on the
law to keep the Church’s properties, and he had succeeded by a firm and calm behavior,
while other priests, including the Salesians, had been imprisoned for at least a few months
because of their careless words.
A familial party
His mother gathered all her relatives to have a familial feast, including his sister Milka’s
husband and their children. All were immensely happy and they posed for souvenir photos.
Fr. Majcen invited everybody to come to Rakovnik to attend the silver jubilee of his
priesthood on July 2, but they had to refuse it because they were afraid that by attending his
Mass, they would lose their job. Only his mother, his sisters and some elderly people
promised to come.
His silver jubilee of priesthood
Fr. Majcen’s sacerdotal silver jubilee was wonderfully prepared by a friend of Fr.
Majcen, Fr. Jurcek, together with Fr. Konstajevec and Fr. Pusnik: the numerous fervent altar
|
|
17.8 Page 168 |
▲back to top |
160 Chapter 28: Fr. Majcen’s Trip to Europe: May 1958 - May 1959
servers in pretty costume; the smart choir who sang beautifully; and the community of
devoted faithful who crowded the large church and who communicated in great number. Fr.
Majcen’s mother was so filled with happiness that she appeared to have long waited to see
this day before she could sing the “Nunc dimittis”. Among the attendants were some nuns
who had been working with him in Chaotung, in a hospital of Mgr. Kerec. Upon returning to
their country, these nuns continued to serve as nurses to take care of the tuberculosis patients
before they were dismissed by the government.
These nuns arranged for a driver to take him on a tour of Slovenia. He also visited the
parishes served by the Salesians. As they could not run the schools, the Salesians assumed the
care of about 40 parishes in Slovenia and Croatia. Fr. Majcen also went to Zagabia to see a
friend of his, Fr. Pavcic, who became the first Salesian Provincial of the Croatia Province
when it split from the Ljubljana Province.
After the tour, Fr. Majcen went back to have quiet days with his mother during which he
also accompanied his mother to Kirsco where he had passed his twenty first years in life. He
visited the graves of his father, his little brother Zoran, and his grandparents. Then he went to
Maribor to celebrate a Mass in the church where he received baptism. And together with his
mother he celebrated the feast of Assumption. It was in those days that the Salesian General
Chapter ended in Turin.
Important decisions
A few days later, he bid farewell to his mother and departed for Turin to see the Superior
Councilors and Fr. Mario Acquistapace. Fr. Mario himself came to me saying: “Have you got
the news? I’m no more Provincial. Our new Provincial is Fr. Bernard Tohill in Hong Kong…
What shall I do now?” Fr. Majcen answered right away: “You may go to Vietnam and
replace me as Provincial delegate so that I can more easily take care of the future novices.”
Fr. Mario went out, and after some reflections he turned back saying: “Please suggest to Fr.
Ziggiotti about this replacement.” He went out and then turned back again asking me: “Why
haven’t you gone?” and he appeared very worried. Thus Fr. Majcen went to the Rector Major
who warmly received him and asked him what he wanted. Fr. Majcen said: “I would like that
Fr. Mario assume my position as a Provincial delegate now that he has ended his Provincial
term.” “What do you say?” asked the Rector Major in astonishment. In the meanwhile Fr.
Mario who has been outside has heard everything. He entered and told the Rector Major his
wish. But before giving his consent, Fr. Ziggiotti asked: “What about Fr. Majcen?” Fr. Mario
answered right away: “He could be a novice master for the future novices in Vietnam.” The
idea of a future novitiate for Vietnam seemed to be most persuasive, and so the Rector Major
consented: Fr. Mario Acquistapace would be a Provincial Delegate for Vietnam while Fr.
Majcen would be a novice master.
Fr. Majcen as novice master
News on Fr. Majcen being a novice master was quickly diffused and Don Antal, the
Catechist General, called him in to give necessary instructions. Fr. Antal said: “In fact there
aren’t any prescriptions for the formation of novices. Experience is most important.” He
suggested him to consult experienced novice masters, such as, among others, Fr. Siri at the
novitiate Villa Moglia near Chieri, or Fr. Giorgié at Lanuvio near Rome, or Fr. Natigel at the
160
|
|
17.9 Page 169 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 28: Fr. Majcen’s Trip to Europe: May 1958 - May 1959 161
Navarre novitiate near Toulon, in France. Fr. Antal added: “Good health is also very
important.” And so he told Fr. Majcen to have some rest in Val d’Aosta where there was a
vacation house for the theology students at the Crocetta studentate, Turin. While he was
staying with the theologians there, he had an opportunity to know better about the
Piedmontese region in Italy.
A visit to Bollengo studentate
Fr. Majcen went to the Bollengo studentate near the Ivrea studentate, to see the Chinese
and Vietnamese students there. He talked long with a former Kunming pupils of his, Bro.
Bosco Cheu Wei Sin. He recommended to the Rector a Vietnamese cleric named Isidore Lê
Hướng who had made his novitiate in the Philippines. Bro. Lê Hướng promised to translate
into Vietnamese the famous and very useful book entitled “Vade Mecum” of Fr. Barberis.
Later, another Vietnamese brother named Joseph Đinh Xuân Hiên would also study in this
studentate. At Fr. Majcen’s return to Turin, Fr. Antal saw that his health had not yet fully
recovered, he sent him to have more rest at the Ivrea studentate where the first Slovenian
Salesians had studied.
Going to France
When Fr. Majcen was at Ivrea, Fr. Cuisset sent a telegram asking him to go to Nice,
France, to take two Vietnamese aspirants to La Navarre to make their novitiate there. When
he came to Nice, he asked for the Don Bosco School but nobody could show him. At last, a
monsieur approached him saying: “Wouldn’t you go to Don Bosco-Nice? It’s near here.”
And he showed him the way. Arriving at Nice, he was very tired and sat on his luggage,
waiting to see the Rector. And the Rector went out to greet him. Knowing that he was
exhausted, the Rector offered him a French wine and a good dinner before he had a good
sleep in a very comfortable room. On the next day, the two Vietnamese aspirants came to
greet him. They spoke French quite fluently.
On the following day he and the two Vietnamese came to visit the Salesian studentate in
Toulon. They made a visit to the cemetery where rested Louis Colle, an adolescent often
mentioned in Don Bosco’s life. The Rector of the Toulon studentate led him to see the La
Navarre novitiate that had been erected by Don Bosco himself.
Upon arrival at the novitiate, Fr. Majcen greeted the Rector Fr. Peliput and the novice
master Fr. Natigel, entrusting to them the two Vietnamese “precious treasures” who had been
well prepared by Fr. Genersoso Bogo. He also met Fr. Candela who had known him on his
visit in Kunming. At the La Navarre, Fr. Majcen saw the sacerdotal cap of Don Bosco, kept
in a showcase, and a very beautiful chapel where there was a beautiful mini-picture of Mary
Help of Christians, a copy of the picture at Valdocco, Turin, and which was painted by the
same artist. Fr. Majcen asked the novice master about the lessons the latter gave to his
novices. The novice master said: “The first lesson is to let the novices picked the grapes in
the vineyard of the novitiate; I stay there with them, observing their characters and
temperament. After a month, after knowing their endurance, I begin to give them a program.”
Fr. Majcen was very surprised at this way of formation, but little by little he saw the novice
master taught his novices on prayer and work in his conferences and good night talks…
Fr. Majcen also consult Fr. Amil, a veteran novice master, who explained him what he
did: Read the Constitution article by article, and explained Don Bosco’s thought according to
the interpretation of Fr. Barberis and of other first Salesians.
|
|
17.10 Page 170 |
▲back to top |
162 Chapter 28: Fr. Majcen’s Trip to Europe: May 1958 - May 1959
A visit to Fr. Petit and Mgr. Kerec
From the novitiate, Fr. Majcen went to Marseille to see Fr. Petit, a former Rector of the
Marseille house, a Salesian house that had become historic with a number of Don Bosco’s
visits on his trips to France. Fr. Petit recalled many souvenirs of the old days, including a
mention of Fr. Lodovico Olive, a Marseillese who had been a member of the missionary
group to go to China in 1906. Fr. Majcen told Fr. Petit about Hà Nội, about Fr. Dupont and
also about Kunming. Fr. Petit was still energetic and was currently a confessor of the
Marseille community.
From Marseille Fr. Majcen went to San Cyr to see Mgr. Kerec. The Monsignor was
currently confessor and catechism teacher to the Mary Help of Christians School. It was from
this school that, said the school’s director, St. Mazzarello in her last sickness had departed for
the Mother House in Nizza Monferrato to spend her last days in her life.
Fr. Majcen stayed with Mgr. Kerec for a few days during which they talked about many
things. Mgr. Kerec asked about the situation in Yugoslavia where he wanted to return.
A visit to Austria
Upon his return to Italy, he set forth Klagenfurt via Trieste and stayed in the Salesian
houses in Austria. Here he met Fr. Cigan, an old novice companion who was now taking care
of the Slovenian secondary students. He also visited the Salesian immigrants who had fled to
Austria during the most difficult moment and who were now working as parish priests in
Austria. In Kanten, a wholly Slovenian parish, he met Fr. Matko, his former assistant at the
Rakovnik school many years ago. Since then, this Father had continued to help the Chinese
and Vietnamese pupils with subsidies.
Then he went to see his uncles who had immigrated in Austria when Yugoslavia was
created. Their families solemnly welcomed him at Gratkorn, near the cities of Gratz and
Knielfeld where uncle Hans and uncle Toni lived. Uncle Toni arranged for the Radio-Gratz to
have an interview with Fr. Majcen which was broadcast in that same evening. The broadcast
lasted for 10 minutes, and although the German of Fr. Majcen was full of mistakes, the
listeners said it was very interesting and vivid.
Together with his uncles, he went to Vienna where there was the provincial office, to see
Fr. Guglielme Smidt, who had been a Rector of the Salesian School in Macao and was
currently in charge of the Office for the Sponsorship of Missions. Fr. Majcen also made a
pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Virgin Mary of Mariazell where as a child he had come with
his mother.
While he was in Austria, he heard the news of the death of Pope Pius XII, and twenty
days later, the news of Pope John XXIII’s election.
A visit to the novices at Villa Moglia and Lanuvio
Upon returning to Italy from Austria, on Fr. Antal’s advice, he visited the novices at
Villa Moglia near Chieri. He stayed there for a few days and eagerly listened to the
conferences of Fr. Silvio Siri, the novice master, to his 70 novices. Fr. Majcen asked him:
— How do you prepare your conferences?
162
|
|
18 Pages 171-180 |
▲back to top |
|
|
18.1 Page 171 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 28: Fr. Majcen’s Trip to Europe: May 1958 - May 1959 163
— I go to the LDC bookshop to buy the best books to read by night and then lecture to
the novices on the next day.
— I can’t use this method, because we can’t find good books in Vietnam. Still, I am not
good at expressing in Vietnamese.
At Villa Moglia, Fr. Majcen met Fr. Tirone, his former Provincial, who had an
extraordinary memory that helped him remember many things that had happened to the
religious life in Radna.
Then Fr. Majcen went to the novitiate Lanuvio near Rome, where Fr. Goricik was novice
master. This Father had been his novice companion years ago. In a consultation, Fr. Majcen
asked:
— Do you read as much as Fr. Siri?
— In fact I can’t read as much. Therefore in my conferences, I usually speak about Don
Bosco and the Constitutions for about 15 minutes. Then I review my previous conferences.
— This would be suitable for me. I would like to ask you one more question. Fr. Siri told
me you used to receive your novices at night when they have problems, isn’t that true?
— No, no. If anyone comes to me after night prayer, I would throw a shoe at him and
send him away. God created the night for us to sleep!
The last days with his mother
Back to Yugoslavia, he had a 6 month stay permission. His mother was very happy and
wanted him to stay longer because she was old and would not live long. In fact, she died just
a few years later, in 1961. Fr. Majcen’s presence had prolonged her life. She was happy to be
with her son, attend his Mass and hear his prayers. Actually Fr. Majcen’s health did not
improve much; he still had a pain on his left cheek. Moreover, since he was not a permanent
resident, he had to be treated secretly by a doctor who treated him free of charge. But he did
not want to let her mother and sister know all this.
On the last days of his stay with his mother, he went with her to his father’s grave where
her mother had decorated with flowers and candles. Fr. Majcen blessed the tomb, too moved
to contain his tears. Seeing this scene, his mother thought of a day when she herself would lie
beside her husband’s tomb.
And the parting day came: The train arrived at Zagabria station. He seemed to be serene
but inside he was full of sadness, being aware that he would no longer see his mother again.
He look out through the train window and wave farewell to his mother for the last time. His
heart beat hard and fast, but he got a consolation from prayers. He entrusted everything to
God and to Mary’s mighty help. After he had arrived in Vietnam, he received his mother’s
letter saying that his departure was like a funeral. And for him, it was an indescribable
sacrifice.
Return to Vietnam
In Rakownik, Fr. Majcen bid farewell to and thanked the Salesians there. He visited the
Shrine of Mary Help of Christians for the last time, pledged his allegiance to her and parted.
In Trieste, he bid farewell to Fr. Studec, who had helped him so much, and went to Austria to
say farewell to his uncles and relatives.
|
|
18.2 Page 172 |
▲back to top |
164 Chapter 28: Fr. Majcen’s Trip to Europe: May 1958 - May 1959
He went to say farewell to Mgr. Kerec and the Vietnamese novices and left for Paris on
the same day. He went to Turin to say farewell to Fr. Vode who offered him some Italian and
French books that would be very useful for his work in the novitiate. He greeted the superiors
and immediately went to Rome because his flight ticket was going to expire. Unable to find a
straight flight to Sài Gòn, he took off via Cambodia. In Pnom-Penh, he stayed the night at the
MEP house and set out for Sài Gòn the next morning. Unexpectedly he came to Gò Vấp on
May 19 1959, exactly one year after he left Vietnam.
164
|
|
18.3 Page 173 |
▲back to top |
CHAPTER 29: FR. MAJCEN WAS APPOINTED NOVICE-MASTER
AND ACTING RECTOR WHEN FR. GENEROSO WAS AWAY (1959-
1960)
During the time Fr. Majcen was in Europe, among others, there were these new and
important events:
After the meeting of Fr. Majcen, Fr. Mario and Fr. Ziggiotti, and after the General
Chapter in August 1958, Fr. Tohill was appointed Provincial of the Chinese-Vietnamese
Province, while Fr. Mario was appointed Provincial Delegate for Vietnam. The study
programs for the Gò Vấp house were limited to the technical and trade training only, the
secondary school program being interrupted.
The visit of Fr. Fedrigotti, Vicar of the Rector Major
It was in that time that Fr. Fedrigotti, Vicar of the Rector Major, made his visit to the
Salesian Works in Vietnam. In general, Fr. Fedrigotti approved the development program
made by the Salesians, but he emphasized the priority of the trade and technical education.
Fr. Fedrigotti and Fr. Cuisset had an audience with President Diệm. As usual, the President
continuously talked alone during the meeting, and Fr. Fedrigotti had to wait for the President
to stop to light his cigarette to address him: “Mr. the President, we’d like to ask for a favor.”
The President replied: “Yes, please.” “We’d like you to officially recognize our properties in
Thủ Đức and Gò Vấp.”1 The President immediately commissioned his secretary councilor to
prepare all the legal procedures for the recognition of the Salesian Society as a legal entity,
which had already been granted in Hà Nội since 1953 with the intervention of Mgr. Seitz.
The legal procedures took long before the recognition document was signed by the President
on October 15 1963, just 15 days before Diệm was assassinated.2
A small celebration for Fr. Majcen’s return in Vietnam
In the next morning, the Gò Vấp children had a celebration welcome back Fr. Majcen to
Vietnam. They played music with the brass band3 and there was also a performance which
they had previously demonstrated on the occasion of the visit of Cardinal Agagiania n.
Development steps of the Gò Vấp house
Fr. Majcen was happy to see the new church dedicated to St. Joseph, Patron of worker
students. The church had been built under the supervision of Fr. Cuisset and Fr. Luvisotto.
The church could contain 500 people, and all the furniture was made by the carpentry shop’s
students themselves.
On the plot that was formerly the bus station and garage there was now a workshop with
carpentry and mechanics equipment bought with the money sent by Fr. Rauh4 from the Bonn
Missionary Support Office. The technical education was taught by Bros. De Marchi, De
Groot, Mario Lục and a teacher recommended by Monsignor Schultz.
1 And later also the land of Trạm Hành.
2 President Diệm was assassinated on November 2 1963.
3 The instruments bought by Fr. Majcen with the money given by Fr. Vesco at Villa Moglia and sent by Fr.
Matko.
4 A friend of Fr. Majcen and Fr. Mario.
165
|
|
18.4 Page 174 |
▲back to top |
166 Chapter 29: Fr. Majcen Appointed Novice-Master and Acting Rector (1959-1960)
Fr. Chong and Fr. Cuisset had to purchase at a high price a small house on the
neighborhood for an infirmary under the care of Bro. Borri. Because he wanted a
compensation for his house, the owner had been reluctant to leave the plot we had bought.
The meeting of the Salesian Administration of Gò Vấp house:
Here are the proceedings of the meeting:
The meeting on May 24 1959 of the Salesian Administration of Vietnam was composed of:
President: Fr. Mario Acquistapace.
Administrative members: Fr. Pierre Cuisset and Fr. Andrej Majcen.
All the members have been considered and approved by the governments of Hà Nội and Sài
Gòn, with the approval documents numbers … signed on the …
The topic of the meeting has been to deliberate on the legal purchase of the plot of Thủ Đức
and of the railway and bus station of Gò Vấp. The Administration has applied for the
signature of the President of the Republic of Vietnam by which the plots officially become
the legal properties of the Salesian Congregation of Don Bosco.
Thus by the grace of Mary on her month of May, and after an exchange between the Vicar of
the Rector Major and the President Diệm, the approved document was signed by the
President on October 15 1963.
A definite return to Thủ Đức
On May 25 1959, Fr. Majcen returned to Thủ Đức definitely. Everybody was happy to
know he would be a novice master. All the aspirants surrounded him to congratulate him and
to show confidence in their future.
Celebrating the Feast of the Virgin Mary at Gò Vấp
May 31 1959 was a solemn feast day in gratitude to Our Blessed Lady. Frs. Mario
Acquistapace, Cuisset and Generoso had decided to have a common celebration in honor of
Mary Help of Christians for both communities at Gò Vấp where the church was large. Fr.
Majcen was invited to give the homily in Vietnamese.
Fr. Majcen’s preparation for his new apostolate
To prepare for his ministry as a novice master, Fr. Majcen made visits to the novice
masters of the Franciscans and the Redemptorists. He also consulted with Mgr. Lê Hữu Từ
who was a Cistercian, and Mgr. Phạm Ngọc Chi who was drafting the regulations for the Đà
Nẵng Sisters Lovers of the Cross. Fr. Majcen carefully read the instructions of Fr. Pietro
Ricaldone on Salesian formation, the books of Fr. Barberis and Fr. Terrone, and studied
ascetic books in French and Vietnamese, while learning Vietnamese terminologies of
asceticism. Unlike other novice masters who gave conferences in French , Fr. Majcen decided
to use Vietnamese to give his conferences to his novices. He also wished to have the Salesian
Constitutions translated in Vietnamese, a thing that he had to wait for some more years. Of
course all this preparation was very hard for him, but it proved to be very helpful for his
ministry in the future.
166
|
|
18.5 Page 175 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 28: Fr. Majcen’s Trip to Europe: May 1958 - May 1959 167
A canonical visit of the Provincial
Fr. Bernard Tohill, the Provincial, began his canonical visit in June 1959. Thanks to this
visit, many problems could find a solution, especially the problems regarding the novitiate.
On the minimum age for admission to the novitiate, should we admit a candidate of 15 years
old as in Italy, or should we wait for him to finish Form 12 as was the current usage of the
other religious institutes in Vietnam? If we adopted the Italian usage, we could readily have
candidates for the novitiate, leaving their scholastic and philosophical studies to be completed
in Hong Kong. But if we adopted the current usage of the religious institutes in Vietnam,
there would be very few candidates for Fr. Majcen’s novitiate year 1960-61.
We also applied to the Ordinary, the Rector Major and the Holy See for the canonical
erection of our novitiate. On September 4 1959 we received the Rector Major’s decree
appointing Fr. Majcen as novice master and in the same time the permission to erect the
novitiate at Thủ Đức house.
Novice candidates included: Dominic Uyển, Marc Huỳnh, John Ty, Dũng, Liêm, and
Phúc from the North; Vincent Quí from the Center; and Linh from the South.
Fr. Tohill suggested to call back the aspirants who were studying in Hong Kong
including Tôn, Sử, Vấn, and Mỹ.5 These boys already knew English which would be useful
for them in their philosophical study later. They would continue to learn at the Bắc Ninh
seminary for one year before entering the novitiate.
A proposal of Fr. Generoso
As Fr. Cuisset had built a church in Gò Vấp, now Fr. Generoso also wanted to do the
same, and he proposed to build a church of the Immaculate Conception in Thủ Đức. He also
suggested that he would go to Brazil and Rome to find funds for the construction. It was a
good proposal, and the Provincial appointed Fr. Majcen as acting rector of Thủ Đức house
while Fr. Generoso was going to Brazil to raise funds for the prospective church.
In the meantime Fr. Majcen throughout the school year 1959-60 was studying with the
contractor Tống Dụ Quang on the elaboration of this new project. He also helped to raise
money for the construction.
The school year 1959-60
After the departure of the Provincial and the Rector, Fr. Majcen ran the work at Thủ
Đức, with a good number of achievements.
We bought a private cemetery at a corner of the plot, and because these were the tombs
of the owner’s ancestors, Fr. Cuisset had to pay a large compensation. As for the purchase of
Mrs. Lelièvre’s plot in Trạm Hành, it was guaranteed by a contract by which we could
already use it and Mrs. Lelièvre was keeping guard over it for us.
At this time our Salesian confrères were at a number of 19, including those who came
from Europe and China. They were priests, clerics and lay brothers of various nationalities.
Of course in the beginning they had to learn Vietnamese and so could not help much in our
works.
Following the Provincial’s prescriptions, Fr. Majcen started the program for the
postulants including the aspirants of Thủ Đức and those called back from Hong Kong. While
5 Among these, only Mỹ continued to be a Salesian.
|
|
18.6 Page 176 |
▲back to top |
168 Chapter 29: Fr. Majcen Appointed Novice-Master and Acting Rector (1959-1960)
these were continuing their secondary scholastic programs (Grade III), Fr. Majcen gave them
religious conferences, had individual talks with them and gave them necessary remarks. In
the meanwhile Fr. Ignatius Song taught them English which would be very helpful for them
in their post-novitiate formation.
As for the aspirantate, with Fr. Song’s help, Fr. Majcen dismissed the unsuited boys and
received the new good ones. Studies included the subjects equivalent to the II Grade
secondary school. A few particular aspirants could follow their studies at the Bắc Ninh
seminary and their studies were free of charge thanks to the kindness of Father Director of the
seminary.
The Thủ Đức aspirants number rose to 150, as many as this house could contain.
Apart from the religious practice and scholastic duties, the aspirants had other
occupations such as personal hygiene, laundry and house cleaning. They were also offered
entertainments with a great variety of games, sports, excursions, festivals and artistic
performances.
They became more and more cheerful and educated, very gentle and vivid, so much so
that on seeing them, many guests were astonished and full of admiration.
These were fruits of so much efforts of Fr. Majcen and Fr. Song in their teaching and
educating them.
In the meantime, Fr. Cuisset proceeded to prepare the place for the future novitiate in
Thủ Đức.
A list of the working Salesian confreres
At Gò Vấp, the Rector was Fr. Mario Acquistapace with the cooperation of Frs. Cuisset,
Luvisotto, Mattheo Chong, Musso, clerics Stra and Fantini, and the lay brothers Liễu, Marco
Lục, Borri, De Marchi, and Nardin.
At Thủ Đức, the Rector was Fr. Generoso who was temporarily absent for his trip to
Brazil. The acting rector was the novice master Fr. Majcen, with the cooperation of Fr. Song,
Fr. Cuisset, Fr. Luvisotto, Fr. Musso, and the clerics Lagger, De Muleneare, Wouve.
A crisis of ideas
There appeared in that year several progressive ideas from Europe by which several of
our confreres were affected. They held that we had to replace Salesian traditional ideas,
which they considered out of date, by new ideas and methods. In this situation, Fr. Majcen
always defended the need of allegiance to Don Bosco and held that the updating should be
done with discretion and always under the guidance of the superiors. This was also what the
Vietnamese bishops were doing. They themselves wanted the update, but wanted it to be
done gradually and wisely.
The financial situation of Thủ Đức
At Thủ Đức, we had not had any income from the pupils’ school fees. Fr. Cuisset had to
provide the aspirantate with money and rice every month. At that moment we had to entirely
rely on Fr. Cuisset. But little by little Fr. Majcen started some propaganda to find financial
support. Based on his friendship with the generous Fr. Vode, Fr. Majcen wrote a series of
168
|
|
18.7 Page 177 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 28: Fr. Majcen’s Trip to Europe: May 1958 - May 1959 169
letters to Fr. Vode, presenting to him the necessities of Thủ Đức and asking him to encourage
other Salesians to support us financially.
And learning from Frs. Roozen and Cappelletti, Fr. Majcen wrote many letters, creating
a net of benefactors; besides, he also made propaganda by writing articles and sending them
to newspapers and magazines in Slovenian language which were printed in Europe and
Argentine, in which not only he asked for help from benefactors but also reported on the
apostolate he was doing in Vietnam.
The Vietnamese Hierarchy and three important visits
Around May 1959, while Fr. Majcen was in Europe, a National Marian Congress was
held in Sài Gòn to celebrate the 4th Centenary of the first missionaries in Vietnam. On this
occasion, Cardinal Agagianian, the legate of the Pope, came to Vietnam and declared the
establishment of the Vietnamese hierarchy with the erection of three archdioceses and the
promotion of all the Apostolic Vicariates into dioceses with their own ordinaries. The three
archbishops were Mgr. Trịnh Như Khuê of Hà Nội, Mgr. Ngô Đình Thục of Huế, and Mgr.
Nguyễn Văn Bình of Sài Gòn. The good bishop Mgr. Simon Hoà Hiền was moved to Đà Lạt,
a new diocese.
Cardinal Agagianian’s visit to Don Bosco Gò Vấp
On this occasion, after having carefully prepared everything, Fr. Mario Acquistapace
invited Card. Agagianian to Gò Vấp. And so, the cardinal visited our house of Gò Vấp,
escorted by Monsignor Caprio, the Apostolic Nuncio, and several ambassadors and consuls.
After this visit, the Cardinal and the Nuncio called on various agencies (Misereor, CARE, …)
to give priority to their help of the poor Salesians who were having big projects but were
lacking funds. Taking advantage of this, Fr. Mario and Fr. Cuisset elaborated our works in
Gò Vấp which little by little became an important Salesian work.
Fr. Majcen came unexpectedly as if he fell from heaven precisely on these same days,
just in time to attend the reception of the Cardinal at the church newly build by Fr. Cuisset
and Fr. Luvisotto.
Cardinal Spellman’s visit
In one afternoon of September 1959, Fr. Majcen and his poor children were in a rubber
plantation near Thủ Đức when they saw a convoy escorted by soldiers on their motorbikes
and accompanied by the Director of the Social Department. The convoy stopped at us with
the presence of Cardinal Spellman and Fr. Mario. The Cardinal spoke in Italian and said he
was interested in our Salesian works. Fr. Mario enthusiastically explained our projects and
spoke of the numerous needs of our pupils.
Then the convoy resumed its journey toward Đà Lạt, where we were dreaming of a new
work. Fr. Majcen just remembered two things: he was very tired, having neither money nor
necessary means, and the Gò Vấp house was then flourishing under the direction of Fr.
Mario.
|
|
18.8 Page 178 |
▲back to top |
170 Chapter 29: Fr. Majcen Appointed Novice-Master and Acting Rector (1959-1960)
Mgr. Arduino’s visit
In 1960, in the tropical monsoon of May or June6… with abundant rain and flood, Mgr.
Arduino came to visit us. The pupils were very happy because it was for the first time they
could see a Salesian bishop, a friend of Fr. Majcen. The bishop was very lovable and
cheerful. The aspirants at once surrounded him and those who knew a little French kept
asking him many things about the Salesian Society. As they were talking, a heavy rain poured
down as torrents so they had to take refuge in the narrow corridor built by Mr. Tống Dụ
Quang. Mgr. Arduino said: “Please build another corridor connecting this barrack with the
dormitory.” Thus, thanks to this rain, he gave us money to build a corridor linking the two
blocks, and the corridor was called “Mgr. Arduino’s corridor” which proved to be very
useful.
The Catholics’ golden time
The visits of the two Cardinals stimulated many to help the Vietnamese Church. Among
many others, funds were raised for the erection of the Pius X Pontifical Atheneum in Đà Lạt
under the direction of the Jesuists, with the faculties of philosophy and theology; the erection
of the Catholic University of Đà Lạt with various faculties. And also the realization of the
Vietnamese Catholics’ dream to build the Basilica of Our Lady of La Vang near the 17
Parallel, a destination for series of pilgrimages. It was Fr. Mario himself who had got from a
Vocation School in Spain a very beautiful statue of our Lady and offered it to the Basilica.
Dark clouds on the horizon
In that year there was a law prescribing all the Chinese having Vietnamese citizenship to
do their military service and were restricted in their trades, resulting in a great resentment in
them.
Profiting from this situation, the Vietnamese communists mingled and befriended with
the Chinese circle, and got support from them in their guerrilla war.
Hồ Chí Minh, on his part, after getting whole control of the North, prepared to conquer
the South. To do this, he and the lawyer Nguyễn Hữu Thọ formed the “Front of Liberation of
the South” with its headquarters located at a secret place in Central Vietnam. From then on,
the communists invaded everywhere. Groups of guerrillas launched unexpected attacks here
and there with killing and devastating and then vanished.
Other discontentments
To win sympathy of the Buddhists, President Diệm favored the building of pagodas,
notably the splendid Ấn Quang Pagoda in Sài Gòn. Nevertheless, the Buddhists still
distrusted him for having previously stripped them off some rights. They became a good
ambiance for the communist propaganda and instigation.
As for us Salesian, we kept working hard and detached from politics, putting our trust on
Providence and took the Our Father as our politics.
6 Fr. Majcen did not remember exactly the date. He wrote “in the tropical monsoon…” implying that it might
have been around May or June or later.
170
|
|
18.9 Page 179 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 28: Fr. Majcen’s Trip to Europe: May 1958 - May 1959 171
It was precisely in this context that we began our first novitiate, while Fr. Mario
Acquistapace was eagerly promoting the devotion to Mary Help of Christians, convinced that
whoever trusts in her will never be disappointed. Mary Help of Christians, pray for us!
Fr. Majcen fell ill
His vacation trip to Europe had not much recovered his poor health. The following year,
at about the beginning of May 1960, he was taken to St. Paul Hospital in an emergency case.
He had to stay there for treatment for some time. When he came home, the confreres asked
him to rest and just to show them what to do. He had to comply but his health did not much
improve.
Admission of pupils
The pupils were admitted in accordance with the scholastic regulations. Around 250 boys
presented themselves for an examination and 40 of them were admitted. Due to a lack of
resources, we could not receive more of them.
The Immaculate Conception Chapel
The forecast expenditure for the chapel was 14 million VN$. Fr. Majcen had already had
9 million and hoped that Fr. Generoso would add an equivalent sum on his return from
Brazil, but he was disappointed. Nevertheless, the construction contract was signed and on
the advice of Fr. Tohill, the Provincial, it would be a two-floor building with the upper floor
for the Immaculate Conception chapel and the ground floor for other appropriate purposes.
Eventually the construction was begun and on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of that
year, Fr. Cuisset had been able to take photos of the aspirants posing before the framework of
the construction. All the rest would be successfully completed by Fr. Generoso Bogo and Fr.
Aarts,7 and the aspirants could already use the chapel. Fr. Majcen, on his part, continued to
raise the fund, and the chapel was inaugurated after a year. The real total expense rose to 28
million VN$.
7 Altro lavoro facevano Don Bogo e Don Aartz, che riuscivano benino.
|
|
18.10 Page 180 |
▲back to top |
CHAPTER 30: THE ‘FIRST’ RECORDS OF THE SALESIANS IN
VIETNAM (1960-61)
In spite of the dark clouds on the horizon, the Salesians with their trust in God’s help and
the protection of Mary Help of Christians continued to go ahead and prepared for the
novitiate.
On May 24 1960, nine postulants presented to Fr. Generoso Bogo, Rector of Thủ Đức,
their demand for admission to the first novitiate in Vietnam. The Rector with his council (Fr.
Majcen, Fr. Luvisotto) admitted Nguyễn Đức Huỳnh, Ngô Hạnh Phúc, Đỗ Văn Sử, Phạm
Xuân Uyển, Nguyễn Văn Ty, Vincent Quý, Đinh Thanh Liêm, Linh, and Vấn. The
applications were sent to Hong Kong, where the provincial council admitted all the nine
applicants. In this historic provincial council meeting there was the presence of Fr. Tohill,
Provincial, Frs. Jansen, Lin, Suppo, Wu and Rassiga.
1. The Novitiate Course I (1960-61)
On August 15 1960, nine candidates were admitted as novices of the Thủ Đức novitiate.
As the day opened to a new episode of the Salesian Society in Vietnam, all the confreres and
aspirants were present in the event which began with the hymn “Veni Creator” fervently
sung, followed by the Mass. With a strong emotion, Fr. Majcen presented the novices, while
the Provincial recommended them to attach their devotion to mortification, proper behavior
and sacrifice that were concretized in the imitation of Don Bosco. Thus ended the opening
ceremony for the novitiate.
Life in novitiate
The life in the novitiate was strictly organized according to the Constitutions and Canon
Law. The novices lived separately from others, no contacts, no correspondence without the
novice master’s permission. The novices made the meditations using Fr. Bertetto’s book that
had been translated by the novice Vincent Quý. As for spiritual readings, they used Fr. Giulio
Barberis’s book, translated by Fr. Isidore Lê Hướng when he was in the theology studentate.
Fr. Majcen gave the conferences in Vietnamese and based on Fr. Barberis’s book. Apart from
the conferences on asceticism, the novices also learned Latin and English to prepare for their
post-novitiate studies.
The novitiate should be a year entirely devoted to interior life and prayer. The novitiate
was dedicated to the Sacred Heart, with strict regulations on the visits to the Blessed
Sacrament, together with other devotions and prayers recited alternately in Vietnamese,
Latin, English and French.
Fr. Tohill emphasized on the mortification in eating, sitting and walking.. and also in
orderliness in personal belongings and regularity in life style. He wanted the novices to learn
how to sanctify their lives in imitation of Don Rinaldi, by the frequent reciting of short
prayers and by always living in God’s presence.
Fr. Majcen in principle took charge of the conferences and interpretation of the
Constitutions. As basic textbooks, he used the book of Fr. Ricaldone on Salesian Formation
and the ascetic book of Fr. Pesch in French. He also consulted other books in Vietnamese and
in Chinese to help him use the appropriate word for an exact meaning, including the Fr.
Suppo’s Chinese translation of the Constitutions and the theology and philosophy dictionary
172
|
|
19 Pages 181-190 |
▲back to top |
|
|
19.1 Page 181 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 28: Fr. Majcen’s Trip to Europe: May 1958 - May 1959 173
of Mgr. Chi and Fr. Trần Văn Hiến Minh. In all this, he also had exchanges with the novices
themselves, leading to the creation of a Vietnamese Salesian literature.
The first Vietnamese Salesian literature
The booklet on the Life of Don Bosco written many years ago by Fr. Lý of the diocese of
Bùi Chu was of course very valuable. Mgr. Ngô Đình Thục, a brother of President Diệm, also
had his seminarians of Huế diocese translate some books in Vietnamese, in particular the
booklets on Dominic Savio and on the Preventive System. Fr. Majcen’s young Vietnamese
teacher also rewrote Fr. Majcen’s conferences in a very intelligible Vietnamese. All these
works, among others, were initial resources of a Vietnamese Salesian literature that were very
valuable and helpful.
The novices who knew French and English also tried to translate books or magazines
including the book of Fr. Bertetto on Don Bosco, the Don Bosco in the World, the Don
Bosco’s Dreams. On special occasions or festivities, they also made short speeches at the
Mary’s grotto in front of the novitiate in honor of Our Lady and Don Bosco. Of course these
translations and speeches were monitored by Fr. Majcen.
Other scholastic studies of the novices
In Fr. Tohill’s view, the novices should also be prepared for their post-novitiate
formation by classes of English, Latin or any other necessary languages. In his teaching, Fr.
Majcen always wanted to be sure that the novices clearly understood what he taught, by
asking them questions again and again until they could answer correctly. All he wanted was
to form true Salesians of Don Bosco.
Helping the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians
The Daughters of Mary Help of Christians came to Vietnam in 1960. They soon found a
small group of school girls who had just graduated from secondary school and were
beginning their university studies. And they wanted to become Daughters of Mary Help of
Christians. Sr. Zoller, Rector, and the Provincial of FMA Hong Kong asked Fr. Majcen to
make a scrutiny on these girls. He did it and found them to be good stuff. As a result, six of
them were sent to Hong Kong in 1960, and another group of 8 girls were sent to Hong Kong
and to Rome in 1961. The others continued their aspirantate formation at their rented house in
Chợ Lớn. And Fr. Majcen became their confessor and catechist, and in a party he shared with
them his experience of a master of novice. He continued to help them from 1960 to October
1961 when he moved to Trạm Hành, Đà Lạt. After him, Fr. Generoso continued the task of
spiritual director for the aspirants of the FMA.
Fr. Majcen’s health and political disturbances
At that time Fr. Majcen’s health was relatively good in spite of some moments of
exhaustion. The political situation was more and more disturbed. The guerrilla war kept
increasing. One day, bodies of two French veteran legionnaires were found next to our house
with a paper written: “Executed by order of the YX army of the Front of Liberation of the
South.” People were often killed by night. Early in November, there was a bombing of Sài
Gòn. The President Palace was bombed by an aircraft and two arches of Bình Lợi bridge
were detonated. They were at once replaced by floating bridge but the traffic from Thủ Đức
to Sài Gòn was cut for several days.
|
|
19.2 Page 182 |
▲back to top |
174 Chapter 29: Fr. Majcen Appointed Novice-Master and Acting Rector (1959-1960)
The clothing ceremony of the novices
On November 21 1960, eight novices received their religious habits. On the occasion of
Fr. Tohill’s visit, there was a scrutiny meeting for a voting in which he conveyed the wishes
of the Superior Council. Fr. Bellido kept reminding us to carefully form our first novices
because they would be the base for the Salesian works in Vietnam.1
A major problem for this novitiate was language. The novices could understand a little
French, but they knew almost nothing about Latin, English or Italian.
Feast of the Immaculate Conception
After the novena in preparation for the feast, the day was celebrated very solemnly.
There came the brass band from Gò Vấp, directed by Bro. Lục. The superiors and the
aspirants were very happy at the clerical clothing ceremony of their friends through their
exemplary behavior and devotion. On this day, there was also the inauguration of the
Immaculate Conception chapel, although it had been only completed in their exterior.
The Immaculate feast was also a feast day of the Vietnamese Conference of Bishops. On
this occasion, the Thủ Đức community had also the honor of the visit of Archbishop Nguyễn
Văn Bình of Sài Gòn.
The last letter from Fr. Majcen’s mother
Fr. Majcen received the last letter from his mother on his feast day, St. Andrew’s. His
mother was living the last days of her life, although Fr. Majcen’s sister tried to hide from him
her mother’s real situation in order not to worry him. Nevertheless, he had no illusion and
kept praying for her. He was very sad and suffered for not being able to be at her side.
The first Vietnamese Salesian priest
March 1961 gave Fr. Majcen a great joy. The first Vietnamese Salesian, Isidore Lê
Hướng, was ordained priest on March 25. He had come from the Bùi Chu seminary. His
director had recommended him to Fr. Majcen in 1952. In 1953 he began his aspirantate and in
1954 was sent to Hong Kong and then to the Philippines for the novitiate. After the novitiate,
he remained there to be a novice assistant. Then he was sent to Italy for his theology studies.
The first Mass of the newly ordained priest was celebrated in Austria where Fr. Matko
lived, on the very feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, June 29, 1961. In Siebenhugel in Austria, he
was solemnly welcomed by the Salesians there. More than a thousand faithful stood inside
and outside of the church to attend his Mass in which Fr. Luskar gave an eloquent homily and
Fr. Lê Hướng spoke in Italian and Fr. Vode translated into Slovenian. The old Fr. Cauti spoke
of the 117 martyrs of Vietnam and the faithful were happy to welcome a descent of the
Vietnamese martyrs. A benefactor accepted to be his foster mother to substitute his parents
who were in North Vietnam and who could not have contact with him. Fr. Hướng also sang
some Vietnamese songs which brought a great joy to everybody. He also celebrated his Mass
in somewhere else before returned to Sài Gòn in September and celebrated his first Mass in
Vietnam, together with Fr. Majcen.
1 In fact, in 1986 Fr. Ty became delegate of the Rector Major; Fr. Hu ỳnh became provincial economer and Fr.
Uyển became a professor for our young Salesians.
174
|
|
19.3 Page 183 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 28: Fr. Majcen’s Trip to Europe: May 1958 - May 1959 175
The first Salesian professions in Vietnam
The novitiate ended, 6 novices were admitted to profession. Father Provincial chose the
feast of Assumption for the novices to begin their spiritual retreat together with the 11 new
novices who were preparing for the novitiate. And the profession ceremony took place on
August 22 1961, feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, in which Father Provincial
celebrated the Mass and received the vows of the 6 new confreres, fruits of the first novitiate.
The joy was indescribable.
Lay brother vocations
Aware of the need for local lay brothers in Vietnam, before the novitiate ended, we
priests and lay brothers had at Thủ Đức a Congress on Vocation to discuss this topic. All
agreed to make the Gò Vấp house a Technical School and an Aspirantate for lay brother
vocations. This year was the second novitiate in which we had three lay brother vocations:
Hùng, Khang and Vĩnh from Gò Vấp, together with other 8 cleric novices from Thủ Đức.
Fr. Majcen’s mother died
On September 15 1961, Fr. Majcen got the news of the death of his mother. In a
telegram, Mgr. Kerec told him that his mother breathed her last on August 21 and was buried
at the Kirsco cemetery on the 23, in the presence of his two sisters, his relatives, Mgr. Kerec
and the nuns who had been with him in Chaotong, Yunnan. The sad news caused him a
tremendous pain, since he loved her so much and was so grateful to her for her greatest
support for him by her prayers and sacrifices, especially when he was small.
2. Preparations for the novitiate transfer to Trạm Hành
The beginning of the following novitiate course coincided with the day when the novices
made their first vows and the new novices were admitted by the Councils of the Vietnamese
Provincial Delegation2 and the Hong Kong Province3 to begin their novitiate. The number of
the new novices was 8 aspirants from Thủ Đức4 and 3 from Gò Vấp5. In the meantime Fr.
Majcen also continue his ministry at the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.
However, to better organize the novitiate, the Vietnamese Provincial Delegation decided
to move the novitiate to Trạm Hành. The superiors proceeded to ask for the permission from
Mgr. Simon Hoà Hiền, bishop of Đà Lạt, then from the Holy See, and for the appointment of
a Rector.
The novitiate therefore continued to remain in Thủ Đức for some time. In the meantime 6
new professed from the 1 novitiate year were learning English to prepare for their
philosophical studies in Hong Kong. On the first Sunday of September, we solemnly
celebrated the feast of the 117 Blessed Martyrs of Vietnam.
2 Including: Fr. Mario Acquistapace, provincial delegate; Fr. Generoso Bogo; Fr. Majcen.
3 Including: Fr. Tohill, Provincial; councilors: Frs. Pomatti, Lin, Jansen, Suppo, Haselsteiner, Rassiga.
4 Peter Cho, Fabian Hào, Joseph Giảng, Joseph Mỹ, Joseph Sử, Joseph Tiệm, Peter Tịnh, and Joseph Tôn.
5 Vincent Hùng, John Khang, Peter Vĩnh.
|
|
19.4 Page 184 |
▲back to top |
176 Chapter 29: Fr. Majcen Appointed Novice-Master and Acting Rector (1959-1960)
The Novitiate Course II (1961-62)
Trạm Hành Novitiate
The procedures for the transfer of the novitiate were completed and the Trạm Hành
house was canonically erected as a novitiate with Fr. Majcen as novice master.
At 28 km from Trạm Hành is Đà Lạt City located on the highland which is free from the
suffocating heat of Sài Gòn and where there are the bishopric of Đà Lạt, the Catholic
University and an excellent hospital.
Middle way between Trạm Hành and Đà Lạt was the Cầu Đất railway station and a big
hamlet with a police station that had very irregular activities. There were here a great number
of Catholics with their own parish church, and a convent of the Sisters Lovers of the Cross.
Cầu Đất had a bustling market and large tea plantations. Very close to Trạm Hành was the
Phát Chi parish, a strategic hamlet where the inhabitants were mostly refugees from the North
in 1954. The parish had its church with its own parish priest who was helped by the Sisters
Lovers of the Cross. From Trạm Hành, a sloping road took us to Đơn Dương town where
there was the Đa Nhim hydroelectric dam built by the Japanese. Not far from Đơn Dương, on
the way to the Liên Khương airport, we saw the Châu Sơn monastery.
The move
Right after the feast of the Holy Rosary, with some trucks for the transport of the
belongings, the novices together with the novice master and Fr. Luvisotto, the economer, set
out for Trạm Hành. After about 5 hours, they stopped at Bảo Lộc (Blao) for lunch then
resumed their journey to Đà Lạt (300 km from Sài Gòn) and then to Trạm Hành where Mrs.
Lelière was waiting for them. After a dinner, the first things they had to do was to get things
ready for a Mass in the next morning to place everybody under the protection of Our Lady.
Fr. Luvisotto guided the novices to prepare the places for the study hall, the dormitory,
the dining room, the chapel and the novice master’s room. Bro. Hiên, the assistant, guided the
novice to prepare the playground and the rooms for guests and confreres. Fr. Majcen went to
visit Fr. Hoá, the parish priest of Phát Chi, and the Sisters Lovers of the Cross at Phát Chi.
An excursion to the Châu Sơn Cistercians
Fr. Majcen used to tell his novices a story which was very old and always very new that
had become his life program, a moment that marked his childhood. He was then 15 years old,
and it was during World War I. He saw himself again and again standing at the window
looking out to the waves of the Sava River precipitating one upon another… On the other
bank of the river he saw the hooded Trappist novices working and hearing the bell chime at
every hour to remind them to pray. He had been explained by Fr. Kurent, his parish priest,
about St. Bernard’s motto: “Ora et labora”, a very impressive life program. Very curious, he
went to the Raichenburg monastery located on a high rock where long ago the Trappist
monks were protected from the pirates. He rang the bell and asked to visit the monastery. The
porter took him into the corridor and showed him the Latin inscription: “BERNARDE AD
QUID VENISTI?” The words kept echoing for ever in his heart and it still resounds even
now when I am 80 years old: Why? Why am I in this world? Why have I come?... Fr. Tohill
176
|
|
19.5 Page 185 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 28: Fr. Majcen’s Trip to Europe: May 1958 - May 1959 177
himself had said the same thing on the life programs of St. Bernard and St. Benedict. Why
have you come to this Trạm Hành Salesian novitiate? … Why?
One day Fr. Majcen decided to take his novices on an excursion to the Châu Sơn Abbey.
The monastery was at 10 km from Trạm Hành, below the Đơn Dương mountain pass, a
distance not too far to cover on foot. We were received by the Abbot and Mgr. Từ who was a
Cistercian himself and who was the immediate successor of the first Vietnamese bishop, Mgr.
Nguyễn Bá Tòng. Fr. Majcen talked to the bishop about the formation of the novices, on the
Constitutions and on its translation into Vietnamese. While they were talking, Fr. Majcen’s
dog lay at his foot. Seeing it, Mgr. Từ asked the novices: Have you ever seen the
Dominicans’ coat of arms? First, there is a shield with a white and a black sides. White
means light and black means darkness. Then there is a dog holding a torch in its mouth,
symbolizing a man keeping the truth of faith and fidelity to his vocation… faithfulness to
Don Bosco: A true and marvelous conference… that urged us to put to practice.
Those were exchanges of words, but perhaps it was the voice of the Holy Spirit that
resounded in our souls, and it was always the same in the divine horizon. On their way home,
although they had to climb the slope and were therefore very tired, both the novices and the
novice master were much enriched by this happy excursion.
The Oratory at Trạm Hành
Living in a house near the plot she had sold to us, and wanting to benefit the children in
the neighborhood, Mrs. Lelièvre encouraged them to go to the novitiate to play with the
novices on Sundays.
Thus the children from Trạm Hành came. Next came those from Phát Chi and then from
Cầu Đất. Bro. Hiên and the novices organized activities, games and snacks for them, aiming
primarily at connecting the Northern and Southern children. But this eventually failed
because at last there remained only the Phát Chi children.
A vacation of the “young of Lyon” at Trạm Hành
Fr. Cuisset took 24 young prisoners from Sài Gòn called the “young lions” for a vacation
in Trạm Hành, because there was a good climate and also because it was sponsored by the
President Munier of the Lyon Club and by the Social Department. But Fr. Cuisset began to
have heavy clouds in his heart since his work was not supported by the Superiors who only
wanted to accept only traditional educational apostolate. Anyhow, the presence of these boys
at Trạm Hành brought us a protection of some sort: the communists did not attack them while
the novices appeared to be their teachers.
The strategic hamlets
Rumors reached Trạm Hành about the political disturbances in Sài Gòn and Huế in
particular: there were demonstrations of students and Buddhist monks, including some who
burned themselves to protest. The demonstrations and guerrilla attacks chiefly aimed at the
President and his brother Nhu, as well as the Catholics who supported them. To counteract,
the government decided to build strategic hamlets6 surrounded by barbed wires and bamboos
for self defense and protection against the communists’ attacks by night.
Fr. Majcen could not know how to do it. To enclose a large plot of land of 8 hectares was
not easy thing, if not impossible because it was very costly and we didn’t have money. He
6 A creation of Mr. Nhu in 1962.
|
|
19.6 Page 186 |
▲back to top |
178 Chapter 29: Fr. Majcen Appointed Novice-Master and Acting Rector (1959-1960)
consulted the Provincial and was answered that our protection was Our Lady herself. Thus he
entrusted the whole house to her, while getting more dogs to keep watch and prohibiting
everybody to go out by night, the favorite time for the communist activities.
The feast days
The feast of St. Andrew, his patron, and the Immaculate Conception were solemnly
celebrated. On this occasion, a monument was built on which to put the statue of Our Lady of
Immaculate Conception that had been offered by Mgr. Bordeau to Fr. Cuisset and the latter in
turn offered to the Novitiate. The statue became the mighty protection and a center of
devotion for everybody.
The religious clothing ceremony
It was held on November 21 according to Fr. Tohill’s will. The novices’ parents and
relatives came to attend the occasion and they were very happy to see their sons live the
novitiate life.
3. The situation of Vietnam in the years 1961-62
News on the Vietnam War began to spread throughout the world.
As early as in 1960, the North Vietnam government had started to build the Hồ Chí Minh
trail crossing the Laotian forests to allow the communists to invade Đà Nẵng, Huế, Ban Mê
Thuột, Pleiku, and Kontum, etc… There began to have assassinations and villages burnt,
causing many Catholics to have to leave their houses and homeland as in the case of our
aspirant Đệ’s7 family.
John Kennedy, the US President and a Catholic, sent 72 thousand American soldiers to
Vietnam. The war then had not yet been bloody. A group of American soldiers came to Trạm
Hành with the purpose of setting a radar station for communication between Trạm Hành –
Bangkok – Washington. Fr. Majcen immediately understood their design to take our land for
the radar station with a very mean compensation.
A helicopter carrying President Diệm flied over our land and landed near the Cầu Đất tea
plantation. Then the President walked into our land, examined it and then proposed to the
Americans another hill nearby, telling them to let us Salesians in peace.
The Buddhists instigated by the communists wanted to overthrow President Diệm by
imprudent demonstrations. Even in the Cầu Đất village near us, there were secret meetings of
the communists.
In spite of the dangerous situation, the Salesians still worked zealously according to Don
Bosco’s teaching. This was a period for developing our Salesian devotion to Our Lady, so we
benefited every occasion such as the Saturdays, the Marian feastdays, the novena, the
performances in her honor, prayers, visits to the Blessed Sacrament, and the consecration to
Mary the Immaculate and Help of Christians.
Big feasts such as Christmas, Tết, Feast of Don Bosco, were solemnly celebrated, which
helped a great deal to animate the community. Mgr. Simon Hoà Hiền was very happy to
7 Who later became Mgr. Đệ, bishop of Thái Bình.
178
|
|
19.7 Page 187 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 28: Fr. Majcen’s Trip to Europe: May 1958 - May 1959 179
come with us, and we enjoyed delicious meals prepared by our novices.
|
|
19.8 Page 188 |
▲back to top |
CHAPTER 31: CONSOLIDATING THE SALESIAN SOCIETY IN
VIETNAM IN DISTURBED SITUATION (1963-68)
New arrangements
After consulting other religious superiors and bishops, and with his personal experience,
Fr. Majcen realized that the age for admission to the novitiate should be raised to 18 years
old. With the consent of Fr. Tohill, it was decided that the aspirants could only be admitted to
the novitiate after they had completed their secondary school (Grade III or Form 12). As a
consequence, in two consecutive years there were only coadjutor aspirants in the novitiate.
The Thủ Đức school also abolished Form 7 of secondary school and moved it to Trạm Hành,
and so the pupils in Trạm Hành became too numerous to accommodate. Therefore Fr. Bosco
Yau, who had just completed the construction of the technical school in Gò Vấp, was
entrusted with the construction in Trạm Hành of a wooden house with two floors, the upper
for the novices and the lower for the aspirants who would come from Thủ Đức.
On the conferences for the novices
Giving conferences is a most important task for a novice master. Fr. Majcen felt the need
to prepare the conferences better, so he decided to rearrange his conferences in conformity
with the instructions of Fr. Bellido, Catechist General in Turin.
Programs for 1963
This year, the Salesians in Vietnam decided to have a definite redimensioning of the
three houses of Gò Vấp, Thủ Đức and Trạm Hành. Gò Vấp prepared for the construction of
the technical school. Thủ Đức developed its secondary school and Trạm Hành enlarged the
novitiate and prepared for an apostolic school.
For the III Grade Secondary School, Fr. Isidore Lê Hướng was recognized by the State as
official principal of all the three schools of Thủ Đức, Gò Vấp and Trạm Hành. From then on,
we stopped being dependent on the Lasalle schools.
On the Formation
The pupils of the Trạm Hành apostolic school had a monthly conference, and a daily
good-night talk to help them make a choice in their life status. At the aspirantate, the
aspirants had weekly conferences and received observations from the superiors on their
conduct, studies and health. All this helped the superiors to have a better choice of the good
aspirants for Thủ Đức. In the year of postulantate, the postulants had weekly conference on
the Salesian life to help them in their choice of vocation.
Trạm Hành personnel
Fr. Majcen who had been rector from 1962, was re-appointed rector and novice master
and also rector of the apostolic school. Fr. Chong was prefect of studies and economer. As for
Fr. Bosco Yau, he only stayed in Trạm Hành until he finished the construction.
Trạm Hành Apostolic School
Trạm Hành Apostolic School was erected when a class from Thủ Đức was sent to Trạm
Hành. Thus the Trạm Hành Apostolic School gradually developed until it had all the three
Forms 7, 8, and 9 of secondary school like in Thủ Đức Apostolic School. The number of
180
|
|
19.9 Page 189 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 31: Consolidating Salesian Society in Vietnam in Disturbed Situation (1963-68) 181
these small aspirants rose to 140 and their presence brought a new life to Trạm Hành, with
the boys well dressed, gentle and cheerful, studious and pious, all this helped to attract many
people to Don Bosco’s educational system.
The closure of the Lyon section
This section had been started in 1957 by a three year contract between Fr. Cuisset and
Mr. Munier who sponsored it. The contract had been renewed in 1960 and expired in 1963.
Upon the contract expiration, the superiors decided not to renew it because it was a particular
apostolate needing specialists we did not have. The closure decision was a hard blow to Fr.
Cuisset and to his French friends as well as to Mgr. Seitz had been so interested in it and who
had considered it as a copy of his former Christ the King Boys Town of Hà Nội.
A change of Provincial
Fr. Tohill left the Philippines and came to Vietnam where he preached a retreat in
English to the Good Shepherd Sisters in Vĩnh Long. When he came to Gò Vấp, he received a
letter from Turin appointing him as Provincial of the Californian Province (USA). He stayed
for a few days in Vietnam then left for Hong Kong where he hand over the office to his
successor, Fr. Massimino, who was then rector at the Cheung Chau studentate where our
Vietnamese brothers were studying.
The new Provincial, Fr. Massimino, had been a novice master, a marvelous formator, an
open-minded man with modern ideas but at the same time very firm in the Salesian traditions
handed down from Don Bosco and Don Rua.
|
|
19.10 Page 190 |
▲back to top |
CHAPTER 32: AN OVERVIEW OF THE HOUSES OF THỦ ĐỨC, GÒ
VẤP, AND TRẠM HÀNH
To better comprehend Fr. Majcen’s accounts, it may be helpful to complement them by a
brief overview taken from Fifty Years of the Salesians of Don Bosco in Vietnam”1 with
reference to the houses of Thủ Đức and Gò Vấp.
DON BOSCO THỦ ĐỨC
Before becoming an aspirantate, a vocational nursery for the Church and the
Congregation, Don Bosco Thủ Đức had had a developmental evolution through God’s grace:
In January 1955, the Theresa Family was split into two groups: The first group
comprised about 70 bigger boys remained and worked in Ban Mê Thuột with Fr. Faugère; the
second group included a majority of smaller boys (about 200) left Ban Mê Thuột, together
with the Salesians, and went to settle in Thủ Đức, Sài Gòn.
The facilities of Don Bosco Thủ Đức were set on a large plot of sandy land at
approximately 20 kilometers from the center of Sài Gòn. In 1959, Don Bosco Thủ Đức
became the first Salesian aspirantate. The bigger boys followed the French programs at the
Lasalle Mossard School or the Vietnamese programs at the Bắc Ninh seminary nearby. The
smaller boys followed the French programs at the aspirantate.
The school year 1959-60. On September 1 1959, Don Bosco Thủ Đức sent the orphans to
Gò Vấp, so that there remained in Thủ Đức only 20 aspirants. Then 50 new aspirants were
enrolled, who were recommended by their parish priests without passing any examinations.
These new aspirants were partitioned into two classes: 30 in Huitième (equivalent to last year
of elementary school) and 20 in Septième (first year of secondary school).
About material facilities. Don Bosco Thủ Đức evolved with the enlargement and
building of the dormitory, study hall, classrooms and refectory. In this school year the
superiors also started the construction of the chapel and study hall to satisfy the increasing
number of aspirants. As regard personnel, Don Bosco Thủ Đức received two new assistants:
Bro. De Meulenaer(Thầy Ngọc), a Belgian, and Bro. Fantini (Thầy Phán), an Italian.
About formation of aspirants. Apart from their religious and scholastic formation, the
aspirants also received other training on sports, music, performances and open-air activities
by groups. They had every week a walk with their assistants across the neighborhood, and a
day of picnic every month. Life and activities in the aspirantate were organized in a cheerful
and familial atmosphere.
The school year 1960-61. We enrolled a new group with 50 boys divided into several
different classes. In particular in this school year, a portion of the house was set apart for the
first novitiate in Vietnam, with Fr. Majcen as novice master, Bro. Joseph Hiên as novice
assistant and nine novices. Thanks to this novitiate, every three months the aspirants enjoyed
a recreational performance staged by the novices with songs, music and especially plays with
educational contents.
The school year 1961-62. Every year the aspirante evolved in facilities and especially in
personnel and by the increase of aspirants. Fr. Ignatius Song, Fr. De Parscau (Cha Phán), Bro.
Lagger (Thầy Lạc), Bro. Phương (a Belgian), Bro. De MeulenaerJr. (Thầy Bích), Thầy Xuân
(a French), Thầy Luật (a Belgian), Fr. Tsang (Cha Trang), Fr. Aarts (Cha An, a Hollander),
1 An extract from 50 NĂM DON BOSCO VIỆT NAM (1952-2002), pp. 24-29; 120-124.
182
|
|
20 Pages 191-200 |
▲back to top |
|
|
20.1 Page 191 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 32: An Overview of the Houses of Thủ Đức, Gò Vấp, and Trạm Hành 183
… who came to Vietnam to serve at Don Bosco Thủ Đức. The number of aspirants rose to
200, divided into four groups: Besucco, Magone, Savio and Bosco.
The school year 1963-64. The aspirantate kept developing both in its facilities and
aspirants, while the studies and activities improved in their organization. The group of
aspirants (from 1958) graduated, some of whom entered the novitiate in Trạm Hành.
The school year 1964-65. The 1st group of philosophy students who graduated from
Hong Kong Studentate came back to make their practical training as assistants in Thủ Đức
and Gò Vấp, including Bros. Quý, Ty, Uyển.
Since 1965, admission to the aspirantate was made through a three days examination at
the aspirantate. Out of many applicants, only 50 were admitted as aspirants.
In 1966: To satisfy the need of receiving more aspirants, an apostolic school was erected
in Trạm Hành, accepting other aspirants for classes 6, 7, 8 and 9.
Recreational, physical and esthetic activities. There were more playgrounds for football,
basketball and volleyball, and classes for music, banda, and typing with practices and
competitions.
Since 1978, after Don Bosco Thủ Đức was taken by the State, it ceased to exist, closing a
historical period that had brought so many good vocations to the Church and the
Congregation.
DON BOSCO GÒ VẤP
In March 1955, the Theresa Family was moved from Ban Mê Thuột to Thủ Đức, Sài
Gòn. However, after a consensus from the superiors, it was decided to move to Gò Vấp, to
settle in the plots that had been bought by Fr. Cuisset through several stages. Don Bosco Gò
Vấp became a trade school while Don Bosco Thủ Đức was reserved as an aspirantate for the
training of candidates to the priesthood.
According to a report of the Provincial Delegate, Fr. Luigi Massimino (dated June 1
1963), there were in Gò Vấp 3 workshops for electricity, mechanics and carpentry. In
addition, there began an aspirantate for lay brothers with 100 aspirants.
By October 1963, the Gò Vấp house became complicate and had to split into three
separate works: the Don Bosco Family, the Don Bosco Technical School, and the Lay
Brother Aspirantate.
The school year 1964-65. The lay brother aspirantate began to have its own facilities
except the workshops.
The school year 1965-66. As the newly professed coadjutors could not go to Hong Kong
for their studies, their formation was entrusted to the Gò Vấp house.
The school year 1970-71. Gò Vấp became a Technical School.
The school year 1972-73. Gò Vấp was partitioned into 4 sectors: the Technical School,
the Lay Brother Aspirantate, the Orphanage, and the Hostel, all under a unique Rector. The
formation of lay brothers and bigger aspirants was moved to Thủ Đức.
The school year 1973-74. There remained only 3 sectors in two communities: one with
the combination of the Technical School and the Apostolic School, under one Rector; and the
other was the Don Bosco Family for the orphans.
|
|
20.2 Page 192 |
▲back to top |
184 Chapter 31: Consolidating Salesian Society in Vietnam in Disturbed Situation (1963-
68)
After May 1975, the Apostolic School closed. There remained only the Don Bosco
Family and the Delegation Office until 1977 when it had to be handed over to the Social
Welfare Service.
DON BOSCO TRẠM HÀNH
Novitiate Course III (1962-63)
Fr. Massimino decided to open the novitiate for the coadjutor novices in January. As the
new novices had not completed their technical training, he wanted them to receive at least a
formation for a kind of a ‘factotum’ coadjutor to respond to the instant needs of the houses.
Fr. Majcen, the novice master, prepared himself for this task. And so on January 21, the
novitiate started with the novices Thọ, Thuộc, Đường, Doãn and Nhàn.
Life in the novitiate was very cheerful and exciting, especially during feastdays. On Don
Bosco feast, the Đalat bishop came and celebrated Mass with us. He congratulated us for our
work and talked about the Vatican II Council of which he had attended the first session. He
also talked about Pope John XXIII and encouraged everybody to imitate the Pope’s
benevolence and kindness that was very necessary for today.
The novitiate ended with the profession of the vows of Bros. Thọ, Thuộc and Đường on
24 January 1963.
Disturbances in May
The Communist propaganda stirred up the resentment between the Catholics and the
Buddhists. The Catholics were allegiant to President Diệm who was himself a Catholic and
who supported the Catholics, while the Buddhists were against the President and was
supported by American ambassador Cabot Lodge. In Huế, on Buddha’s birthday, clashes
broke out between the Buddhists and the police, resulting in a number of arrests and
casualties. The Buddhists demonstrated their indignation against the Catholics who had
solemnly celebrated the silver jubilee of their bishop, Mgr. Ngô Đình Thục, elder brother of
the President.
This incident had a reverberation also in other regions, including Đà Lạt where bishop
Simon Hoà Hiền recommended all not to confound religion with politics. Of course at Trạm
Hành we always practice the politics of “Our Father”, the Father of all men and women, as
Don Bosco taught us.
Fr. Majcen at hospital
Later in the month, Fr. Majcen was brought into St. Paul’s hospital for a kidney
operation. He left hospital after three weeks and went to the FMA in Tam Hà for
convalescence. In the late June, he went with Fr. Duchesne to Đà Lạt. Upon arrival in Đà Lạt,
he was warmly welcomed by the Lasalle Brothers before returning to Trạm Hành.
184
|
|
20.3 Page 193 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 32: An Overview of the Houses of Thủ Đức, Gò Vấp, and Trạm Hành 185
A spiritual retreat and personnel change
The confreres had the annual spiritual retreat in Trạm Hành for its refreshing climate.
Assistant Hiên left for his philosophical studies at Bollengo. Coming to replace him was Fr.
Matthew King, ordained in 1962.
40th Anniversary of Fr. Majcen’s religious profession
The 40th Anniversary of Fr. Majcen’s religious profession was almost forgotten in
Vietnam, while abroad it was remembered by articles in English and Slovenian on several
magazines.
The coup d’etat
Harmful propaganda of the Buddhists and Americans against President Diệm began.
Mgr. Thục was in Rome attending Vatican II Council, while Mrs. Nhu was in USA to make
clear the President’s rule. Fr. Cuisset had tried his best and succeeded to have the President
sign the papers legalizing Don Bosco’s properties on October 15 1963.
On All Saints day 1963, the two brothers Diệm and Nhu were in Đà Lạt, attended Mass
at the former Benedictine monastery, then hurried to go back to the Presidential Palace in Sài
Gòn. The President refused to resign, his palace was attacked and surrounded by soldiers.
They fled into the palace’s tunnel and secretly went to Chợ Lớn, to the house of a Chinese
named Mr. Mã where they passed the night and in the morning attended Mass at a Chinese
church run by the MEP fathers. They fervently received holy communion and prayed long.
On their leaving the church, they were arrested by a captain named Xuân who pushed them
into an armored car where they were killed. Their bodies were brought to St. Paul’s hospital
and were examined by a French doctor. Sr. Francesia told that their bodies got many bullets.
The Catholics were very sad and astonished.
Everywhere people offered Masses for the late President. General Dương Văn Minh, a
Buddhist, nicknamed Big or Pig Minh, became President.
Several days later, there was news on the radio announcing the assassination in Dallas of
the US President John Kennedy, who together with Cabot Lodge were responsible for Diệm’s
death. During that time, the bishops and cardinals who were attending Vatican II in Rome
solemnly celebrated Mass for John Kennedy, which caused Mgr. Thục, Bishop of Huế, to
criticize them for not having done the same for his brother the President Ngô Đình Diệm. He
himself said a Mass for his brother but very simply and without the attendance of other
Vietnamese bishops! That gave him a great shock and was a wound that would never be
healed! Unfortunately, he was later excommunicated by the Holy See. We Salesians, in
particular Fr. Mario, lost a great lover of Don Bosco… RIP!
Fr. Cuisset left the Congregation
To celebrate St. Andrew’s feastday, Fr. Majcen’s Patron, on November 11 1963, Fr.
Cuisset went to Trạm Hành and offered two excellent liquors. He talked about many things
and many projects, as if he wanted to share all his feelings in his heart; but when he was
invited to give a goodnight talk and hear confessions, he refused. The next morning, he bid
farewell to Fr. Majcen and it was for the last time they saw each other. He silently left the
Congregation to part for another region forever. It was a shock for everybody. As Fr. Mario
Acquistapace later commented, “It is a mystery of human heart!” It was heard that he later
became a professor in Algeria, and several years later, the Provincial Office in Hong Kong
received from the Algerian episcopal office a short notification announcing that “Fr. Cuisset
|
|
20.4 Page 194 |
▲back to top |
186 Chapter 31: Consolidating Salesian Society in Vietnam in Disturbed Situation (1963-
68)
has been granted a dispensation from his priestly ministry to return to secular life.” Thus the
Lyon sector in Gò Vấp was closed, some of the boys moved to the Gò Vấp school and some
others to Trạm Hành.
News about Fr. Massimino
Fr. Massimino also decided to move 20 smaller boys of the Lyon sector to Trạm Hành,
where Fr. King with his fatherly love took care of them, educated them and found ways to
bring them back to their families. One of them who had stolen money and his mother had
asked the police to take him to prison. Fr. Cuisset saved him and then Fr. King also
succeeded to change his mother’s heart to receive him back.
After the Tết, Fr. Massimino went back to Hong Kong, and on his flight one of the
engines of his airplane was on fire, but the pilot and crew members managed to control the
fire and the airplane landed safely at the Hong Kong airport in the midst of 14 fire trucks…
The confreres came to pick him home like the prophet Elias on his fire carriage.
Novitiate Course IV (1963-64)
The IV novitiate course began on August 16 1963 with two novices: Bro. Joseph Cheung
Koon Wing, a Chinese, a graduated from Aberdeen Technical School, Hong Kong, and Bro.
Vincent Chuyên, an elementary school graduated but who had good dispositions for a
Salesian coadjutor. Although there were only two novices, Fr. Majcen’s tasks doubled
because he had to give conferences in Chinese to Bro. Wing and in Vietnamese to Bro.
Chuyên. The novitiate ended on August 16 1964 with the profession of both brothers: the
Chinese Joseph Cheung Koon Wing and the Vietnamese Vincent Chuyên.
186
|
|
20.5 Page 195 |
▲back to top |
CHAPTER 33: NOVITIATE COURSES V-VI-VII (1964-67) – VATICAN
II’S REFORMS – POLITICAL CHANGES
1. Novitiate Courses V (1964-65), VI (1965-66), and VII (1966-7)
These were consecutive novitiate courses and resulted in 30 newly professed (12+12+6).
The events regarding these novitiate courses were reported below but not in a chronological
order.
2. The Reform and its problems
Vatican II promulgated a decree calling for an aggiornamento from every religious
congregation. Our Special General Chapter had discussed the matter thoroughly, but Fr.
Majcen did not know how to implement his conferences and what guidance he had to give in
the novitiate. Among the confreres, Fr. De Parscau, a French, and Frs. Aarts and Donders,
Hollanders, and Bro. De Marchi, an Italian, were for a radical reform. Fr. Majcen consulted
some bishops (e.g., Mgr. Từ, Mgr. Hiền, Mgr. Đoàn, Mgr. Chi), and also the Provincials of
the Franciscans and the Cistercians, then he made up his mind: Reforms were necessary, but
they must be done without compromising the spirit of Don Bosco, a historical Don Bosco but
also a ‘Don Bosco with the times’. However he did not want to make any changes before
receiving clear instructions from the Superiors.
The vacations and travel difficulty
During summer time, the confreres went to Trạm Hành for spiritual retreats and
vacations. Sometimes the aspirants also went there for their vacations. It once happened that
the route between Sài Gòn and Đà Lạt was cut for several days, forcing the confreres to go
back to Sài Gòn by air. And it was very difficult to find means to take 59 aspirants back to
Thủ Đức. The sending of the newly professed confreres to Hong Kong for their studies also
met with difficulty in getting a passport and a visa for Hong Kong.
The professions of the vows
As usual, the professions of the vows were always organized in the chapel of the
Immaculate Conception in Thủ Đức. The confreres, the parents of the newly professed
confreres, the pupils and the aspirants of the three houses of Thủ Đức, Gò Vấp and Trạm
Hành, all attended at the ceremony.
3. The Apostolic School of Trạm Hành
This school developed into five classes: two 7th classes with 140 pupils, two 8th classes
with 140 and one 9th classe with 70. The total number was 350 boys. Fr. Tchong, the Rector,
had rows of houses constructed including the chapel, the theatre, the study hall, the
classrooms and the dormitory. Taking charge of the kitchen were the Chợ Quán Lovers of the
Cross Sisters.
4. The Novitiate of Trạm Hành
The novices, apart from attending the conferences given by Fr. Majcen, also helped to
assist the aspirants under Fr. King’s guidance. They were very smart in organizing feasts with
songs, artistic performances and theatrical plays… They also practiced making discourses
187
|
|
20.6 Page 196 |
▲back to top |
188 Chapter 33: Novitiate Courses V-VI-VII (1964-67) and Vatican II’s Reforms
and ‘sermonettes’. Besides, they took care of the cleaning and maintenance of houses, grew
vegetables and did the gardening.
Fr. Majcen, Fr. Tchong and Fr. King took turns to preach the conferences and Sunday
homelies to the aspirants. These were as devoted and disciplined as in the beginning of Don
Bosco’s Oratory. Other tasks and occupations were smartly done by Bros. Doãn, Thọ and
Thuộc.
Fr. Musso as confessor
Until Fr. Musso came, the aspirants and confreres had had to go to the nearby parish for
confession. After he came, he always faithfully sat at the confessional to hear their
confessions. He had a special character, but a great heart. His eyes were so poor that he could
see very little, but his feet were very agile, helping him to travel a lot. He speak a very special
Vietnamese so that the more he spoke, the less people understood what he said.
But for the poor people, Fr. Musso had a great heart which urged him to find funds for
them, especially for those in Trạm Hành and Cầu Đất. For this, he never hesitated to write
letters to whatever individuals or organizations he knew, such as to FAO, to the Italian
government, even to the US President, and evidently he never got any replies. Wanting to do
everything he could for the poor, he approached also the civil and military authorities who
generally did not know what he wanted. Fr. Majcen and even the bishop wanted to dissuade
him from such activities but he never gave up. He was content with being “the voice of one
shouting in the wilderness” in behalf of the poor and miserable. People, whether communists
or not, all had sympathy for him. Anyhow, Fr. Musso was really an extraordinary saint with a
golden heart. He died on October 10 1978 in Hong Kong, at the house of the Sisters of the
Poor! God give him eternal peace!
Helping the miserable
On his sixtieth birthday celebration (1904-64), Fr. Majcen wanted Fr. Cappelletti and the
American Cooperators to pay more attention to the victims of the bloody war in Vietnam.
Mrs. Rosa Maria, drawing on Fr. Majcen’s letters, wrote a book on the Salesians in Vietnam
entitled “Children Welcome” in which she spoke of Fr. Dupont’s activities to save the
abandoned children, the Orphan Village in Hà Nội, the young detainees who were saved from
the prisons, and other SOS works in Vietnam (Chapter 15). The author also spoke of the
works of Mr. Gmeiner del Kinderdorf who had a relationship with Fr. Majcen. Later, Fr.
Teresio Bosco wrote another book entitled “Architects for a Better World”1, mentioning the
activities of Fr. Mario, Fr. Cuisset and Fr. Majcen. Fr. Majcen wrote to the Aids Office in
New Rochelle to ask Fr. Cappelletti for help. The latter immediately sent him 1000 US$ as an
initial aid, with which Fr. Majcen could help some war victims who had lost their houses and
especially the orphans. And Fr. Cappelletti continued to help by finding other benefactors or
sponsors for the poor in Vietnam. In Spain, Fr. Bellido was also interested in providing the
aspirants with scholarships, especially the aspirants who had lost their parents.
The act of charity towards all poor people without discrimination resulted in the novitiate
being loved by everybody. Even the guerrillas never did any harm to the novitiate.
1 Original title: Architetti del mondo megliore.
188
|
|
20.7 Page 197 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 33: Novitiate Courses V-VI-VII (1964-67) and Vatican II’s Reforms 189
The Daughters of Mary Help of Christians
The Daughters of Mary Help of Christians had bought the former Vinh seminary where
they built the Linda Center for the children’s upbringing and education. They also had their
aspirants and catechists serve the parishes, and transformed their house into an Oratory. Fr.
Majcen still kept some photos of a newly professed FMA, Sr. Trần Thị Xuân Hiền, of an
aspirant and of the signing ceremony of the Linda building just built by architect Tống Dụ
Quang.
|
|
20.8 Page 198 |
▲back to top |
CHAPTER 34: PROBLEMS REGARDING ADMISSION TO THE
NOVITIATE (1964-67)
Admission to the Novitiate
According to the Constitutions, the Provincial Council is responsible for the admission of
candidates to the novitiate. But in reality, as the Provincial councilors in Hong Kong did not
actually know or see the candidates personally, the voting for or against anyone was very
paradoxical. The only superiors who knew them were the members of the Vietnamese
Provicial Delegation such as Frs. Mario, Majcen, Generoso Bogo and Tchong.
In addition, there were some candidates who wanted to become Salesians chiefly in order
to avoid military service, so it was difficult to discern who had a true vocation, and to
mistakenly reject a candidate might mean to reject an important call from God. And so it was
decided that we followed Don Bosco’s practice, that was to try all and to retain what was
good. Moreover, they would benefit from our education to become good catholics and good
citizen. Indeed, from our education, many of our aspirants and novices after leaving us have
become useful and respectable men in society and have remained our dear past pupils until
now (1986).
In practice, our novitiate formation program differed from one course to another, so for
conveniency we give here lists of novices from courses V to VII, and briefly describe the
educative methods used at that time.
Novitiate Course V (1964-65)
Clerics (professed)
1. Phạm Hoàng Bá
2. Nguyễn Văn Đệ
3. Nguyễn Văn Khi
4. Trần Đình Cường Phùng
5. Hoàng Xuân Viện
Coadjutors (professed)
6. Nguyễn Văn Chấn
7. Nguyễn Dậu
8. Nguyễn Ngọc Huệ
9. Phạm Văn Thọ
10. Nguyễn Văn Thường
11. Hoàng Văn Xiêm
12. Nguyễn Văn Bi
Novices (not professed)
13. Nguyễn Công Hoàng (cleric)
14. Phúc (coadjutor)
190
|
|
20.9 Page 199 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 34: Problems Regarding Admission to the Novitiate (1964-67) 191
Novitiate Course VI (1965-66)
Clerics (professed)
1. Fr. Hoàng Phú Bảo
2. Nguyễn Hưng Đạo
3. Phạm Đình Khơi
4. Nguyễn Văn Linh
5. Hoàng Văn Phú
6. Lê Hùng Sơn
7. Nguyễn Văn Thêm
8. Nguyễn Văn Tuân
9. Trần Văn Viện
Coadjutors (professed)
10. Lê Hữu tôn
11. Huỳnh Truyền
12. Nguyễn Văn Tỵ
Novices (not professed)
13. Chân
14. Dần
Novitiate Course VII (1966-67)
Clerics (professed)
1. Vũ Ngọc Đồng
2. Đỗ Tiến Hiệp
3. Phan Thành Thuyết
Coadjutors (professed)
4. Nguyễn Văn Hiển
5. Thục
6. Nguyễn Văn Tuân
Novices (not professed)
7. Tâm
To the masters of spiritual life, does Vatican II bring Light or confusion, or a battle
between the old and the new?
In her search for Don Bosco’s genuine charism, the Salesian Congregation has lost 2000
of her members! It was a disorder that rose in the Salesians, in the intellectual members in
particular who drew others backward. Even the Salesians in Vietnam were affected by a wave
of inappropriate theories originated from Holland to Italy and from the media. Fr. Majcen felt
the need of a religious renewal in liturgy, in the religious rules, in the instructions in
novitiate, in life and in the Salesian apostolate according to Vatican II and to the Salesian
General Chapter. Furthermore, there was a need to adapt to the Vietnamese context to
become both international and in the same time specifically Vietnamese.
|
|
20.10 Page 200 |
▲back to top |
192 Chapter 33: Novitiate Courses V-VI-VII (1964-67) and Vatican II’s Reforms
After the closure of Vatican Council II on December 8 1965
Against the true interpretations on the Council, the so-called progressivists thought they
were illuminated and criticized the whole reality while their new trends weren’t based on any
secure foundations…1
What to do and what to abolish?2… It seems that the simple norm of the naturally
prudent Fr. Luvisotto can apply also in this context: “Who proceeds slowly goes safely.”3
This was also the answer of the Vietnamese bishop to Fr. Majcen himself, and even the
Provincial, Fr. Massimino, in his highest responsibility… held the old views until we
received clear and considered instructions.
Fr. Vode, a friend of Fr. Majcen, sent him from Italy some new and updated books in
which was reflected the more considered and appropriate directions for the formation of
novices in Vietnam after the Vatican II’s reform.
Fr. Braga’s visit
On March 1 1965 Fr. Braga went to Việt Nam to congratulate Fr. Majcen on the
development of the Salesian works in Việt Nam. Fr. Braga was a patriarch of Vietnamese
works. It was he who had been to Việt Nam several times between 1934 and 1949, who
sowed the first seed for the Salesian work called the René Robin Orphanage of Fr. Dupont in
1941-45, and the second work in Hà Nội in 1952. He sincerely advised Fr. Majcen to
carefully select the candidates for Salesian life because, as he said, “These candidates will be
the foundation for the Congregation in this country,” and showing the statue of the
Immaculate Conception he recommended him to cultivate in the novices a devotion to the
Holy Virgin and to imitate her virtues.”
Inauguration of the novitiate chapel
Following Fr. Majcen’s criterion, the simple chapel had been built steps by steps in the
measure that the workers and funds were available. It was blessed in October 1965, on the
World Mission Sunday, accompanied by an exhibition on missions that attracted the people
and also the novices. On the feast of Christ the King, for the first time the Mass was
concelebrated in the chapel by Fr. Majcen, Fr. King and Fr. Bảo who was a novice that year.
The clothing and badge wearing ceremony at Thủ Đức
Being informed of the presence in Thủ Đức of Fr. Tohill, former Provincial and now a
member of the Superior Council, Fr. Majcen obtained from an American officer 17 seats on a
military airplane for himself, Fr. King and 15 novices to go to Sài Gòn. At Thủ Đức, 7
novices received clerical habits from Fr. Tohill, 7 other received Salesian badge and a priest
novice named Michael Bảo received the blessed candle. The ceremony was attended by the
aspirants from Thủ Đức and Gò Vấp in a solemn and joyful atmosphere with melodious
sacred hymns mingled with the bombing and the sounding machine guns at a distance of
about 10 kilometers.
1 Dopo quella conclusion del 8.XII 1965—è la voce della Chiesa—e del Vaticano II, illuminati progressisti ne
hanno avuto tante critiche, contra tutto presente e nessuna base assai sigura della nuova direzione.
2 Quid faciendum ed quid omittendum…
3 Chi fa adagio, va sano.
192
|
|
21 Pages 201-210 |
▲back to top |
|
|
21.1 Page 201 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 34: Problems Regarding Admission to the Novitiate (1964-67) 193
Fr. Majcen attended a spiritual retreat in Hong Kong
In 1967 Fr. Majcen went to Hong Kong to attend a retreat and a meeting of Salesian
rectors. On this occasion he met again Fr. Geder and Fr. Pavlin (a Slovenian Cistercian) who
were working at the Tang King Po School. He also went to see the Vietnamese clerics who
were studying at the Cheung Chau Studentate of Philosophy.
The translation of the Constitutions and Regulations (1965-66)
As early as in 1960 Fr. Majcen with the collaboration of Bro. Hiên and the novices had
started to translate the Constitutions. With the help of the novice Fr. Bảo, he made a second
revision of the translation. Fr. Majcen always required a more and more precise translation
regarding terminology to reflect Don Bosco’s charism faithfully. This was a tiring, long and
necessary task in order to convey the deep meaning of the Salesian spirit. With the
preparation for the celebration of the 400th anniversary of the birth of St. Francis de Sales
(21-8-1957-1967), a favorite saint of Fr. Majcen, he gave a conference on the Filotea and on
the imitation of Don Bosco’s examples.
Fr. Majcen’s missionary ideal
In a valley near Trạm Hành there was a hamlet of the K’Ho ethnics where their chieftain
had asked the MEP Fathers to baptize about 150 persons including some other people from
other hamlets. The missionaries ministered their baptism through these stages: a burning out
of all their superstitious things, a rather long period of catechesis and then a solemn
profession of the Creed and other prayers. In the last phase, the Bishop came for the
baptismal rites. In the presence of Fr. Majcen and the missionaries, the Bishop used the K’Ho
language to ask the candidates about their intentions, then he and other priests baptized all
these 150 people. It was really a happy and meaningful feast in a war-torn Vietnam.
Fr. Majcen profited of this occasion to teach his novices on how to prepare themselves to
become missionaries to these ethnics. Then, on the advice of Mgr. Simon Hoà Hiền, Fr.
Majcen took his novices to some other ethnic villages near Đà Lạt and talked with the MEP
missionaries. The MEP missionaries had created the K’Ho alphabet and used it to translate
the Missal, the Bible and other prayers in K’Ho. The Protestant missionaries also did well in
this connection.
It was a great consolation for Fr. Majcen when he saw that, from 1975 onward, three of
his novices were working for the ethnics. Although this work was interrupted for some time,
it has been resumed and gone on until now.
At present, the mission for the ethnics is one of the primary objectives of the Salesian
works in Vietnam.
|
|
21.2 Page 202 |
▲back to top |
CHAPTER 35: BLOODY CONFRONTATION BETWEEN THE
NATIONALISTS AND THE COMMUNISTS (1964-68)
1. The mi l i tary coups – the preparati ons for the war
After Diệm’s assassination, there followed a series of coups effected by the military men,
beginning with General ‘Big’ Minh, then with Gen. Khánh and eventually with Gen. Thiệu
who became the last President for the II Republic of Vietnam for a relatively long period
before the Communists finally took control over the whole of Vietnam. In the meanwhile Hồ
Chí Minh had been sending troops and ammunitions through a secret route later called the
‘Hồ Chí Minh trail” which ran across the jungles between Vietnam and Laos to intrude into
the South. The communists began to take control over many regions, making the routes very
dangerous and insecure.
Every month Fr. Tchong used to go down to Sài Gòn to buy rice and he often met and
was arrested by the communist soldiers. It was only by God’s grace and and his particular
Chinese-Vietnamese language that he was safe to return to his poor boys in Trạm Hành with
his food and stuff truck.
2. The taxes
The Trạm Hành novitiate was free from all kinds of taxes. On the contrary, other rich
people had to pay a lot of taxes both to the legal government of RVN and to the communist
guerrillas. That was a necessary condition for them to live in peace. Of course the tea and
rubber plantation companies had to pay these taxes, and even the Châu Sơn Trappist
monastery had to give their cows to feed the guerrillas.
3. The translation task
Apart from his many regular duties, Fr. Majcen also set apart his time to translate
Salesian books into Vietnamese and to write about his missionary experiences in China and
then in Vietnam, as well as the accounts on the work of Fr. Dupont in Hà Nội until his
martyrdom, then the work of Mgr. Seitz in Ba Vì and in the Christ the King Boys Town in Hà
Nội. He also translated meditation texts on Don Bosco and the booklets on the lives of some
distinguished Salesians (Fr. Olive, Mgr. Cimatti, Mgr. Matthias, etc…). Although the
translations were still far from perfect, he thought they were indispensable to know and to
deepen the knowledge on Don Bosco’s charism.
4. Diabolic weapons
The American army kept strengthening with their bombing and shelling. As a counter-
attack, the communists had recourse to their diabolic weapons: corrupting moral lives of the
people, using beauty traps and opium, all proved to be very effective weapons.
5. Confusion of ideas
The long war had resulted in the people a confusion in ideas and viewpoints. Here and
there appeared protestations and articles demanding the withdrawal of the Americans and a
Buddhist nun even burned herself as a protest. Even the universities were confused by the
propaganda of Sartre’s thoughts. Fortunately, the University of Đà Lạt was exempt from
these influences because the professors were almost all Catholics who only taught their
students orthodox doctrines.
194
|
|
21.3 Page 203 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 34: Problems Regarding Admission to the Novitiate (1964-67) 195
6. Why to receive so many aspirants?
There were some criticisms against our approach in the admission of aspirants. The
criticisms were about the great number of our aspirants: apart from the novices and professed
confreres in formation, there were also 200 aspirants at Trạm Hành, and 300 aspirants at Thủ
Đức and Gò Vấp. Why so many? Fr. Majcen answered: With that number of vocations we
could have a good selection, and of those who would not become Salesians, many would
become “Salesians in the world.” In fact, most of our pupils have turned out to be forever our
good and dear past pupils.
7. Novitiate Course VIII (1967-68)
Clerics (professed)
1. Joseph Hoàng Văn Hinh
2. John B. Đinh Tiến Hướng
3. Joseph Phạm Văn Hữu
4. Jerome Nguyễn Đức Mạnh
5. Joseph Nguyễn Văn Quang
6. Peter Đỗ Văn Thuấn
7. Peter Hoàng Đình Thuỵ
8. Anthony Nguyễn Văn Vỵ
Clerics (not professed)
9. Peter Hoàng Hữu Đức
10. Joseph Nguyễn Trung Tâm
11. Joseph Trần Duy Thắng
The novices were all clerics. There were no coadjutor novices this year because we had had
enough “factotum coadjutors”, so at present we were preparing the coadjutor candidates in
Gò Vấp by sending them to technical colleges in order to get a recognized diploma as a
requirement for the Industrial and Technical School we would open in the future.
Out of the 11 novices, 8 were professed and 3 left at the end of the novitiate. Among the
professed, at present (1986) 5 were priests (including one who was imprisoned right after his
ordination as a witness of the faith) and 3 were deacons waiting (for how long?) to be
ordained because of the government restrictions regarding ordination. Hope for a change!
8. The ‘Tết Mậu Thân’ bloody events (1968)
Political context
In those times Vietnam was under three flags: The Hồ Chí Minh government in the
North under the red flag with a yellow star; and its puppet government in the South called the
“Front of Liberation of South Vietnam” under the red and blue flag, headed by lawyer
Nguyễn Hữu Thọ with its headquarter in Long An; and the government of the Republic of
Vietnam under the yellow flag with three stripes, with its capital Sài Gòn, led by President
Nguyễn Văn Thiệu and Vice President Nguyễn Cao Kỳ, after a free election in September
1967.
The US Army was responsible for the protection of the cities and towns where there
were many refugees from the North and the national roads. Under God’s protection, the
Salesians lived and worked quite safely.
|
|
21.4 Page 204 |
▲back to top |
196 Chapter 33: Novitiate Courses V-VI-VII (1964-67) and Vatican II’s Reforms
Fr. Majcen’s celebration at Gò Vấp
On January 21 1968, Fr. Majcen went to Sài Gòn for the 15th anniversary of Salesian
works in Vietnam and of the coming of the rectorship of Fr. Majcen (1953-1968). The
celebration was organized in Gò Vấp with the presence of Mgr. Seitz, founder of the work for
the orphans at Ba Vì in 1943. About 500 past pupils attended the event. Mgr. Seitz retold the
story of the works in Ba Vì-Hà Nội, as well as in Ban Mê Thuột, exhorting the pupils to love
and help one another, as Christ has loved us, while Fr. Majcen recommended everybody to
live their profound Christian life as they had been taught in our schools. The feast was
celebrated in an atmosphere of great joy and brotherly love without anybody being suspicious
of the Damocles’s sword hanging over their head.
The disguised funerals
While at Gò Vấp, Fr. Majcen was wondering why outside there were so many funerals
that took place solemnly with music and with the presence of the Buddhist monks. It was said
that it was customary for the Vietnamese to keep their dead at home and wait for the good
hour to take them to the cemetery before the Tết (Vietnamese New Year). It turned out that,
as Fr. Majcen later discovered, there were no dead body in those caskets which, instead, were
filled with weapons and ammunitions that were so secretly transported.
The tragic events – the Huế massacre
Fr. Majcen was notified by Fr. Hoá, Phát Chi parish priest, that on 30 January 1968 (29
Tết), the communists launched a general attack on all the cities of the South, and Đà Lạt city
was bombarded on 31 night (30 Tết). All the transportation services by air and on land were
interrupted. People on the highland were cut off with the outside. Fr. Generoso who had just
finished his retreat preaching in Trạm Hành could not go back to Sài Gòn. Fr. Hoá told Fr.
Majcen that on TV he saw thousands of refugees flocking into our houses of Thủ Đức and Gò
Vấp, where our Salesians provided them with food, shelter and other necessities.
In Trạm Hành, where the supply of food and electricity was very difficult, people could
do nothing but pray for the safety of the confreres, the pupils and everybody. At about
midnight of February 12, bombing was heard from Cầu Đất, about 5 kilometers from our
house at Trạm Hành. The communists attacked the RVN Army post but they were pushed
back by the American soldiers who protected the radio broadcast station nearby.
In Huế, the communist attack started on the 2 Tết (31 January 1968). On the 3 Tết, the
counterattack from the RVN Army and US Army pressed the communist soldiers inside the
city and entirely swept them out on February 23 1968.
Apart from the confusion and disturbances of the war, there was the horrible scene of the
many Huế inhabitants killed by the communists and who were found buried in mass graves in
the schools of Gia Hội, An Ninh Hạ, Vân Chí, in the pagodas of Từ Quang, Theravada, at the
Seminary, at the tombs of King Tự Đức, Gia Long, etc… They were killed by many cruel
ways: their bodies were found bound together and burned, exploded by bombs, their heads
cut off, shot or broken by gun-stock, by spade or axes… It was estimated that six thousand
people had been killed in Huế.
Douglas Pike, in The Viet Cong Strategy of Terror, has recorded:
196
|
|
21.5 Page 205 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 34: Problems Regarding Admission to the Novitiate (1964-67) 197
“The first discovery of communist victims came in the Gia Hoi High School yard, on
February 26; eventually 170 bodies were recovered. In the next few months 18 additional
grave sites were found, the largest of which were Tang Quang Tu Pagoda (67 victims), Bai
Dau (77), Cho Thong area (an estimated 100), the imperial tombs area (201), Thien Ham
(approximately 200), and Don Gi (approximately 100). In all almost 1,200 were found in
hastily dug, poorly concealed graves. At least half of these showed clear evidence of atrocity
killings: hand wired behind backs, rags stuffed in the mouths, bodies contorted but without
wounds (indicating burial alive). The other nearly 600 bore wound marks but there were no
way of determining whether they died by firing squad or incidental to the battle. Among these
victims were three West German doctors, a medical technician who was the wife of one of
the doctors, and two French Catholic priests, one of whom was buried alive.” (p. 27)
And he concluded: “The killing in Hue that added up to the Hue Massacre far exceeded
in numbers any atrocity by the communists previously in South Viet-Nam.” (p. 31)
9. A return to normal life
The communists’ attack in Huế lasted for a fortnight before they were completely driven
deeply into the forests. It had failed but its horrible consequences still remained. Life returned
to the normal with the transportation services opened again. Fr. Bogo could fly back to
Saigon and Fr. Tchong could take the smaller aspirants from Sài Gòn to Trạm Hành.
10. Our Lady of Fatima
As an act of thanksgiving and expiation, we effectively cultivated the devotion to Our
Lady of Fatima whose statue was on a pilgrim tour across the South.
|
|
21.6 Page 206 |
▲back to top |
CHAPTER 36: IN REMEMBRANCE OF TWO DISTINGUISHED
SALESIANS: BRO. JOSEPH BORRI AND FR. GUERINO LUVISOTTO
1. Bro. Joseph Borri, a golden heart for the orphan and sick boys (1957-1966)
Coadjutor Borri had a predilection for the suffering and sick children. Don Bosco and
Mary Help of Christians, always present in the Congregation, had formed in him a golden
heart for the children as they had done to the good lay confreres in the beginning of the
Congregation. He took care of the poor boys and gave them everything he had, especially
stood by them night and days when they had a fever or fell gravely ill. He was a special
devotee of Mary with his rosary always in hand.
Bro. Borri’s service in Vietnam
Bro. Borri had been working in in Shanghai and then in Macao before he came in
Vietnam. Following the reports on the illnesses and diseases affected by the children in
Vietnam, he asked Fr. Mario Acquistapace, the Provincial, to send him to Vietnam to live as
a poor among the poor, and especially to offer his life for the poor sick children for whom he
always showed a special predilection.
During the bloody war in the North and the evacuation to Ban Mê Thuột, he gave a great
helping hand to Fr. Faugère, MEP, who with his delicate heart and with the material means
obtained from the French constantly took good care of the sick, poor children, victims of the
war which had rendered them homeless, orphan and miserable.
Fr. Majcen and Fr. Cuisset had bought the old bus station in Gò Vấp on which there was
a small house with several rooms. Fr. Tchong put the house in place and changed a room into
an infirmary for the sick boys. Bro. Borri brought in the room some beds for the use of the
sick boys during the day, and some beds in other rooms for the sick who needed to stay in
bed longer. He also arranged for an outside doctor who came now and then to monitor their
illnesses and gave Bro. Borri necessary instructions for the care of the sick. He demanded a
strict silence in the infirmary, kept hygiene and took the temperature, etc… In other words, he
acted as a real doctor, as we called him such.
During his first years as Rector of Gò Vấp, Fr. Majcen often came to visit him in the
infirmary. Bro. Borry told him everything, even about the disorders there. In particular, he
told him of the state of the souls of his small patients. Fr. Majcen saw him a true nurse as Don
Bosco wanted. Bro. Borri also wanted to imitate the nurses who had taken care of Fr. Olive,
Fr. Beltrami and Fr. Scartorishi, among others. But he was really indignant if any boys
wanted to stay in the infirmary out of slothfulness in order to avoid work or study.
Fr. Majcen’s appraisal of Bro. Borri
Fr. Majcen had been Bro. Borri’s superior between 1956 and 1959. After he left for
Slovenia and then became a novice master at Thủ Đức and Trạm Hành, he had very few
opportunities to see him except on some rare occasions when he had a visit to Gò Vấp. On
such occasions, Bro. Borry was very happy to see Fr. Majcen and to tell him so many things
about his difficulties or successes.
Externally, Bro. Borri’s behavior described a true son of Don Bosco: his exactitude made
him suffer when he saw anything not conformable to the principles he had been taught in the
beginning of his Salesian life. As a consequence he showed himself to be rigid towards the
198
|
|
21.7 Page 207 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 36: In Remembrance of Bro. Joseph Borri and Fr. Guerrino Luvisotto 199
so-called ‘modern’ Salesians. He had an antipathy with the young confreres who had
progressist ideas… On the other hand, he had a golden heart toward the poor sick children
just as Don Bosco wished. He was very displeased seeing some young modern priests getting
in the infirmary and taking care of the sick children… And it was a real shock for him when
he heard that the Rector had bought him a ticket to go for a vacation in his country, implying
that he would be forever separated from his dear children.
And then we received news of his death. As a novice master, every year on the day of the
dead I always reminded my novices—especially those who knew him—to pray for him who
until death had always loved the poor and suffering Vietnamese children. Through many
years, on the anniversary of his death (March 7 1966), Bro. Borri was always remembered by
the all the Salesians in Vietnam for his golden heart toward his dear sick children.
And it’s certain that he will always be in the hearts of those whom he loved so much.
Let’s pray that now in heaven he continue to help alleviating the pains and sufferings of the
Vietnamese children.
2. Fr. Guerino Luvisotto (1957-1976)
Fr. Luvisotto’s early mission in Shanghai
Fr. Majcen knew Fr. Luvisotto for the first time in 1946 when he came from Kunming to
Shanghai for a Provincial Chapter after World War II. Fr. Braga, the Provincial, invited the
Chapter members for an excursion to Nesiang where he happened to know this ‘son of
Mary’1 and also of his mother Teresa. He was then responsible for agriculture and raising of
chicken, rabbits and fish. This would also be his occupation when he came in Việt Nam in
1957. He was very good at telling stories and amusing people with his accounts on the hens
… in brief, he was a strong, stout man who worked tirelessly and with a venerable beard.
In charge of the monastery in Đà Lạt
The nuncio Caprio asked us about our project for the Salesians in Vietnam. We intended
to have a work in Đà Lạt for our novitiate, a vacation house for our confreres, and a future
studentate. As we didn’t have enough money, the Holy See granted us one million francs.
With the money, Fr. Mario and Fr. Majcen bought the Benedictine monastery and sent Fr.
Luvisotto and Bro. Nardin together with some boys there to guard it and taking care of the
garden. A practical man, Fr. Luvisotto managed to create a perfect atmosphere for studies.
The purchase of the French bus station in Gò Vấp
As we had not enough staff because the Italian confreres had not come yet, we couldn’t
start any work with this monastery. Mgr. Caprio suggested us to resell it to the Franciscan
Missionary Sisters and to buy a French bus station in Gò Vấp. Fr. Luvisotto therefore left Đà
Lạt for Gò Vấp where, with his good health and skills, he helped Fr. Cuisset and Fr. Tchong
to prepare the new place for our future works.
The construction of the chapel at Gò Vấp
While Fr. Majcen was in Europe doing his apostolate, having rest and visiting his family
and friends, as well as celebrating the 25th anniversary of his ordination, the work in Vietnam
1 ‘Son of Mary’ is Don Bosco’s appellation for a late vocation.
|
|
21.8 Page 208 |
▲back to top |
200 Chapter 36: In Remembrance of Bro. Joseph Borri and Fr. Guerrino Luvisotto
was having big progresses through the combined efforts of Fr. Luvisotto, Fr. Cuisset and Fr.
Tchong. As a resut, when he came back to Vietnam, Fr. Majcen could already see at Gò Vấp
the new chapel dedicated to St. Joseph that could contain about 400 pupils. There was a
solemn reception of distinguished guests including Cardinal Agagianian and other
ecclesiastic and diplomatic authorities. President Ngô Đình Diệm was pleased with the very
promising Salesian work. And Fr. Luvisotto always appeared with his imposing beard.
Rearrangement of Thủ Đức aspirantate and preparation for the novitiate
Fr. Majcen was back to Thủ Đức in 1959 and was appointed novice master. However, he
still was responsible for the aspirantate before dedicating himself entirely for the novitiate.
Once again Fr. Luvisotto came to help him. Their friendship became more and more intimate.
Fr. Luvisotto began to take care of the poultry, the pigpen, the timber deposits and the
contacts with the Catholic Aids Agency to get rice and food for the children… in brief, to
have a simple refectory where there was sufficient food and also a hygienic surrounding
through his work on the drainage that was often flooded during the monsoon season… Mgr.
Arduino came to inaugurate the aspirantate. But more importantly, Fr. Tohill had decided on
the preparation of facilities for the first novitiate in Vietnam that would soon open with 9
novices. For this, Fr. Majcen started to find funds for the construction of the Immaculate
Conception chapel. Then when Fr. Generoso was back to Thủ Đức to resume his rectorship,
he started the construction of the chapel with the architect Tống Dụ Quang… In brief, where
there was hard work, Fr. Luvisotto was always in.
One year later, Fr. Luvisotto went to Trạm Hành for the preparation of the new
novitiate
This new novitiate house would also be an Apostolic School for the lower secondary
school boys, beginning with Form 6 and then the Forms 7, 8 and 9 successively. Fr. Majcen
still saw how Fr. Luvisotto crumble the old walls down to build a large dormitory, a chapel
and a study hall. In addition, Fr. Luvisotto also took on trucks full of necessities from Sài
Gòn to Trạm Hành, without forgetting Fr. Majcen’s pet, the dog named “Út”. When he saw
that our novices were short of many necessary things, he brought to them not only food but
also other necessities. He constantly came to help Fr. Majcen during the 10 years the latter
was novice master.
However, he rarely lived in Đà Lạt and Trạm Hành due to the altitude of 1500 m above
sea level that made him easily tired. He felt better with the warm atmosphere of Sài Gòn
where he could more easily frequented the American camps to find food and other necessities
that the people needed, especially during the bloodshed of the Tết Mậu Thân (1968) when
thousands of people had to take refuge in our houses.
Although living in Sài Gòn, Fr. Luvisotto also helped Fr. Massimino a great deal in the
construction of the Salesian Studentate in Đà Lạt near the Pius X Pontifical Atheneum.
In 1972, Fr. Luvisotto once again worked side by side with Fr. Majcen at the Thủ Đức
aspirantate which now included also aspirants of the Franciscans, Jesuites, Nhà Chúa,
Benedictines, and Blessed Sacrament, with an excellent board of professors. At Thủ Đức, Fr.
Luvisotto also helped the lay brothers to have simple workshops to teach mechanics,
automotive engine, etc… to poor children. Besides, there was a Sunday oratory for the
children in the neighborhood and from the prisons and orphanages… In this apostolate, Fr.
Luvisotto provided the children with food, beverages and also clothing which he got from
200
|
|
21.9 Page 209 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 36: In Remembrance of Bro. Joseph Borri and Fr. Guerrino Luvisotto 201
Providence. In the eyes of the American soldiers whom he knew many, he was the beggar for
the poor. With them he spoke a special American which they themselves could hardly
understand, but they understood his heart and gave him whatever he wanted… He collected
anything they gave and then distributed it also to Đà Lạt and to Tam Hải and Tam Hà, etc…
To give is better than to receive.
The last days of the Republic of VN
The Feast of St. Joseph 1975 marked the flight of our communities from Đà Lạt to Nha
Trang and then by sea to Sài Gòn. We painfully lost all our aspirants while in Sài Gòn the last
attack of the city pushed so many refugees into our Thủ Đức house. After these day, Fr.
Majcen and Fr. Massimino resigned and Fr. John Ty began with the new Provincial Chapter
to rearrange the confreres. Our Gò Vấp Technical School was occupied, and Fr. Majcen was
in charge of the novitiate at Tam Hải. Fr. Luvisotto stayed in Thủ Đức and prepared various
common feasts for the Salesians, the novices, the FMA, the VDB, etc… with everything from
God’s goodness.
May 1976: The last gathering at Thủ Đức with a feast prepared by Fr. Luvisotto
It was the profession day of the last novices under Fr. Majcen. Our guests included the
FMA, the VDB, and parents of the 8 professed novices. Fr. Luvisotto, Fr. Walter Wouve,
provincial economer, and Fr. Ty, new provincial, tried their best to have a last big and solemn
feast. All were happy to be together but at the same time a presentiment of darkness covered
everybody: very shortly the last European confreres would part, two Italian sisters, Fr. De
Meuleneare, Fr. Walter and perhaps Fr. Majcen also…
In fact, on June 9 1976, Fr. Luvisotto had to leave for Italy together with two Belgian
Salesians and two Italian FMA, leaving behind Fr. Majcen alone who on July 23 would part
as the last Salesian missionary together with other last missionaries of the MEP, Jesuits,
PIME, etc…
Thus ended the story of more than 300 years of evangelization in Vietnam and from July
24 1976 the Salesian Congregation in Vietnam opened a new page of its history with the
Vietnamese Salesians.
Fr. Luvisotto, a heart as large as the sand on the seashore
With his venerable beard, Fr. Luvisotto was still the center of the information with his
preaching, conferences and his prayers for the Salesian fold. He was a true ‘son of Mary’ and
of Don Bosco, and in some sense he realized the words that had been applied to Don Bosco,
who had a heart “as large as the sand on the seashore.”
Fr. Majcen was fortunate to meet him again after his own expulsion from Vietnam. It
was an encounter full of records and memories of Vietnam. Fr. Luvisotto continued to be a
favorite confessor, but he already felt the suffering of the illnesses that brought him to the
tomb. In the city of the missionary patriarch of China, Fr. Odorico, he expired on February 6
1986 in his homeland Pordenone, Italy, at the age of 74, waiting for the day of his
resurrection. May God give eternal peace to our dearest and unforgettable Fr. Guerino
Luvisotto.
|
|
21.10 Page 210 |
▲back to top |
CHAPTER 37: TWO NOVITIATE COURSES – LOOKING FOR THE
LODGING OF OUR THEOLOGIANS (1968-72)
A change in personnel
In Hong Kong, the provincial term of Fr. Massimino expired and Fr. Alesandro Machuy
succeeded him as the first Chinese Provincial.
At Trạm Hành, Fr. Majcen was reappointed as novice master but he was no longer rector
of the house. Fr. Tchong succeeded him as rector. Fr. Matthew King went to Rome to attend
the spirituality course at the Salesian Pontifical University. At Trạm Hành, Fr. Lagger was
prefect of studies for the aspirants and Bro. Michael Phùng was assistant of the novices.
Novitiate course IX (1968-69)
Clerics (professed)
1. Trần Đức Dậu
2. Trần Văn Cương
3. Nguyễn Văn Hân
4. Trần Ngọc Hoàn
5. Nguyễn Văn Kích
6. Mai Xuân Lâm
7. Phạm Ngọc Lan
8. Bùi Xuân Lưỡng
9. Phạm Văn Nam
10. Trần Quang Tòng
11. Nguyễn Văn Thái
12. Tạ Đức Tuấn
13. Phạm Văn Thuỳ
14. Nguyễn Ngọc Vinh
Clerics (not professed)
15. Nguyễn Bá Vi
The 15 novices were all clerics with only one who did not profess at the end of the
novitiate. As of 1986, three among them had become deacons and were working in the
parishes while the rest remained at the Đà Lạt studentate with much financial difficulty and
having very few opportunity for the apostolate. But gradually they would also go to assume
responsibility at other places and the perseverant ones also arrived at the priesthood.
Everybody wanted peace
After the tragic events of Tết Mậu Thân (February 1968) with so many deaths and
destructions, everybody now wanted peace. Even the Americans who were tired with a war
without end now also want to end it, and US President Nixon proposed to withdraw the army
step by step and to offer millions US dollars for the reconstruction of the country. And a
peace negotiation began in 1968. While President Thiệu of the South showed good will,
North PM Phạm Văn Đồng wanted to drag the talk from 1968 till 1973 with a view to
preparing for the eventual victory of the communists in 1975.
202
|
|
22 Pages 211-220 |
▲back to top |
|
|
22.1 Page 211 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 37: Two Novitiate Courses – A Place for Our Theologians (1968-72) 203
The Rector Major’s visit
The Rector Major Fr. Ricceri made a canonical visit to Vietnam in 1969 and he was
welcomed in a most spectacular way. Beside the SDB confreres and aspirants, the FMA and
their aspirants also attended the reception in which one of their aspirants greeted the Rector
Major with a very good Italian which impressed him. He was very pleased and expressed his
desire that all the SDB aspirants learn Italian too. However, it’s a pity that the boys had
already been overloaded by the learning of English, French and Latin to start learning another
language! The Rector Major visited all the three Salesian house in Vietnam where he gave
valuable instructions. Fr. Majcen took these as a resource for the formation of the confreres.
Infected with a bubonic plague
Bubonic plague is quite familiar in Vietnam. The Vietnamese also call it rats plague
since rats are the sources that carry the infection. Near our house at Trạm Hành there was a
farm raising hundreds of pigs that lived with innumerable rats. One day Fr. Majcen was
walking and praying on the playground not far from the forest when he got a flea bite. He
immediately got a very serious fever and fainted after he was taken to bed. Frightened, Fr.
Tchong ran to the infirmary of the Sisters of the Lovers of the Cross but no one knew how to
treat. He then drove to Đơn Dương and found an American doctor who realized that it was a
very serious case. He called a helicopter to take Fr. Majcen to a hospital in Nha Trang. At the
hospital, the American doctors could not find out the disease, but a Vietnamese assistant
doctor, Dr. Quang, said at once that it was a bubonic plague. Thus Fr. Majcen was brought
into the isolation ward. He stayed unconscious for two days, but when a Redemptorist priest
came to give him the sacrament of the sick, he could answer the Latin prayers very distinctly,
probably subconsciously. After one week, he felt a little better and after two weeks he left the
isolation ward and was brought to the normal room. The lymph node was as big as a piece of
salami. While he was at hospital, the Provincial and other superiors came to visit him and
together with him had meetings to prepare for the upcoming General Chapter. He eventually
came back to the novitiate to give a spiritual retreat to the newly professed and new novices.
He also gave conferences to the newly professed to compensate for what he had missed by
his absence.
Novitiate course X (1969-70)
Clerics (professed)
1. Phạm Ngọc Chinh
2. Nguyễn Anh Hùng (RIP)
3. Phạm Minh Ký
4. Phạm Văn Linh
5. Đinh Văn Nho (RIP)
6. Nguyễn Hữu Quảng
7. Hoàng Văn Số
8. Trần Thạch
9. Nguyễn Văn Thành (1)
10. Nguyễn Văn Tùng
11. Phạm Viết Văn (RIP)
Lay Brothers (professed)
1. Nguyên Văn Chân
|
|
22.2 Page 212 |
▲back to top |
204 Chapter 37: Two Novitiate Courses – A Place for Our Theologians (1968-72)
2. Lê Văn Chứa
3. Nguyễn Văn Cung
4. Trần Văn Hay
5. Phạm Tất Hội
6. Trần Văn Hùng
7. Nguyễn Văn Minh
8. Nguyễn Văn Rỡ
9. Nguyễn Văn Tâm
10. Nguyễn Văn Vui (RIP)
Clerics (not professed)
1. Nguyên Văn Biên
2. Trần Tiến Đức
3. Phan Văn Long
4. Nguyễn Văn Ngoạn
5. Đinh Huỳnh Phùng
6. Nguyễn Đức Thành
7. Nguyễn Văn Thành (2)
8. Cường
9. Đức
10.Minh
11.Nguyên
12.Tâm
13.Thạch
14.Triêm
Lay Brothers (not professed)
15.Nguyễn Văn Can
16.Phạm Văn Yên
17.Đức
The total number of the professed was 20. This novitiate was the most numerous. It
ended with 11 clerics and 9 lay brothers professed, 4 novices left from the beginning and 11
during the novitiate. The reason for so great number of leavers might be due to a careless
selection at the aspirantate, especially in a period under the influence of the ‘progressivists’
with an erroneous mentality that even Fr. Acquistapace was unable to resolve.
The first Salesian clerics at the Pius X Pontifical Atheneum
Our two first clerics who follow their theology studies were Michael Phùng and Peter
Đệ. They temporarily stayed at a leased house. Canonically they belonged to the Trạm Hành
community.
An important Provincial’s circular letter
With his circular letter dated August 22 1968, the Provincial announced that, after
consultation with the Rector Major and his Council, he set up for Vietnam a true consultative
council headed by Fr. Mario Acquistapace as provincial delegate with a wide range of
faculties delegated by the Provincial. The provincial delegation council included Fr. Isidore
204
|
|
22.3 Page 213 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 37: Two Novitiate Courses – A Place for Our Theologians (1968-72) 205
Lê Hướng, Fr. Matthew Tchong and Fr. Majcen. After the council was established, Fr.
Acquistapace summoned and presided over the meetings as prescribed to discuss the
redimensioning of the works in Vietnam.
Life in the novitiate
While the guerrillas’ attacks continued in the neighborhood, life in the novitiate passed
tranquilly. The religious clothing ceremony which had been scheduled to take place on
November 21 was postponed until March of the following year. The reason was to avoid the
cases of clerics who had just clothed the religious habit had to take it off within a few
months, resulting in a bad impression for the faithful who used to have a great respect for the
religious habit. In the same year, Fr. Majcen also had a solemn celebration on his feast-day
although he was no longer the rector of the house.
Finding a place in Đà Lạt for the Studentate
This was no easy task for Fr. Majcen. The bishop wanted to offer us a church but the
land was not large enough for a studentate, while the Dominican studentate was spacious but
quite far from the Pius X Pontifical Atheneum and too close to the guerrillas’ area. Buying a
hotel or a beautiful villa was almost impossible for lack of funds. Finally we managed to
lease the Lazarists’ studentate which became the first establishment of our Salesian
Studentate in Đà Lạt.
Spiritual retreat
Fr. Majcen had his spiritual retreat in Sài Gòn at the retreat house near the Jesuits’
novitiate. His retreat ended, Fr. Majcen could have some days’ rest during which he had an
opportunity to talk with Fr. Provincial on several useful topic.
New appointments
In the same time, Fr. Provincial announced the appointment of new superiors: Fr. Mario
Acquistapace as provincial delegate with the headquarter at Gò Vấp; Fr. Majcen as rector of
the Gò Vấp Technical School; Fr. Isidore Lê Hướng as rector of the Thủ Đức aspirantate and
Fr. Matthew King as novice master at Trạm Hành, while Fr. Generoso returned to his country
Brazil for a second visit.
Some statistic facts
Fr. Majcen was novice master between 1960 and 1970, during which he has received 125
novices out of whom 90 have professed. In the following years, Fr. Matthew King was novice
master for 5 years (1970-75) during which he has received 78 novices out of whom 46 have
professed. Below is some assessments by Fr. Majcen on his experiences as a novice master.
Fr. King as a novice assistant was a precious help
After the daily conferences by the novice master, Fr. King as novice assistant usually had
the novices go into the chapel and before the Blessed Sacrament, he had them think over the
conference they had just heard to see how it could be applied in their lives, then go to have a
talk with the novice master to draw practical conclusions. On Sundays he usually went to the
American camp to preach, hear confessions and say Mass to the American soldiers. Many
Americans died for Vietnam but didn’t receive due appreciation from the Vietnamese.
|
|
22.4 Page 214 |
▲back to top |
206 Chapter 37: Two Novitiate Courses – A Place for Our Theologians (1968-72)
The most personal moments in the novitiate
These are the personal talks with the novice master as prescribed by the Constitutions.
They are the most suitable moments to talk about the personal state of the novice, and the
most intimate hours between the novice master and his novices. They are as the workshop of
the Architects who are the Holy Spirit and Our Virgin Mary. During the talk, the novice
master as God’s useless servant tries to prepare a spiritual atmosphere for his novice to know
God and get a deeper knowledge of himself, his characters and God’s gifts in him. It’s the
novice’s duty to purify himself, to form and adapt himself to become a true apostle as God
wants him to be, that is ‘qualis esse debet” in imitation of Don Bosco’s model through a total
transformation in conformity to the Salesian charisma.
Many years ago (1959), Fr. Majcen and Fr. Grignon, director of the former Kunming
Seminary, were at the Sacred Heart Basilica in Rome. They saw groups of religious coming
by turns into the basilica’s yard. Fr. Grignon looked around then said what was in his mind:
“Look at these religious and we can tell what congregation they belong to by the way they
behave. The Franciscans happily walked with their cord round their loins as if the rope that
bound Jesus in the flagellation, while the Salesians go to and fro talking and making noise
cheerfully as a copy of Don Bosco himself. Thus the novices of Don Bosco must also have
their face as radiant as Don Bosco’s face, or as Moses’s face that radiated God’s glory.”
What Fr. Majcen wrote here gives us an sketch of what he did at that time. And his
former novices continued to write to him about their memoirs with him…
The need to form Salesian missionaries among the lay faithful
Many years had already gone, but Fr. Majcen still felt a wound in his heart: the pain of
getting up at 4 am to call a novice and tell him: “You have to leave immediately, because you
have committed a serious curiosity when you were in Đà Lạt. This is an order from the
superior which I have to tell you with a deep sore in my heart.” Thus Fr. Tchong took him to
Đà Lạt from where to go for his home in Đà Nẵng. This was a very inappropriate way of
doing before it was changed by Vatican II. From then on, Fr. Majcen had a resolution to
never act in that way again. If a novice is considered unsuited for Salesian life and has to
leave us, he should bring along with him the warmth of Don Bosco’s heart and his educative
system of love which he has received from the Salesian environment, to become a Salesian
missionary lay faithful in the world, in the Church and with the heart of Don Bosco.
A support for the Vietnamese Salesian clerics
It was fortunate for us to have the Chinese Province with its superiors who had a big
heart to receive our clerics and lay brothers in their initial formation and specialization. The
Salesians in formation of Vietnam and Hong Kong had the same formation program in Latin
and English.
Fr. Massimino as provincial and rector of the formation house was an excellent formator
of our philosophers and theologians. As a novice master, Fr. Majcen felt secure that his
novices would fall into the hands of a great Salesian who would open their minds in
knowledge and spirituality in the philosophical and theological fields.
But Fr. Majcen faced the problem of getting visas for the clerics to go to Hong Kong. In
this difficult condition, we in Vietnam were considering the possibility of sending our
students to the Pius X Pontifical Atheneum in Đà Lạt, or to other studentates or seminaries.
206
|
|
22.5 Page 215 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 37: Two Novitiate Courses – A Place for Our Theologians (1968-72) 207
For this purpose, we tried to have our students learn well English and French so that they
could be able to understand the lectures that the professors at those studentates only give in
French. We needed good teachers such as the two Chinese Salesians Fr. Sung and Fr. Leung.
Again on the statistic facts
During Fr. Majcen’s ten years as novice master (1960-70), the novices were 125, out of
whom 35 left. The total number of the professed after they finished their novitiate was 90.
And these are the figures for the time of Fr. King who succeeded Fr. Majcen as novice
master:
Year
1970-71
1971-72
1972-73
1973-74
1974-75
Novices
9
13
19
18
17
Profes s ed
6
8
12
11
12
Leavers
3
5
7
7
5
The total number of novices in the time of Fr. King was 76, of whom 49 professed.
The great total of the professed in 15 years of novitiate (1960-75) was 139.
Fr. Majcen offered God this thanksgiving prayer:
I will forever be thankful to God and Mary and Don Bosco for my ten years’ work
as a novice director. As Fr. Braga used to say, when God entrusts someone with a
responsibility of a superior, he also gives him graces for his own sanctification and
for the sanctification of others.
I humbly thank you for your graces. Forgive my sins, my defects and also my
scandals.
I praise you, I thank you. Continue to bless my novices!
And on August 27 1970 Fr. Majcen began his new office as Rector of Don Bosco Gò
Vấp.
Fr. Majcen’s sensible heart
Fr. Majcen used to write articles in Slovenian on several missionary magazines which
were published worldwide. He happened to know that Bro. Opaka, a simple and free-spoken
man as Nathanael, once wrote to Fr. Vode: “Fr. Majcen is like a hen that has laid an egg and
immediately cackles to make it known to all the world.” This remark hurt Fr. Majcen, making
him feeling as if he has lost all the merits. He wrote to Fr. Vode and several friends of his and
the magazines’ editors, telling them that he would no longer send them any news about his
work. They protested, encouraging him to continue to write to make known the wonders of
God for His glory and for the benefit of many who would know the works of Providence and
of Mary, Don Bosco’s Teacher. Encouraged thus by these letters and those of the Superiors,
Fr. Majcen overcame his scrupulous considerations and continued his correspondence. And
he continue to write until now and even thereafter.
|
|
22.6 Page 216 |
▲back to top |
208 Chapter 37: Two Novitiate Courses – A Place for Our Theologians (1968-72)
Don Bosco’s works in Vietnam were supported by the Rector Majors Don Ricceri and
Don Viganò as well as other superiors, with the sole purpose of “ad majorem Dei gloriam”, in
imitation of Don Bosco who had always written to spread God’s works.
208
|
|
22.7 Page 217 |
▲back to top |
CHAPTER 38: DON BOSCO’S WORKS BETWEEN 1970-72
FR. MAJCEN, RECTOR OF DON BOSCO GÒ VẤP
FR. MASSIMINO, RECTOR OF ĐÀ LẠT STUDENTATE
1. Don Bosco work in Gò Vấp
The work in Gò Vấp had been basically set up by Fr. Cuisset, and was later developed
during the terms of rectorship of Fr. Generoso and Fr. Lê Hướng. Now it includes a Technical
School, an aspirantate for the lay brother aspirants, and a boarding house, while others
continued to take shape.
We can say here that the period right before and after Vatican Council II till the 1972
General Chapter was a period of discussions and controversies with false steps and
disorientations regarding discipline among the lay brothers who were influences by
progressivist ideas introduced from Europe.
This was also a time in which the traditional formation since the time of Don Bosco was
undergoing a drastic change in religious life and in the Constitutions and Regulations. We
needed to adapt the original charisma of Don Bosco’s spirituality to the modern time. Fr.
Majcen had to find a way to go deep into the complicate paths of new ideas that were brought
into the mind of so many young men and inexperienced confreres.
In addition, the situation in South Vietnam was extremely hot with the war not only
between opposing armies (the communists, the nationalists, the Americans…) but also
between opposing ideologies. And we Salesians who followed the politics of “Our Father”,
we had to find a middle way. Faced with these issues, Fr. Majcen wanted to consult and get
an answer from the experienced and responsible authorities, in particular from the meetings
of the rectors in Hong Kong.
Fr. Majcen was interested in making visits to our vocational and technical schools in
Hong Kong and Macao. He needed to learn their acknowledged methods to adapt to our
schools in Sài Gòn. Again in Hong Kong, he had an opportunity to visit his former novices
who were studying at the Cheung Chau Studentate, where the Vietnamese and Chinese
students got along very well, retaining of course their distinctive characteristics.
Faced with those problems, Fr. Majcen wanted to consult specifically on the formation of
our young lay brothers of whom he was in charge at Gò Vấp. He also could not ignore his
doubts concerning the current formation at PAS and Messina because he believed that others’
correct or wrong approaches could give a lesson for life…
His upcoming work at Gò Vấp would be the continual restructuring of the house.
With this in mind, his journeys to Hong Kong and Macao were designed to get an
assessment of the methods and experiences from the Salesians in these places.
Upon his return to Vietnam on August 24 1970, Fr. Majcen started his task immediately.
Gò Vấp house was quite complex: There were 37 Salesians including priests, clerics, lay
brothers, confreres in practical training and lay brothers in specific formation. There were
470 students and many lay teachers and employees. Fr. Stra had established the Pupils’
Parents Association which was very helpful to Fr. Majcen and which was desired by many.
209
|
|
22.8 Page 218 |
▲back to top |
210 Chapter 40 : Salesians in Vietnam in the Years 1972-73
The workshops
There were several workshops at Gò Vấp. First was the Mechanics shop which had been
erected by Fr. Cuisset and equipped by the Misereor; then there was the Carpentry shop, well
equipped also, and Electricity and Engineering shops.
The Technical School had good teachers who took good care of their students, especially
in the final classes which usually got their students graduated 100 percent.
Meeting for the teachers were well organized by Fr. Stra who invited Fr. Majcen to
preside over them and guide the teachers to work in Don Bosco’s spirit.
The Pupils’ Parents Association
The Pupils’ Parents Association at Gò Vấp was created by Fr. Stra. It had a temporary
statute with the deliberations taken by voting. Fr. Majcen reminded the Association’s
members to educate their children according to the times. Of course there needed a balance
between the activities of the Association and those of the teachers.
The school fees
Of course the pupils had to pay for their tuition, books and accessories, but for the poor
or orphan pupils who were good and showed diligence, Fr. Majcen gave them a reduction or
even free tuition.
A painful experience: Fr. Majcen had a pupil who came from a good family but both his
parents had died, leaving him alone with his elder sister who had to do shameful job to earn
money. He was shameful to ask for an exemption. Following Fr. Stra’s advice, Fr. Majcen
gave the boy free tuition and also helped his sister have a good decent job. Unfortunately, a
few years later, he joined the guerrillas together with his sister.
An important visit
Fr. Majcen and Fr. Stra made a visit to the Deputy Minister for Education who was in
charge of the technical department. Since the Deputy Minister had already known Fr. Stra
and highly appreciated our school, Fr. Majcen and Fr. Stra took this opportunity to ask him to
admit our lay brothers to the National College of Technology which in principle took only the
graduates from state schools. This was an effort to make our brothers get a diploma so that
they could teach and become headmasters in our schools in the future.
Exhibitions of the school’s products
Following the tradition in our Salesian professional schools, Gò Vấp School also had
exhibitions of its technical products. Among the guests there were the President Thiệu and
the Vice President Kỳ, other officials, ambassadors and parents of the pupils. The guests were
always welcomed by the brass band directed by Bro. Paul Hau, and they were very pleased
with the pupils’ products as well as with the cheerfulness and discipline of our pupils.
Fr. Majcen’s task was really heavy. He followed Fr. Braga’s advice when he was in
Kunming: “As rector, you must daily visit all the sectors and contact the people in charge to
know about the problems relating to the staff and the pupils so as to avoid dangerous
mistakes. That had also the methods used by the abbots of old. The Gò Vấp house had many
places to inspect: the workshops, the infirmary, the past-pupils’ sector, the provincial
210
|
|
22.9 Page 219 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 38: Don Bosco’s Works Between 1970-72: Fr. Majcen and Fr. Massimino 211
delegation office as wanted by Fr. Mario, the entrance gate, the kitchen, and the store houses.
Then you have to be at your office to talk with your confreres, the parents and so many
guests. You also have to hold meetings, especially those of the House Council, and to arrange
for the daily tasks…”
Fr. Majcen’s difficulties in the formation of the lay brothers
As early as in 1964, Fr. Thomas Haar had had a predilection for the aspirants for the lay
brother vocation. They were reserved a separate study hall and dormitory. They had their own
daily Mass, their own sport activities and traditions. However, before Fr. Majcen came, they
had been much criticized by Fr. Stra and Fr. De Meuleneare, causing much suffering from the
part of Fr. Thomas Haar while the aspirants’ spirit and life went down. Fr. Majcen, being too
busy with his work and bad health, could not remove those criticisms or lift their spirit and
life up.
The lay brothers’ formation
Fr. Majcen’s main concern was the formation of our young lay brothers as he was
recommended by the Provincial Fr. Machuy to continue the post-novitiate formation of these
young confreres. The young lay brothers included nine in their professional formation
(magistero) and a number in their practical training as Salesian assistants. Fr. Majcen taught
them philosophy, pedagogy and ascetics, and the principles of Vatican Council II as guided
by the latest books sent by Fr. Vode from Turin.
The lay brothers however did not have much time since they also had to work for the
children every Sunday at the Oratory as Fr. Machuy had wanted. Fr. Majcen demanded them
to have a monthly talk (rendiconto) with him for their personal formation, as it had been
customary in the novitiate.
The influences of progressivist ideas on the lay brothers
There was at that time a lack of religious discipline as a consequence of an incorrect
interpretation of the terms such as ‘desacralization’, ‘freedom’, ‘conscience’ and
‘personality’, mingled with the “individualism’, ‘authority’ and ‘autonomy’, ‘dialogue’, etc.,
together with a false concept of ‘equality’ between the priest and the lay brother, ‘a lay
brother can also be a rector, a provincial or a rector major’, etc… In this state, the priests who
had been ordained after Vatican II were also responsible for introducing these dangerous
ideas to the Vietnamese Salesian lay brothers.
Still, they insisted to change the position of the altar, to remove the statues and images,
the blessed water, to do away with the genuflection, the goodnight talks, prayers and daily
Mass, the visits to the Blessed Sacrament, the Holy Rosary among many others.
In these conditions, Fr. Majcen could still count on a number of young and mature
confreres who supported his moderate position which was also embraced by the Vietnamese
Bishops and many Vietnamese priests. As Fr. Braga said, we could overcome the evil by the
good. It was an error to introduce the Western progressivist ideas to an Oriental environment
as in Vietnam.
Fr. Majcen enhanced the Gò Vấp house by the rebirth of the Orphanage
The Social Department Director Lý Kính Chấn complained that our Technical School
had dropped the Orphanage for the orphan victims of the war who were increasing in number.
Therefore Fr. Majcen and some other Vietnamese confreres tried to reopen the Orphanage
|
|
22.10 Page 220 |
▲back to top |
212 Chapter 40 : Salesians in Vietnam in the Years 1972-73
with the dormitory ward, the living ward including the kitchen, the refectory and the simple
workshops … In other words, the purpose was to teach the orphans in various trades which
could make them good workers, not technicians.
As he had done previously in Hà Nội, Mr. Chấn also sent some orphans to us. And this
turned out to be a good luck for us, because the orphanage could exist for more than 3 years
after the tragic event in 1975 while other activities at Gò Vấp were suppressed.
2. The House in Vũng Tàu
In Vũng Tàu, Fr. Isidore Lê Hướng had bought a plot of land near the seashore where he
built a summer house with 50 beds for the vacations of the orphans, pupils and aspirants.
There was a kitchen with a woman who did the cooking and watched over the house. There
was also a chapel and a garden for the boys to do the gardening. Fr. Majcen also had a room
among the boys’ quarters.
3. The reconstruction of the church at Bến Cát
Bến Cát was a catholic village near Gò Vấp District, where Fr. De Meulenaerwas parish
priest and pastor. The church had been almost completely ruined during the Tết Mậu Thân
battle. Encouraged by many, Fr. De Meulenaermanaged to rebuild it with the help of
benefactors. After the defeat of the RVN in 1975, Bến Cát became a Salesian parish with a
Salesian community next to it.
4. Ba Thôn
Near Sài Gòn there was an Orphanage run by the Chợ Quán Lovers of the Cross. There
was a small church where at the request of the ecclesiastic ordinary, Fr. Majcen sent our
Salesian priests there to say Mass every Sunday. From 1978, it became the office of the
Vietnamese Provincial Delegation headed by Fr. John Ty, delegate of the Rector Major.
5. A special apostolate
Fr. Donders (Cha Độ), a Hollander, was a newly ordained priest with a special charisma
in his apostolic work for the orphans and street boys whom he collected across the city and
took care of. He was supported by some benefactors, in particular the Holland ambassador
through his advertisement on TV. He had a house built for the boys’ shelter and also some
workshops for a future trade school. All this he did exclusively by his love for the boys and in
imitation of Don Bosco, without asking for permission from his superiors. In principle Fr.
Majcen could not grant him permission, but morally he supported him and his work in the
consultations with the superiors.
But we could clearly see God’s finger here. After Fr. Donders left Vietnam in 1975, the
house became Fr. Majcen’s last novitiate between 1975 and 1976. Later, Fr. Acquistapace
commented that God could make a straight line with a crooked rule!
6. The Past pupils
Like all other rectors, Fr. Majcen continued to help his past pupils materially and
spiritually. The house council wanted to entrust this responsibility to Bro. Bullo and so the
former house for the young ex-criminals of Fr. Cuisset became a hostel for the past pupils.
But in longer term, things had run badly and many morally evil incidents took place. The past
212
|
|
23 Pages 221-230 |
▲back to top |
|
|
23.1 Page 221 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 38: Don Bosco’s Works Between 1970-72: Fr. Majcen and Fr. Massimino 213
pupils even took women in their living quarters at night. They were warned but didn’t
change. Therefore the hostel was closed, and there remained only an office for the Past
Pupils’ Association.
7. Fr. Majcen in charge of the Provincial Delegation house
Following the Provincial’s circular letter announcing the official setting up of the
Vietnamese Provincial Delegation Council, the Rector Major in 1969 issued a letter to
canonically establish the religious house for the provincial delegation at Gò Vấp. Fr. Majcen
began to have everything arranged for the delegation headquarters with rooms, a chapel, a
kitchen and a refectory for about 20 people and this could become an independent
community.
8. Miscellanies
During Fr. Majcen’s two years as rector of Gò Vấp, some remarkable happenings were
worth mentioning here.
One day, a 12 years old Buddhist novice came to ask Fr. Majcen for admission into the
technical school. Fr. Majcen agreed with the conditions that the boy could not wear the
monk’s robe, and must keep his hair long. The boy complied and he proved to be a good
pupil. He listened to the night talks and prayed with other Catholic boys, but at night he said
his Buddhist prayers as he did in the pagoda.
A Buddhist who was principal of a technical school in Sài Gòn sent his son to our school
because he said our school had a good discipline and the studies were serious.
Almost every day there were news about the death in the battleground of a father, a
brother or relative of our pupils. Our school used to have prayer sessions for the departed.
Our pupils who were 18 years old without graduating from secondary school must do
their military service. Before joining the army, they came to bid farewell to Fr. Majcen, who
gave him a rosary and the blessing of Mary Help of Christians. One of them was killed in his
patrol two weeks after his departure by the communist snipers. Fr. Majcen attended his
funeral and gave condolences to his suffering family.
On the occasion of the Tết, our boys had a concert show on the State TV channel with
traditional instruments to display the beauty of our traditional music.
In addition, we had Olympic games organized in our school with the boys grouped under
various flags representing various nationalities. The game were played according established
rules.
The Provincial’s canonical visit
Fr. Machuy made his canonical visit which ended successfully on March 8 1971. After
his visit ended, all the pupils bid him farewell before he left for Hong Kong. In the last
meeting in which he spoke in English, he asked the opinion of teachers about whether the day
school or boarding school was preferable. All agreed that the boarding school was better,
since it could avoid the dangers of the traffic which was in great confusion in the city.
A priestly ordination. Fr. Majcen embraced the newly ordained
On July 17 1971, Dominic Uyển was ordained priest at Gò Vấp. A family gathering was
held in the joy of his parents and relatives and in particular of his novice master who had
|
|
23.2 Page 222 |
▲back to top |
214 Chapter 40 : Salesians in Vietnam in the Years 1972-73
received him as a boy in 1957. The newly ordained celebrated his thanksgiving Mass at the
parish of Blessed Khang1 in Tam Hà, Thủ Đức. It was a grandiose celebration with more than
a thousand participants. Fr. Majcen thanked God for having sent Dominic Uyển to the
aspirantate in 1957 and now reached the priesthood. Fr. Uyển had a godmother in Gorizia
who had greatly supported him financially for his path to the priesthood.
Later in the month, Fr. John Ty, who had studied in Rome together with Uyển, also
celebrated his thanksgiving Mass at Gò Vấp.
The presidential election
In those days there was a presidential election with so much propaganda and confusion
too. President Thiệu was reelected. Although he was a new Catholic convert, he was quite
popular with the Catholics.
Some statistical figures in the political context: At the Gò Vấp School, we had 31 pupils
who had lost both parents, 65 had lost their fathers, 13 their mothers, and 134 could not be in
a condition to have a decent living.
St. Andrew feast
The feast of St. Andrew, Fr. Majcen’s patron, was always celebrated solemnly, in part
also because it was the first day of the Immaculate Conception novena. That year we were
honored by the presence of Archbishop Bình of Sài Gòn, and the feast was marked by a
historical performance show representing the folklore culture that delighted everybody.
Fr. Majcen’s illness
Fr. Majcen’s health became worse due to a block in blood circulation which caused
inflammation in his feet. As he could not run the house through the school year, in April 1972
he chose Fr. Van Wouve as his successor.
9. SDB Vietnam split from the China Province
The split had long been desired. This time the consultation of the confreres was made by
way of voting, with the result of 73 pros out of 91 votes. After there had been the consent of
the Vietnamese delegation and of the Hong Kong Provincial Council, the proceedings were
sent to the Rector Major.
10. The beginning of the Salesian Studentate of Đà Lạt
For the school year 1970-71, as the young Salesians could not go abroad for their
formation, the Superiors were obliged to have their theology and philosophy formation in Đà
Lạt. The first formation course for theology included two confreres: the clerics Đệ and Phùng
who stayed temporarily at Lê Thái Tổ Street, in the house of Mr. Trương Công Cừu, a former
RVN Minister of Education, together with two lay brothers Simon Truyền and Joseph Tỵ.
The theologians studied at the Pius X Pontifical Atheneum. The 13 newly professed included
Joseph Ký, Linh, Quảng, Văn, etc.. They stayed and studied philosophy at Trạm Hành.
Later we intended to buy a plot of ground near a Protestant pastor to have enough space
for our ever increasing number of our theologians who would go for their studies at the
1 Now Parish of Saint Khang, named after the Vietnamese martyr.
214
|
|
23.3 Page 223 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 38: Don Bosco’s Works Between 1970-72: Fr. Majcen and Fr. Massimino 215
Pontifical Atheneum. So for the time being we borrowed from the Lazarist Fathers their
Sacred Heart Villa near the Sacred Heart Church in Đà Lạt.
On February 15 1971, after the successful purchase of the former hotel at 4G Võ Tánh2
Street, commonly called Mrs. Mùi Hotel, Fr. Mario and Fr. Lagger took our philosophers
there to continue their formation.
On April 25 1972 Fr. Machuy, the Provincial, made these decisions:
In that April visit, Fr. Machuy had a meeting with the rectors and the Vietnamese
Delegation Council including Fr. Massimino, Fr. Majcen, Fr. Mario, Fr. Isidore Lê Hướng,
and Fr. Walter Van Wouve. In the meeting, Fr. Massimino announced the appointment of Fr.
Van Wouve as rector to replace Fr. Majcen. As for Fr. Majcen, due to his poor health, he
would have a lighter job in Đà Lạt as vice-rector in charge of the theologians and the lay
brothers in their specific formation.
The minutes of this meeting also included other items: The house of the Lazarist Fathers
was not optimal for our students for lack of facilities. So it was urgent that we had our own
studentate built. Fr. Majcen was entrusted to write to the Superiors in Turin and to Don Rauh,
Director of the Help Office in Bonn to ask for funds.
On May 24 1971 Fr. Luigi Ricceri, the Rector Major, officially established the
Studentate in conformity with canon law by Letter no. 127/71 and nominated Fr. Luigi
Massimino as its Rector by Letter no. 2345, signed on May 25 1971.
And Fr. Massimino officially began his rectorship in Đà Lạt on November 7 1971. At
this point, the philosophers could already move in the newly bought house while the lay
brothers in formation still had to stay at the small lease house. We therefore proceeded to buy
more land near Mrs. Mùi hotel to have enough space for all our brothers. Then we also
bought Mr. Năm Lành’s land. Finally we had a 1 ha land for the building of our studentate.
11. Fr. Majcen’s short visit to Ban Mê Thuột
Before going to Europe for a visit to his country, Fr. Majcen was invited by Fr. Lê
Hướng, rector of Thủ Đức, to go to Ban Mê Thuột for a short rest. He took with him 15
aspirants and some confreres who wanted to visit their parents there. In Ban Mê Thuột, Fr.
Majcen went to see Mgr. Mai whom he had known in Hà Nội as a secretary of the Hà Nội
bishopric. Fr. Majcen also went to see the land on which our orphans had lived for half a year
after they had immigrated from Hà Nội to the South. And after a few days’ rest, Fr. Majcen
came back to Sài Gòn.
2 Now 4G Bùi Thị Xuân, Đà Lạt.
|
|
23.4 Page 224 |
▲back to top |
CHAPTER 401: SALESIANS IN VIETNAM IN THE YEARS 1972-73
A National Medal award
In a letter dated May 15 1972, the Social Department Director with whom Fr. Majcen
had been collaborating from 1952 to 1972 announced that the State had issued a decree to
award Fr. Majcen the First Grade Medal for his social service.
On May 23 1972, the Minister of Social Affairs invited Fr. Majcen to come to the
Ministry office. In the presence of the Ministry’s staff, of the representatives of the Church
and the Salesian Congregation, the Minister awarded him the Medal in a solemn ceremony.
In his discourse, Dr. Nguyễn Văn Phiêu, the Minister, spoke of Fr. Majcen’s merits for the
orphans in Hà Nội, Thủ Đức and Gò Vấp. In receiving the Medal, Fr. Majcen said this honor
was not for himself but for all the Salesians who had been working with him through these
years. When he was back, all the confreres and pupils greeted him and congratulated him. In
his speech, Fr. Mario Acquistapace spoke of Fr. Majcen’s 20 years’ work as a founder of the
Salesian works in Vietnam.
A journey to Europe
Fr. Majcen left Sài Gòn for Rome, where the Congregation’s Generalate had been moved
from Turin. There he reported all the needs and conditions of Vietnam to the Rector Major,
the Regional Councilor Fr. Williams, the Economer General Fr. Pilla, and Fr. Tohill, the
Councilor General for Missions. He told them that the purpose of this journey was not only
for rest but also for raising funds for the works in Vietnam.
Then he set out to Turin to draw in spiritual resource from the Congregation’s cradle in
Valdocco. From Turin, he took the train from Trieste, crossed the Sava river and went to
Belgrado, Atene, Constantinople, etc… Finally the train stopped in Lubljana from where he
came to Krsko, his heart’s call, where his late mother had rested since 10 years.
He went to see his two sisters and the parishes run by the Salesians where he realized
that even in a communist country we could do our apostolate with Don Bosco’s pedagogy
system. This was also the kind of apostolate which the Salesians in Vietnam were currently
carrying out.
From Yugoslavia he went to Austria to see his uncle Hans for some days. Then he made
a visit to the Austrian Province, accompanied by Fr. William Schmidt whom he had known in
Macao in 1951-52. Fr. Schmidt was currently president of the Sponsoring Office for the
Austrian Province’s Missions. Fr. Schmidt then took him to Horn, near the Underwaltersdorf
School where he had a few unforgettable days with Fr. Schmidt’s sisters. He also met Fr.
Matko who kept him for a vacation in Alpi Karavanke. But he could not stay long there,
because his chief purpose was to find scholarships for his theology students. He had to go to
Germany immediately.
In Germany, following Fr. Tohill’s instruction, he flew to Gratze, Salisburg and
Frankfurt and then to Bonn where Fr. Rauh was awaiting him. He wanted to go to Aachen to
contact the Misereor to find support for the enlargement of the Gò Vấp Don Bosco Technical
School and for the specific formation for the lay brothers at Gò Vấp, as well as to find annual
scholarship for 70 Vietnamese young confreres in formation. Generally speaking, the finding
1 Chapter 39: ‘The Battle of Hell’ in the Vietnamese version was not written by Fr. Majcen and is not translated
here.
216
|
|
23.5 Page 225 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 40 : Salesians in Vietnam in the Years 1972-73 217
of financial aids to the confreres in formation was quite easy. But he needed to clearly expose
the political situation in Vietnam.
Both Fr. Majcen and Fr. Rauh were very satisfied with the good results. Finally Fr. Rauh
took Fr. Majcen to the grandiose cathedral of Aachen, then they made a tour of the vineyards
and wine productions areas in the Rhine valley.
Back to Vietnam
Early in September, Fr. Majcen flew to Gratze to bid farewell to his uncle Hans. He went
to Brezice and stayed with his sisters for a few days then took a train to Trieste-Rome. He
met the General Economer and Fr. Tohill to report on his journey. Upon arrival in Sài Gòn he
came to greet Fr. Mario Acquistapace at the provincial delegation office then went to Đà Lạt
to greet the Provincial and Fr. Massimino and reported to them on his journey. At that
moment Fr. Lagger had had a room prepared for him at the Sacred Heart Villa of the
Lazarists where he could stay as vice-rector to Fr. Massimino to take charge of the
theologians and the lay brothers in specific formation. But then Fr. Lê Hướng for some very
serious reasons had asked the Provincial to nominate Fr. Majcen as rector of Thủ Đức house
to replace him and so Fr. Majcen’s intended responsibility as vice-rector in charge of the
theologians and the lay brothers was not actualized.
The first Vietnamese Salesian priest to live out of community
Our first Vietnamese priest, Fr. Isidore Lê Hướng, after a few years as rector of the Thủ
Đức aspirantate, met with a serious scandal. He demanded the Provincial to let him live out
of the community and he obtained Fr. Machuy’s permission to go and live with his brother
who was a parish priest in Ban Mê Thuột. Therefore Fr. Machuy called Fr. Majcen back to be
rector of the Thủ Đức aspirantate.
Thus Fr. Majcen was an interim rector of the aspirantate for the years 1972-73 then
became official rector for a 3 year term between 1973 and 1976. Here was the arrangement
for the house staff: Fr. Majcen, rector; Fr. Luvisotto, vice-rector and economer; Fr. Joseph
Hiên, prefect of studies; Fr. Cho, graduated from PAS, catechist; and Fr. Aarts in charge of
the oratorian boys and poor children. After 1975 came Frs. Hào and Phùng and finally Bro.
Doãn in charge of material jobs in the house.
Fr. Lê Hướng applied for an incardination in the Ban Mê Thuột diocese but he was
refused and was only allowed to do pastoral work in the parish of Quảng Đức. Later the
bishop decided to incardinate him in the pastoral field only while he still kept his statute as a
Salesian priest. It was in May that Fr. Majcen had an opportunity to pass his vacation at this
parish.
The Thủ Đức aspirantate’s situation
As an official principal of the Thủ Đức school, Fr. Lê Hướng had well organized the
Form 7, 8 and 9 of the lower secondary school at Thủ Đức with 350 pupils who came from
poor families but who had a desire to become priests or Salesian religious. The higher
secondary school included the Forms 10, 11 and 12 with 200 pupils as Salesian aspirants, out
of whom the Form 12 students were Salesian postulants. We had good and demanding
teachers.
Fr. Hiên successfully organized a music performance in the study hall, with about 900
attendants.
|
|
23.6 Page 226 |
▲back to top |
218 Chapter 40 : Salesians in Vietnam in the Years 1972-73
At the beginning of this school year, about 30 bigger aspirants started their oratorian
activities with the boys at Savio House, on our plot of land near the Tam Hải parish. Our Don
Bosco Oratory was full of life with activities such as catechism teaching, sports and snacks.
The boys numbered 500, often up to 800.
On September 17 1972 there was a meeting of religious at the Phước Sơn monastery
where Fr. Majcen was present. The priests, monks and nuns spoke on the possible coming of
the communists and on how we should act in the new situation, without arriving at a solution.
Finally the moderate people concluded: Deus providebit!
In the meantime along the road newly built by the American soldiers linking Sài Gòn to
Đà Nẵng, the traffic was by no means safe, especially by night. Very often the police had to
remove the flags of the Liberation Front and erase the words written on the walls, and here
and there the roaring of bombing and gunfire were heard: Such was the situation when Fr.
Majcen came back to Thủ Đức.
The Special General Chapter 1971-72 and the Vietnamese Chapter
The SGC was transferred from the motherhouse in Turin to the Generalate at Pisana,
Rome. On October 29 1972 there was the beatification of Don Rua. At that time some
Salesian lay brothers put forth new ideas on the absolute equality between the priests and lay
brothers. Only at the next general chapters did the correct concept on this matter reappear.
In Vietnam, with the Rector Major’s consent, the Provincial held a special chapter on
November 21 1972 to decide on the necessary arrangements for the establishment of a
Vietnamese Special Delegation in a near future. This was the assuming of our responsibility
before the Congregation. The task was prepared by discussions in each house before the
matter was discussed at the provincial delegation level.
From Hong Kong, the Provincial Fr. Machuy together with Fr. Lomazzi and Fr. Joseph
Zen as observers came to Vietnam for this special chapter.
At the chapter, there were interventions from the house rectors and delegates and from
the novice master. The discussions were deepened and concerned the issues that had been
discussed in the previous meetings. The Provincial was sometimes confused perhaps because
he could not understand the opinions which the translator did not translate them into Italian
correctly. But Fr. Massimino was more experienced in comprehending the arguments and the
statements. He and Fr. Majcen looked for more practical solutions in the mid of the worst war
in March then in October 1972. Finally the Provincial concluded that what had been
deliberated was only our desire that needed to be approved by the Rector Major after
listening to the opinion of the Provincial Council.
Fr. Majcen’s task
At this time, the young confreres wanted to change everything even what was not
necessary. On the other hand, Fr. Majcen was sent to Thủ Đức precisely for the formation of
Salesians who should be strong, ready for the modern times, of “firm people”, as Fr. Ricceri
often said. In Fr. Majcen’s view, what we needed to do was not so much to change some
structures as some people wished, as to form the aspirants’ personality to make them become
new persons in imitation of Don Bosco. In his talks with the aspirants, he found it not
difficult to give them remarks, because they trusted him, a “novice master with 10 years’
experience.” He only found it difficult to talk with the confreres with the progressivists ideas
218
|
|
23.7 Page 227 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 40 : Salesians in Vietnam in the Years 1972-73 219
they had learned from some professors such as Lutte, Girardi and others at the PAS in Rome,
which had caused so much suffering to the Rector Major and the Superior Councilors.
But Fr. Majcen was greatly comforted because at that time he could together with the
aspirants learn how to become a Salesian “qualis esse debet” in Don Bosco’s dream, and also
by the help of God and of Mary Help of Christians. Fr. Majcen was grateful to Don Bosco
because in that dream he learned the characteristic virtues of a Salesian vocation for all times
and all moments. At that time, this was the resolution of the trio Massimino-Majcen-King,
the results of which still remain with the Salesians in Vietnam.
|
|
23.8 Page 228 |
▲back to top |
CHAPTER 41: TOWARD SETTING UP THE VIETNAMESE
DELEGATION OF THE RECTOR MAJOR
(JAN 1 1973 – JUNE 6 1975)
1973
After series of air raids and atrocious battles across the South for ten days during
Christmas, there was a ceasefire and then peace negotiations in Paris between the Americans,
the South and the North governments. The people however did not believe in the success of
these negotiations. At Thủ Đức we were celebrating the feasts of St. Francis of Sales and St.
John Bosco. Archbishop Bình came to preside over the Mass and gave the homily on St. John
Bosco.
On January 24 there was an announcement of the signing of a peace Agreement. The
news was received with great joy but on the 25 there was rumor that the ceasefire would
become bloody. In spite of that, on the eve of Tết, January 26, we had a big feast at Thủ Đức
with the presence also of the Archbishop.
On January 27, the date on which the ceasefire took effect, some people who were on
their way to Đà Lạt had to come back in fright because there were attacks on the way. Several
bridges were destroyed, and there were cannons and gunfire everywhere. In the night, signal
flares brightened the sky and the houses were trembling.
At 8 am of January 28, President Thiệu announced on TV that more than 300 areas
throughout the South had been raided by the communists and 200 places had been intruded
for their propaganda. While he was speaking of peace, bombardments continued and peace
was vanishing!
In the meantime the Americans began their withdrawal to leave the Vietnamese their
own defense. And so the war continued raging in Vietnam until April 30 1975.
After the Tết holidays, the school resumed their classes. On March 6, the Delegation
Council met to discuss prospective works after our split from the Hong Kong Province. It was
decided that our Thủ Đức house would be changed into an Aspirantate and Interreligious
High School, and to move here the lay brothers in specific formation from Gò Vấp together
with the confreres currently studying at the State universities.
Thus we dropped the idea of an establishment of a formation house in Bảo Lộc because
of lack of funds and impossibility to sell the Trạm Hành house and land.
In April the Delegation Council agreed on the opening of the Technical School in Đà
Nẵng where Mgr. Chi, our old friend in Bùi Chu previously, had everything prepared for the
workshops. Fr. Tchong would go to Đà Nẵng to supervise the constructions and help the
parish priest there. Fr. Generoso Bogo, future rector of Đà Nẵng, would temporarily take care
for the spiritual life of the St. Paul Sisters in Đà Nẵng.
The Delegation Council also agreed to sent the post-philosophy formation confreres to
attend the State university in order to get diplomas for our future schools.
At Gò Vấp, Fr. Van Wouve would restructure the Technical School and the Apostolic
School for poor pupils, and build new workshops of electricity and mechanics, while waiting
for the equipment on the way to be sent here.
220
|
|
23.9 Page 229 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 41: Toward Setting Up Vietnamese Delegation of the Rector Major 221
Finally, at Fr. Majcen’s insistence, the Council also consented on the sending of the lay
brothers to Đà Lạt for two years’ formation in fundamental theology, philosophy and
pedagogy. All this was on its way before it was blown away by the communists’ victory in
1975.
Fr. Luvisotto and the Providence
When the Americans began their withdrawal, our economer Fr. Luvisotto came to them
and obtained from them so many stuffs for the necessities of our poor boys. His venerable
beard and his imagery language won the sympathy of all people. And all these goods he
received from God’s bounty were distributed also to the Đà Lạt Studentate and the poor.
Monthly retreats
In their monthly retreats, the confreres frequently came to the Phước Sơn Monastery
where they had a quiet atmosphere to meditate, listen to the sermons and make confession.
After lunch, they had a round table discussion on the renewal and the carrying of the planned
tasks.
The beginning of the great development between 1973 and 1975
At the beginning of the school year 1973-74, Fr. Majcen was officially appointed rector
of Thủ Đức house for a 3 year term. He had a number of complicate duties to face with.
The first problem was about the interreligious aspirantate where we had 200 Salesian
aspirants in Forms 10 to 12 and 150 aspirants from other congregations (Franciscans, Jesuits,
Redemptorists, Domus Dei, John of God, Benedictines, Blessed Sacrament, John the Baptist,
and diocesan seminarians…). They followed the State education programs in various section:
A (Natural Sciences), B (Maths), and C (Languages).
Together with the cleric aspirants, there were also lay brother aspirants who came from
Gò Vấp because Fr. Thomas Har had returned to Hong Kong. Apart from the aspirantate,
there was also a hostel for the confreres attending the State universities. In addition, assistants
were sent here for their practical training: they helped to assist the boys while attending some
professional courses.
The Rector Major Fr. Ricceri’s canonical visit
Fr. Ricceri, the Rector Major, came to Thủ Đức, accompanied by two Superior
Councilors Fr. Dho and Fr. Viganò, and by the Provincial Fr. Machuy and Fr. Acquistapace.
He was welcomed by all the community and the superiors of other congregations whose
students were studying at our aspirantate. We had the honor to have the presence also of
Archbishop Nguyễn Văn Bình, the Superior of the Lasalle Brothers and the Daughters of
Mary Help of Christians (FMA). The Rector Major praised the FMA for their admirable
Italian and exhorted our aspirants to learn Italian beside English and French. Fr. Majcen had a
talk with the Superiors on the formation of the Salesian aspirants.
Inauguration of the Đà Lạt Studentate
In Đà Lạt, Fr. Massimino with the collaboration of Fr. Stra and Fr. Lagger had completed
the building of the Studentate and they were awaiting the Rector Major’s visit. Fr. Ricceri
went to Đà Lạt with Fr. Mario Acquistapace, and Mgr. Carretto, a Salesian bishop in
Thailand. They talked with the Nuncio in Vietnam and with the Thailand and Philippines
Provincials. Fr. Majcen also accompanied them on another car together with some confreres.
|
|
23.10 Page 230 |
▲back to top |
222 Chapter 41: Toward Setting Up Vietnamese Delegation of the Rector Major
Arriving in Bảo Lộc, Fr. Majcen’s car got a serious accident without anybody being gravely
hurt, thanks to God’s Providence, and they came to Đà Lạt very late into the night.
Inauguration of the Đà Lạt
Studentate with Fr.
Ricceri, Rector Major, in
the midst of ecclesiastical
and civil authorities
On November 11 1973 the inauguration took place solemnly. In the midst of the Đà Lạt
community including the Rector Fr. Massimino, Fr. Stra, Fr. Lagger and all the students of
philosophy and theology and the lay brothers in formation, the Rector Major cut the
inauguration band and declared the Don Rua Studentate opened, in the presence of the
Bishop, the Director and teaching staff of the Pius X Pontifical Atheneum, several parish
priests and the civil authorities. After a party with an artistic performance, the guests were
guided for a tour of the new building with 80 rooms, a pretty chapel, a hall and a large
refectory. Besides, there were spacious playgrounds.
The development of the Oratories
Full of zeal, the confreres soon organized the oratories not only at Thủ Đức but also at
Tam Hải and Xuân Hiệp. The confreres who were students at university and the aspirants
organized games for the children, gave them catechism lessons and concluded every oratory
session by distributing them biscuits and sweets before dismissing them. Besides, we had also
oratory programs at other places such as at the prisons and rehabilitation centers.
The trade schools
There were numerous idle children in the streets. The lay brothers in specific formation
proposed to Fr. Majcen to open some simple workshops to teach them some useful trades. Fr.
Majcen agreed and Fr. Luvisotto obtained from the American camps some useful tools. The
lay brothers were happy to help the children and in the meantime to be enriched in their
competences.
Masses for the departed on November 2 1974
At the beginning of November 1974, people flocked to the cemeteries, the Military
Cemetery of Biên Hòa in particular, to visit and pray for their loved ones who had be killed in
this war.
The Salesian community of Thủ Đức, headed by Fr. Majcen, also went to our Salesian
Cemetery at Tam Hải to pray for our departed confreres. They stood and prayed before the
222
|
|
24 Pages 231-240 |
▲back to top |
|
|
24.1 Page 231 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 41: Toward Setting Up Vietnamese Delegation of the Rector Major 223
tomb of Bro. Peter Nguyễn Anh Hùng, an assistant at Gò Vấp School, who had just been
drown in swimming in May 1974.
We also prayed the rosary for our departed, especially for Mgr. Kerec, SDB, a
missionary in Guangsi, China, who died in 1974; Fr. Braga, died in 1971; Mgr. Hiền, 1974;
Mgr. Cassaigne, 1974; Fr. Dupont, 1945; Bro. Borri, 1966.
Thanksgiving Mass
Fr. Majcen was so happy to attend the thanksgiving Mass of his two newly ordained
priests, Fr. Peter Đệ and Fr. Michael Phùng who had just graduated from the Pius X
Pontifical Atheneum.
Christmas 1974
Christmas was celebrated solemnly as in previous years. Among our guests was a
Buddhist monk named Thích Trí Dũng, head of a pagoda near our house. He wanted to attend
our midnight Mass and also our Christmas gifts gathering. He was very happy to get a gift.
The last canonical visit of the Provincial Fr. Machuy
In the visit, we deliberated on the last details of our upcoming spit from the Hong Kong
province. Fr. Machuy wanted the return of all the Chinese confreres to Hong Kong, but an
agreement was made to keep some of these confreres in Vietnam for some time. There was a
consultation on the choice of the possible delegate of the Rector Major in Vietnam and his
vicar. The consultation gave two names: Fr. Massimino and Fr. Majcen as delegate and Fr.
Ty and Fr. Hiên as vice-delegate.
Then they went to Hong Kong: Fr. Massimino and Fr. Ty for a consultation meeting
regarding SDB Vietnam, while Fr. Mario Acquistapace and Musso to stay there permanently.
Fr. Majcen was very sorry that he hadn’t known that Fr. Mario would never return to
Vietnam, otherwise he would have a ceremony held to show our gratitude to Fr. Mario for all
he had done to Vietnam for so many years, first as a Provincial (1952-58), then as Provincial
Delegate for Vietnam (1958-74). He was a great apostle of Mary Help of Christians, the
Mother of Don Bosco. Fr. Majcen and all Vietnamese Salesians are immensely grateful to Fr.
Mario Acquistapace.
Vietnam became a Delegation of the Rector Major
Vietnam had long been prepared to be split from the Hong Kong Province, and now this
was approved by the Rector Major, Fr. Ricceri by a decree dated July 12 1974.
The Vietnamese Delegation comprised the following communities:
1. Đà Lạt: The Studentate for Philosophy and Theology. Rector: Fr. Massimino.
2. Trạm Hành: The Novitiate. Novice Master: Fr. King.
3. Trạm Hành: The Apostolic School. Rector: Fr. Hiên.
4. Gò Vấp: The Technical School. Rector: Fr. Ty.
5. Tam Hải: Youth Center. Fr. Donders.
6. Thủ Đức: Interreligious Aspirantate – Specific Formation for Lay Brothers – Hostel
for University Confreres. Rector: Fr. Majcen.
Fr. Luigi Massimino was appointed Delegate of the Rector Major. Fr. Ty: Vicar.
|
|
24.2 Page 232 |
▲back to top |
224 Chapter 41: Toward Setting Up Vietnamese Delegation of the Rector Major
Fr. Majcen’s tasks at Thủ Đức in 1974-75
Fr. Majcen’s tasks included: management of the interreligious aspirante; management of
the Hostels for the lay brothers in specific formation and university Salesian students;
management of the Oratory; spiritual director for the FMA and their oratory; in charge of the
Volunteers of Don Bosco (VDB). These were very heavy tasks; in addition, he had also
responsible for the correspondence with benefactors in Vietnam and abroad. In the house, he
had Fr. Luvisotto, vice-rector and economer, as a very good helper. Besides, Fr. Fabiano Hào
and Fr. Michael Phùng were house councilors. Fr. Peter Aarts and Fr. Michael Bảo were
confessors. The total number of confreres was 27.
Fr. Majcen was septuagenian
Fr. Majcen’s 70th birth day was celebrated very solemnly. Fr. Ty had an initiative to
celebrate the 30th anniversary of the beginning of Salesian works in Vietnam and the event of
the split of Vietnam from the Chinese Province. Invited were representatives from every
house, the FMAs, the VDBs, and the president of the past pupils. The celebration took place
in great joy and solemnity. No one expected it would be the last great celebration at Thủ Đức.
In fact, tragedy fell on Vietnam six months later.
Celebrations of Fr.
Majcen’s 70th Birthday and
the 30th Anniversary of the
Salesians in Vietnam
224
|
|
24.3 Page 233 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 41: Toward Setting Up Vietnamese Delegation of the Rector Major 225
An expiation pilgrimage
The Thủ Đức community decided to make a pilgrimage to the Fatima shrine near the
Bình Lợi Bridge. The confreres walked with their rosaries in hand. It seemed that everybody
sensed a great disaster was approaching the Salesian works and the whole of Vietnam.
We prayed that merciful God and Mary most holy be always with us whatever danger
would befall.
After a long walk under the burning sun, we arrived at Fatima, a very large pilgrimage
land with a church, several chapels and sites for pilgrims. The site was at the bank of a river
taking in fresh breath for pilgrims at the shrine.
Here the aspirants and the confreres had their own recollections and then gathered for a
Mass. Beside us, several other groups of pilgrims also came, all full of confidence in Mary of
Fatima, their only remaining hope. All prayed the rosary, made confessions and attended
Masses. By groups or individually they came here to pray instead of going to La Vang where
Our Lady had appeared but where the church had been destroyed by war.
A ceasefire during the Tết holidays
At the Tết, cannons and gunfire stopped. But the silence made people tremble. Our Fr.
Vincent Quí, a captain and chaplain, invited Fr. Majcen to enjoy the Tết in Biên Hoà. At
lunch, Fr. Quí notified him of the news that if the communists won the war, they would expel
all priests and missionaries because, according to them, Catholics were imperialists. As he
was involved with the RVN Army, Fr. Quí said he would leave Vietnam once the
communists arrived. The foreign Salesians in Vietnam kept posing this question: “What
should we do?”
Nominations of new bishops
From its experience in China, the Holy See hurried to nominate a bishop for every
diocese sede vacante and an assistant bishop for every diocese. For the Diocese of Đà Lạt
that was sede vacante after the death of Mgr. Simon Hoà Hiền, Fr. Bartholomew Lâm, CSS,
was nominated bishop. The consecration of the new bishops was made on St. Joseph’s feast
day, March 19. The Holy See recommended the pastors to stay with their flocks where the
communists occupied. Frs. Massimino and Majcen had promised to the bishop of Đà Lạt they
would stay with their Salesian confreres.
Hopes or illusions?
On March 6 1973, Fr. Massimino wrote to the Rector Major that the confreres in
Vietnam numbered 141, mostly under 30 years old, including Fr. Ty, the vice delegate. Out
of them 21 were Vietnamese priests, 64 clerics, 19 novices in Đà Lạt, and foreign Salesian
lay brothers and missionaries. The Salesian works were developing at full speed, and even if
the communists were preparing for a large scale attack, it was believed that the nationalists
would resist successfully and therefore the Salesians were determined to stay at their places
and continue their apostolate.
In the meanwhile on the radio and on the press abroad, there was news that the defeat of
the RVN was approaching.
There was news of a surprise attack of the communists in Ban Mê Thuột on March 10
1975, while in Đà Lạt the situation was still calm… In that atmosphere, all were expecting
some indescribable event.
|
|
24.4 Page 234 |
▲back to top |
226 Chapter 41: Toward Setting Up Vietnamese Delegation of the Rector Major
To leave or to stay?
The Holy See gave order to the pastors in Vietnam not to abandon their faithful. Except
Fr. Quí, Fr. Majcen, Fr. Massimino and other foreign Salesians had decided to stay in
Vietnam with the Vietnamese Salesians. This was a great consolation and comfort for the
Vietnamese Salesians. However there was order that the confreres lent to Vietnam by the
Chinese Province had to return to Hong Kong. Fr. Francis Tsang was the first to be called
back. Thus Fr. Majcen had to replace Fr. Tsang to take care of the VDBs, by gathering them
every month for a retreat and giving conferences for their formation. He got very rich
resources left by Fr. Tsang and Fr. Mario. Fr. Majcen studied their rules and charism to apply
to their formation. Since they hadn’t passed their novitiate according to the rule, he asked
from their generalate in Rome to have a canonical novitiate for them.
226
|
|
24.5 Page 235 |
▲back to top |
CHAPTER 431: THE PANIC EVACUATION FROM 19-3-1975 AND THE
SURRENDER OF SÀI GÒN
Feast of St. Joseph
To keep the confreres’ morale high, Fr. Massimino had the feast of St. Joseph solemnly
celebrated at Đà Lạt. The gathering included all the philosophy and theology students, the lay
brothers in specific formation, the novices, the postulants who had come with Fr. Hào from
Thủ Đức. Fr. Stra, Fr. Lagger and Bro. Bullo prepared a very solemn chanting Mass. After
Mass, all had a very happy party but at the end of the party, news came that the communists
had cut the route Đà Lạt – Sài Gòn while they were advancing toward Đà Lạt. So we decided
to evacuate via Nha Trang from where to take a boat to Vũng Tàu, a district at about 120
kilometers from Sài Gòn. Fr. Hào and the postulants took a coach to the seashore. At Trạm
Hành Fr. Hiên hurried packing some necessary stuff then took 300 small aspirants in four
coaches for Nha Trang. Fr. King and Fr. Lagger took care of the novices and a number of the
philosophers. There remained in Đà Lạt only Fr. Stra, Bro. Bullo and some clerics who
volunteered to stay. Fr. Uyển had intended to stay at Trạm Hành but as two of the boys had
missed the bus, he had to take them to chase after Fr. Hiên’s coaches. On the way, he met Fr.
Massimino who ordered him to join the group and go together to Sài Gòn for the possibility
of teaching the theologians there in the future.
From Đà Lạt, other religious men and women also evacuated via Nha Trang. Our
confreres and aspirants came to Phan Rí, where Fr. Peter Lê Văn Tịnh, a parish priest and Fr.
Majcen’s ex-novice, helped to find some fishermen who had a boat and who could take us to
Vũng Tàu.
In the worrying atmosphere in Sài Gòn
News about the dangerous situation in Đà Lạt brought worries to Sài Gòn where Fr.
Majcen kept updating information about it by phone or telegram but unsuccessfully because
all communication channels were interrupted. Parents of the boys in Đà Lạt came to inquire
about their children’s conditions but Fr. Majcen was unable to give them an answer.
The evacuation by boat
Our evacuees arrived at Phan Rí where they were received and given food by the parish
priest there, who then found boats to take them to Vũng Tàu. From Vũng Tàu, they took
coaches to Thủ Đức where Fr. Majcen happily received them and had a meal prepared for
them. The aspirants’ parents at once brought their sons home. Thus ended unhappily the
Trạm Hành Apostolic School which we had spent so much energy to build and in which we
had put so much hope!
By the end of April, the novices and philosophers had been settled a part at Gò Vấp and a
part at Thủ Đức. Fr. Majcen did his best by acting both as rector and novice master to replace
Fr. King who had returned to Hong Kong from where he went to China to see his old mother
whom he hadn’t seen for so many years.
1 Chapter 42: “The Ban Mê Thuột Battle on March 10 1975” in the Vietnamese version was not written by Fr.
Majcen and is not translated here.
227
|
|
24.6 Page 236 |
▲back to top |
228 Chapter 43 : The Panic Evacuation and the Surrender of Sài Gòn
Then news reached Thủ Đức about the bloody battle in Quảng Đức where a thousand
Catholic soldiers were killed. The national army became greatly discouraged. Although the
soldiers still had enough weapons and ammunitions, very few still had a will to fight.
April 1975
In spite of the general bad situation, at Thủ Đức we still went on with the existing classes
and an added class for the novices who had come from Trạm Hành.
When Đà Nẵng collapsed, Mgr. Chi recommended Fr. Bogo and Fr. Tchong to go back
to Hong Kong.
Fr. De Meulenear (Cha Ngọc) assumed his chaplainship of the Lovers of the Cross and
their Ba Thôn chapel, where Fr. Ty used to go to say Mass. Ba Thôn later became the
headquarters for the Vietnamese Salesian Delegation.
When the route Sài Gòn – Đà Lạt was reopened, we received news from Fr. Lagger and
Fr. Stra who had remained with some volunteer confreres at Đà Lạt. There they had done a
very great job. The Trạm Hành house had been abandoned. The Rector Major kept
continuous correspondence with Vietnam: he insisted Fr. Majcen to stay in Vietnam with the
young Vietnamese Salesians. No one knew what would happen. The American had left
according to their policy. The Church which did not do politics stayed, and we Salesians were
determined to stay with the Church. However, Fr. Viganò instructed on how to implement the
hand-over of power to the Vietnamese Salesians, to grant special faculties to the Rector
Major’s delegate, as also to the priests who could not officially exercise their ministries. In
the same time the North government had asked Vatican to nominate Archbishop Trịnh Như
Khuê of Hà Nội as a first Cardinal in Vietnam, and Mgr. Trịnh Văn Căn as assistant
archbishop. Both were permitted to go to Rome. That was a quite open policy at least in the
beginning.
Many Vietnamese citizen, with about 30 priests, including our Fr. Vincent Quí, had left
Vietnam and got entry visas in the United States. Many others who had not an entry visa also
bought boats and ventured their lives to leave Vietnam by sea to Thailand, Malaysia and
Hong Kong. Innumerable boats people lost their lives in this evacuation. The sea had become
the grave for many.
The last week
The communists occupied the provinces one after another. Quảng Trị, Huế, then Đà
Nẵng in turn fell. On April 22, President Thiệu resigned. Gen. Minh replaced him.
To serve the evacuation of the Vietnamese, the Americans used giant ships and airplanes.
Fr. Aarts and Fr. Donders having their Hollander visas departed for Europe. One hundred
Lasalle Brothers and Redemptorists left Vietnam. Fr. Majcen was offered to board an
American airplane together with the clerics but he refused because he wanted to stay with his
dear sons in Vietnam. Many aspirants and postulants left together with their parents. Fr.
Massimino recommended everybody to be in cold blood and calm.
Sài Gòn City seemed calm and quiet. The traffic was normal. However the battles round
the city were going on, the gas deposits burned, the arsenals detonated, the sky clouded with
smoke, and on the last days of April 1975, the sky of the city turned gray and gloomy.
On April 28 we heard about the fall of Biên Hoà, a city 20 kilometers from Sài Gòn. The
communist troops prepared to enter Sài Gòn. Sài Gòn government under president “Big”
228
|
|
24.7 Page 237 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 43 : The Panic Evacuation and the Surrender of Sài Gòn 229
Minh surrendered but a portion of the RSV Army still resisted while withdrawing to the
Mekong Delta.
On the eve of 29 and 30, people could not sleep. Rockets tore across the sky. At 2.00 am
Fr. Majcen heard the roaring of American tanks led by South Vietnamese soldiers but these
all wore berets with the communists’ star. The tanks were heading for Sài Gòn.
Near our house in Gò Vấp the nationalists burnt their weapons arsenal causing
explosions with smokes and flames covering the sky. At 10 am we knew we were safe. In the
afternoon some brave people went out to the city. The communist soldiers were everywhere.
They all were smiling as they were welcomed by the people.
|
|
24.8 Page 238 |
▲back to top |
CHAPTER 451: SOUTH VIETNAM WAS LOST TO THE
COMMUNISTS – AND THE IMPLICATIONS FOR THE SALESIANS
On April 30 1975, at 10 am, Fr. Majcen heard the news that Sài Gòn was completely in
the hands of the communists!
The cannons and gunfire receded. In the afternoon some braver people went downtown.
They saw the communist soldiers everywhere in amiable and cheerful appearances as if to
win the sympathy of the Sài Gòn people.
The hand-over of authority in the Congregation
On May 1, Fr. Massimino came to Thủ Đức and proposed to Fr. Majcen to hand over his
rectorship to Fr. Fabiano Hào. The hand-over was made smoothly and was celebrated in a
simple manner by toasts in the community. And Fr. Massimino in his turn handed his
authority as delegate of the Rector Major to Fr. John Ty, his vicar, and as soon as the route
Sài Gòn-Đà Lạt was cleared, he returned to Đà Lạt with his students.
The crowds of refugees in Sài Gòn were now allowed to return to their places of origin.
Even the foreign missionaries as well as the Salesians could enjoy a relative freedom in the
beginning.
Sài Gòn on May 1 1975
Everybody knew they had to begin their new life with the new regime, and so people in
Sài Gòn tried to find favor with their new masters. Red flags with star were hanged
everywhere, together with the picture of Hồ Chí Minh, while the name Sài Gòn City was
changed into Hồ Chí Minh City.
Sài Gòn City with 3 million inhabitants was overcrowded with refugees who were now
able to return to their places of origin. The roads were jammed with people traveling when all
the main roads in the part under Parallel 17 were now cleared.
After handing his power to Fr. Ty, Fr. Massimino prepared to go back to his studentate in
Đà Lạt. Before leaving Sài Gòn, he went to greet the Sài Gòn Archbishop Nguyễn Văn Bình,
the Xuân Lộc Bishop and also the newly consecrated bishop of Đà Lạt, Mgr. Bartholomew
Nguyễn Sơn Lâm, asking him to support the young Salesian Congregation in Vietnam.
After handing the Thủ Đức School to Fr. Hào, Fr. Majcen went to St. Paul Hospital for a
cure and rest.
Now as delegate of the Rector Major, Fr. John Ty, with the consent of Fr. Massimino,
chose for his council:
Fr. Joseph Hiên: Vicar
Fr. Marc Huỳnh: Economer (Fr. Van Wouve: Vice-economer)
Fr. Dominic Uyển: Councilor
Fr. Fabian Hào: Councilor
Bro. Joseph Hoan: Councilor.
1 Chapter 44: “The Events of April 30 1975” in the Vietnamese version was not written by Fr. Majcen and is not
translated here.
230
|
|
24.9 Page 239 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 46: Fr. Luigi Massimino and His Last Moments 231
Fr. Ty began to study with his council on the faculties he needed to ask from the Rector
Major so as to respond to the difficult situation, especially in the impossibility of
communication with the superiors in Rome.
Knowing that in the new regime, all the Catholic schools would soon be nationalized, all
Catholic organizations abolished and the priests’ activities would be limited to the parish and
the church only, the council asked the bishops of Sài Gòn, Xuân Lộc and Đà Lạt to give to us
their vacant parishes where their former parish priests had gone overseas. The bishops were
pleased to grant us 14 parishes and communities which were without a priest. In these new
environments, although our Salesians were living in extreme poverty, they could still be
faithful with their Salesian vocation. At Gò Vấp there was still the Orphanage. At the
Technical School, its teachers and employees had to attend a course of indoctrination. Near
our small chapel at Bến Cát, we had two priests and some lay brothers who earn their living
by planting rice and raising pigs. At Thủ Đức we had still 70 aspirants. In Đà Lạt we had the
Studentate of Philosophy and Theology…
The confreres who did not belong to these communities went to the following parishes:
Sài Gòn:
Ba Thôn: Fr. Ty; Cầu Bông: Fr. Hưng; Củ Chi: Bro. Vĩnh; Hốc Môn: Fr. Hoè; GV
Technical School: Bro. Hiển; Bến Cát: Fr. De Meulenear; GV Orphanage: Fr. Huỳnh;
Delegation House: Fr Van Wouve, Fr. Bá; Tam Hải Novitiate: Fr. Majcen; Xuân Hiệp: Fr.
Đệ.
Đồng Nai:
Tân Cang: Fr. Phùng; Phú Sơn: Fr. Hướng; Đức Huy: Fr. Hiên; Suối Quít-Cẩm Đường:
Deac. Hữu.
Lâm Đồng:
Đà Lạt: Fr Massimino; Trạm Hành: abandoned; Liên Khương: Fr. Uyển; Thanh Bình: Fr.
Tiệm.
Fr. Majcen reappointed novice master
On May 6 1975, Fr. Ty came to St. Paul Hospital to tell Fr. Majcen that, with the consent
of his council, he had nominated Fr. Majcen as novice master and rector. The novitiate would
be started on the feast of Mary Help of Christians at the former delegation house which had
been repaired by Fr. Van Wouve; and the novitiate would be provided with financial
resources. Thus in Fr. Ty’s presence, 15 cleric novices began their novitiate under the
guidance of Fr. Majcen. That was the 16th novitiate course in Vietnam. The VDBs also came
here every month for their activities.
Other novitiate courses after 1975
Novitiate course 1976-77: Novice master: Fr. Majcen, with 8 novices: Trần Văn Cường,
Trần Văn Hào, Trần Thanh Phương, Đỗ Đình Sáng, Nguyễn Tiến Đạt, Nguyễn Tuấn Đoàn,
Nguyễn Thanh Minh, Trần Ngọc Thắng. There now (1986) remain: Fr. Cường, Fr. Hào, Fr.
Phương, Bro. Sáng.
Novitiate course 1977-78: Novice master: Fr. Majcen for 1 month, then Fr. Đệ. Now
there remain: Fr. Bộ, Fr. Hưng, Fr. Liêm, Fr. Tuấn…
|
|
24.10 Page 240 |
▲back to top |
232 Chapter 45: South Vietnam Was Lost – The Implications for the Salesians
Novitiate course 1978-79: Novice master: Fr. Đệ. Now there remain: Fr. Chấn, Fr. Tân.
Novitiate course 1979-80: Novice Master: Fr. Đệ. Now there remain: Fr. Hiển.
The new regime’s rule
In every corners of the city loudspeakers kept sending continued messages on the life
reformation, calling people to read newspapers, and requesting government authorities on all
levels to carry out new instructions of the State.
A new economy program obliged all refugees to return to their places of origin. Those
inhabitants in Sài Gòn without a job were forced to go to the new economy regions to turn the
land to grow rice and industrial plants. The religious had to go to Củ Chi, a remote district of
Sài Gòn, for agricultural productions.
The people could not publicly protest for fear of revenge; they had to obey and comply
to the orders and to praise the new regime.
The Apostolic Nuncio was criticized by some protesters and was expelled from Vietnam,
under the pretext that he no longer had any role in Vietnam now that the Cardinal Trịnh Như
Khuê could manage all the affairs of the Vietnamese Church.
All people had to register for their residence. Fr. Majcen had to declare his Yugoslavian
nationality and his Slovenian ethnicity.
Moreover, no one could move from one place to another without the government’s
permission, which as very difficult to get and the priests could almost never get one. It was
lucky for the Salesians because knowing it beforehand, they had previously dispersed in
various locations.
The last days of May and the first days of June
On the last Sunday of May the VDBs came. Fr. Majcen helped them to make the
monthly retreat and instructed them on their new life style to adapt to the new regime. The
VDB candidates numbered 12, who were nurses, tailors, secretaries, teachers, and
kindergartners…).
Life in the novitiate
Fr. Majcen managed to keep the novitiate in place but it was frequently harassed by the
security men through investigations and noisy announcements on the loudspeakers which
made the novices very difficult to recollect. The novices also used waste lands for cultivation.
Confreres who left the Congregation
The new director of the our former Technical School invited our lay brothers to continue
to teach with the promise of a high salary. Some of our confreres with extravagant ideas were
pleased with this promise and asked for the consent of Fr. Ty, delegate of the Rector Major.
The latter answered them that we could not serve both masters and therefore, if they would
not continue to be Salesians, they could ask for a dispensation of their vows.
Seven of them applied for and were granted the dispensation and within a short time
some of them got married.
232
|
|
25 Pages 241-250 |
▲back to top |
|
|
25.1 Page 241 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 46: Fr. Luigi Massimino and His Last Moments 233
Vietnam’s entrance into socialism since January 19762
On Christmas news came from Sài Gòn that the Salesians’ morale in Vietnam was very
high. On December 24 1975, Fr. Ty signed the document handing our Technical School over
to the government. Our Orphanage, however, is still well run by the Salesians under the
direction of the good Fr. Huỳnh. At Bến Cát, the Salesian community earned their living by
growing vegetables and raising pigs, chickens, and geese. At Thủ Đức we have 70 teenager
aspirants who go to state schools half a day and do manual work for the other half. At the
Tam Hải novitiate there are 12 novices under the direction of Fr. Majcen. At Ba Thôn, 30
kilometers from Sài Gòn, we have a community and the headquarter of Fr. Ty, delegate of Fr.
Rector Major. He also assumes the role of a parish priest. At Đức Huy, 70 kilometers from
Sài Gòn, we have 8 clerics under the rectorship of Fr. Hiên who is also a parish priest. These
clerics both study and work. This is the characteristic life style of our Salesians in Vietnam:
they work to earn their living while continue their study and religious formation. At Đà Lạt
we have 42 cleric students with Fr. Thêm and Fr. Khơi. Here also, the students have three
classes in the morning and one hour work in the garden for vegetable production… At Thanh
Bình parish, we have 6 brothers with Fr. Tiệm. At Liên Khương we have 12 brothers under
the guidance of Fr. Uyển, a PAS graduate. The brothers both work and study. Some are going
to be ordained priests and deacons soon.
The number of confreres in 1975 was 141, then in 1976 some foreign Salesians were
expelled and the total number was 131. 7 Salesians had left the Congregation but in
compensation we had 12 novices under the direction of Fr. Majcen. At the Củ Chi New
Economic Zone, we had a number of lay brothers and clerics under the leadership of Bro.
Hiển, a Sài Gòn Technology University graduate.
Except Fr. Vincent Quí, a military chaplain, and Fr. Peter Cho who both had immigrated
in USA, all other Vietnamese Salesians remained in Vietnam.
The novitiate was moved to Tam Hải, Thủ Đức
Fr. Fabian Hào won favor with the government officials by offering two buses and
several smaller cars in the garage. He also let them use the dining hall and the dormitory for
the training of their security men. These had good discipline and kept the rules set out by Fr.
Hào. The remaining areas of the house were still available for our aspirants.
At the Tam Hải house, Fr. Hào also offered the government the use of the Savio house
and the facilities there. The place then became a big garage at the State usage.
In compensation, Fr. Hào got permission to move our novitiate to Tam Hải, at the house
built by Fr. Donders. Fr. Majcen had his novices transform the house into a more quiet place
with a dormitory, a classroom, a refectory, and a room for the novice master who was
frequently ill… Besides, there were also domestic work for the novices with the help of Fr.
Đệ, Fr. Bá, Bro. Thuộc and the novice assistant, with the raising of pigs, rabbits, hen, ducks
and geese… These also provided the novices with very interesting occupations.
Pastoral activities with neighboring parishes
Fr. Majcen made visits to neighboring parishes where he asked the parish priests to let
the novices do pastoral activities of an Oratory including catechism classes and Masses. He
contacted in particular the parish of St. Francis Xavier whose faithful were very pleased with
our novices’ activities. Fr. Majcen also visited the Benedictine monastery nearby where he
2 From Bollettino Salesiano April 1 1976.
|
|
25.2 Page 242 |
▲back to top |
234 Chapter 45: South Vietnam Was Lost – The Implications for the Salesians
asked the Benedictine superior to be the confessor for the novices and the novice master, and
to preach monthly retreat to the novitiate.
Fr. Majcen also asked the Khiết Tâm Lovers of the Cross to take care of the novitiate’s
cooking. They sent some of their novices to come and look after the kitchen as well as some
other occupations.
Doing labor duties
All citizen, even the Salesian religious and aspirants and the FMA had to do their labor
duties in the irrigation works. These were very hard work and also dangerous due to
poisonous snakes in the fields while all the tasks were done manually without any machines.
The workers weren’t paid and had to take their own meals with them.
A currency change
One day there was an order for the currency change. The amount of money allowed to be
changed was extremely limited and with this policy, the State managed to establish equality
in the country in which all became poor alike! Luckily for us that Fr. Bá had previously heard
of this and he had used our money to buy a great amount of stuff and incorruptible things to
resell later for money so that nothing was lost to us.
Fr. Majcen as a friend of Tito
Fr. Majcen was the only Yugoslavian citizen in Vietnam and was considered the only
Yugoslavian subject of President Tito. One day an official of the Education Department came
to talk with him about Yugoslavia. Fr. Majcen told him about what he had known in his visit
to his country in 1958 and 1972, and about society and education in his country.
Later they invited him and Fr. Hào to a dinner in Thủ Đức. Fr. Majcen was truly
impressive when he saw before him a roasted pig which he wondered how they could have it.
Then there was the dinner with the songs of the revolutionary soldiers and our aspirants’
brass band and speeches. After all had some first class French wine, they invited Fr. Majcen
to speak. It was really difficult for him to speak about the new regime in the presence of our
aspirants: he could not speak out his true thoughts: to praise or to condemn it? So he
proposed to speak about his honor to see President when he was in Kunming in 1938.
“As you know, one day in 1938 in Kunming, China, I saw President Hồ Chí Minh when
he came out from a hotel near our school, where there was the headquarter of the Liberation
Army. President Hồ smiled at me, shook my hand and greeted me in French: “Comment
allez-vous?” Then he apparently wanted to ask me something more but the Chinese soldiers
hurriedly took him away in their jeep. But now in 1975, after so many years, President Hồ
still seems to smile at everybody in all the houses in Sài Gòn and he is smiling at all of us
who are here now.”
And all the participants applauded Fr. Majcen’s speech!
August
In August Mgr. Seitz was taken to Sài Gòn for departure. He was the last French bishop
to leave Vietnam.
On August 27, the Đà Lạt security summoned the professors of the Pius X Pontifical
Atheneum and of our Studentate for a session.
234
|
|
25.3 Page 243 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 46: Fr. Luigi Massimino and His Last Moments 235
September
Two days later, Fr. Massimino, Fr. Stra, Fr. Lagger and Bro. Bullo suddenly came to
Tam Hải. They had to sign on a declaration of leaving Vietnam by their own will, and they
were obliged to part on the next day. Their short appearance seemed to make Fr. Majcen stop
breathing. All these four people flew to Bangkok from where Fr. Massimino and Fr. Stra
went to Hong Kong, while the other two to Rome. From Rome, Bro. Bullo could send news
about Fr. Majcen to Fr. Vode and Fr. Majcen’s sisters.
The schools taken by the government
On September 9 1975 Mgr. Bình officially handed our Gò Vấp Technical School over to
the government where they had already moved in for a time. There remained to us Salesians
only the Orphanage with 121 orphans, under the responsibility of Fr. Huỳnh and some lay
brothers. Since he was officially invited to take care of the Orphanage, Fr. Huỳnh received an
appropriate salary.
The Công Giáo và Dân Tộc Magazine
The magazine was run by the Catholic Solidarity Committee that had as purpose to call
for the combination of the faith lived with the reconstruction of the country. On its numbers,
there were long articles written by Fr. Girardi, a Salesian professor at PAS in Rome, on the
communism. It was providential that Fr. Majcen had had an opportunity to talk with the
Rector Major, Fr. Ricceri, who had instructed Fr. Majcen on the deviations of some of our
professors in Rome regarding religious life and religious obedience which made them
dispensed from their religious vows and their obligations in the Congregation. Thus Fr.
Majcen understood the problem and he explained to our Salesians the orthodox teaching of
the Holy See. As Salesians we do not do politics; we observe the State law in what do not go
contrary to Catholic conscience.
Feast of St. Andrew
That year the confreres and past pupils wanted to celebrate Fr. Majcen’s feast day and
they asked for the government’s permission to gather at Tam Hải. There were 65 participants
who came not only to celebrate their novice master but also to learn the rule of conduct in this
situation to be always loyal to the Church.
Before Christmas 1976
Before Christmas, the government organized a meeting with the Catholic Bishops to
diffuse the government’s desire to have the Catholics’ cooperation. The bishops promised to
cooperate in their Christian conscience and in the spirit of the Encyclical “Pacem in Terris”.
They said there were different interpretations of many words such as “freedom”. In general,
however, we could come to a fair consensus. After the meeting there was a party with
champagne, and there was at least an apparent agreement between the government and the
Catholic Church in Vietnam.
Christmas
At Christmas, the soldiers were ordered to cooperate with the Christians for a good
celebration of this feast of peace. Fr. Hào invited the communists to a party in the novitiate
community.
|
|
25.4 Page 244 |
▲back to top |
236 Chapter 45: South Vietnam Was Lost – The Implications for the Salesians
Fr. Peter Bá’s crisis
Fr. Majcen’s vicar (socio), Fr. Bá, dreamed to become parish priest of Tam Hải, because
he like these parishioners. But as the parish priest and Mgr. Bình refused, Fr. Bá was
displeased. Moreover, he was not supported by Fr. Ty, so he asked to be dispensed from the
vows and with this dispensation he applied to be incardinated in the Vĩnh Long diocese. Fr.
Peter Đệ came to replace him as a socio and was appointed to succeed Fr. Majcen. Fr. Đệ had
a good help from the cleric Hưng, the novices’ assistant.
Later, Fr. Bá had a row with the village head and knew that he would be expelled from
his location. He fled and hid himself in a remote land where he found a boat to escape. He
met the Thai pirates and only by his knowledge of Italian and English languages could he
come to Rome, where by Fr. Tohill’s intervention he could go to Canada where he became a
parish priest of a Vietnamese parish.
1976: the political elections
In April there was an election for the new regime. There were two political tendencies:
the Northerners following the Stalinist regime model wanted a unified Vietnam with the
mainstream communism. The Southeners with lawyer Nguyễn Hữu Thọ followed the Tito’s
model and wanted a communist State in the Chinese model. With his Yugoslavian
citizenship, Fr. Majcen was the only foreigner with voting right. After consultation with Mgr.
Bình, he went to vote, being aware that his individual ballot was meaningless because
everything had been imposed. In fact, the Stalinist tendency won and a list of the new
government leaders was quickly declared. Lawyer Thọ was awarded a medal of honor and
then withdrew to the background together with his mates.
Priestly ordination in Đà Lạt
Well knowing the government’s religious policy, Mgr. Lâm of Đà Lạt foresaw that the
religious life would soon be constrained, so he decided to call the theology students to the
priesthood and diaconate.
After consultation with Fr. Majcen, Fr. Ty presented 5 candidates to the priesthood and 4
to the diaconate. The ordination rites were performed at our small chapel away from the Đà
Lạt cathedral. A few days after the ordination, some newly ordained priests came down to
celebrate their thanksgiving Mass with Fr. Majcen to Tam Hải. One of the celebrant, Fr.
Joseph Hinh, gave a very good homily on our allegiance to the Pope. After the Mass, Fr.
Hinh proposed to go to his father’s village to say Mass there. “Have you got the permission?”
Fr. Majcen asked him. “Yes, everything had been arranged by my father.” Thus Fr. Hinh
solemnly celebrated his thanksgiving Mass at the chapel of his village. After the Mass there
was a happy gathering of the people outside the chapel to congratulate him. But on his way
back to Sài Gòn he was arrested on the ferry and was put in prison for 11 years without any
trial. After he was released, he was allowed to stay at his village where he became a parish
priest. The parish became a Salesian parish where he served and comforted the faithful who
were living far from the city and formerly without a priest to take care of them.
May 1976
In May there was a scrutiny meeting to vote for the novices’ first profession. The
scrutiny was made strictly and only 8 candidates were admitted to the profession. All the
confreres who got permission were present together with 20 FMAs and about 10 VDBs. After
236
|
|
25.5 Page 245 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 46: Fr. Luigi Massimino and His Last Moments 237
the profession ceremony, Fr. Van Wouve and Fr. Luvisotto prepared a big party for the
participants, and this was the last happy gathering of the Salesians.
June 1976
Fr. Majcen’s health grew worse: diarrhea, prostatitis and exhaustion. He could not take
in food. The Lovers of the Cross daily gave him a tonic injection. Some confreres suggested
him to leave Vietnam following the government’s push, but he insisted to stay and die in
Vietnam with the Vietnamese, and consequently no one ever mentioned it any more.
After a while, Fr. Ty, delegate of the Rector Major, told him that the delegation had
intended to open a new novitiate course (course XVII: 1976-77) and he therefore had to
prepare a training program for the novitiate with the participation of Fr. Đệ who would get
experience to succeed him. With great effort, Fr. Majcen prepared the novitiate program, and
he especially marked the important places in the Italian and French books he had received
from Fr. Vode to help Fr. Đệ with material for the conferences.
July 1976
On July 16 1976 Fr. Majcen started giving conferences to his 13 new novices. Fr. Đệ
also attended the conferences, recalling to mind Our Lord’s warning: “But as for that day or
hour no one knows it.”
On July 20, the VDBs came for their monthly retreat. Fr. Majcen spoke quite long on the
role of the Head Sister3 according to the Rule and her duty was in the service of the
formation, under the guidance of Father Assistant (or his successor, Fr. Đệ). The good Sister
Phượng made her confession together with other sisters then wrote down all the conference.
After they had lunch together with the novices, Fr. Majcen gave them another conference,
and at the end he was completely exhausted and had to lie on bed.
At that moment an employee from the foreign affairs office brought him an invitation
letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, asking him to come to their office at 8 am the
next morning to receive an “important notification.” Already knowing its content, Fr. Majcen
exhorted the VDBs for the last time. They all cried to bid him farewell and asked for his
blessing.
Early on 21, he still gave a conference to his novices then took breakfast and came to the
foreign affairs office where all the missionaries had been summoned. After a short while, an
officer told the missionaries that the government was grateful to the missionaries for their
work in Vietnam, but because they had passports from pro-American governments, they had
to leave this country. As for Fr. Majcen in particular, the officer congratulated him for having
formed good Salesians. Under the leadership of the Cardinal of Hà Nội, they would continue
their work. He also told him that if he wished to come back to Vietnam, he could declare on
paper that “I want to come back to Vietnam,” the VN government would consider it and
would grant him a visa. Although he knew that it was useless, Fr. Majcen did as the officer
said.
The last farewell
Because Fr. Ty was currently in Đà Lạt and could not be present, the economer Fr.
Huỳnh helped Fr. Majcen in all he needed. He also prepare US$ 5 for Fr. Majcen’s tax at the
Bangkok’s airport, his air ticket, his inoculations and the necessary payments.
3 “Sulla sorella maggiore”.
|
|
25.6 Page 246 |
▲back to top |
238 Chapter 45: South Vietnam Was Lost – The Implications for the Salesians
On July 22, Mgr. Bình invited all the missionaries and foreign sisters (the last group of
foreign missionaries including the MEP, PIME, SJ, the Missionary Sisters of Mary and Fr.
Majcen the Slovenian) for a farewell party at the seminary. The archbishop expressed his
gratitude for the work the missionaries had done in Vietnam. He also thanked Fr. Majcen for
the establishment of the Salesian Congregation in Vietnam. He said: “Thank you, you have
good Salesians who could guide the Salesians of Don Bosco Family.”
All the guests drank to the last champagnes which brought a new vitality to all of them,
in particular to Fr. Majcen who at these last moments was so tired and sad.
Then Fr. Majcen came home, bid farewell to the FMAs, the Benedictine Fathers and the
parish priests in the neighborhood. In the afternoon the Salesians in Sài Gòn gathered
together for a farewell party to Fr. Majcen.
The last day, July 23 1976
Early in the morning, Fr. Majcen gave a last conference to all the confreres. He repeated
the exhortations he had said in Kunming: “At any cost, love the Blessed Sacrament, Mary
Help of Christians and the Pope.” After taking a coffee, he blessed everybody but could not
say a word because he was so moved. He blessed Fr. Đệ, his successor, then shook hands
with everybody, crying. He got in a car that took him to the city airport. There he performed
the check-in procedures. Although it was late, he was checked very carefully to see whether
he took with him forbidden letters or money. While he was talking with Fr. Hào, Fr. Phùng,
and Fr. Huỳnh, two big buses approached to take the passengers to the plane. From the bus’
window, Fr. Majcen painfully waved his hand to the people who remained. On board the
airplane, Fr. Majcen’s seat was close to the window. When the airplane was hovering over
the city, Fr. Majcen looked at the Salesian Houses of Gò Vấp and Thủ Đức for a last time and
gave his blessing. It was around 13.00 on July 23 1976. From his heart he sent out his loving
farewell: Good-bye Vietnam! Good-bye my novices and Salesian sons. Mary Help of
Christians keep their faith and protect the Salesian Congregation of Don Bosco in
Vietnam.
Whenever he recalls this flight Sài Gòn-Bangkok of July 23 1975, Fr. Majcen always
seems to hear again Jesus’ beatitudes and applies them to his situation: “Blessed are those
who are persecuted, who are rejected…” And at the end of his Memories of Vietnam, Fr.
Majcen recorded three beginnings and three endings in his three missionary episodes:
I. The first beatitude
The First Beginning “Alpha” Day: Feast of the Nativity of Our Lady 1935, Fr. Majcen
on his journey Trieste, Italy to Hong Kong then with Fr. Braga to Kunming, Guangshi, China
(with Mgr. Kerec). The First Ending “Omega” Day: August 27 1951, from Kunming,
Shiuchow to Guangdong, then to Hong Kong on the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows in 1951.
II. The second beatitude
The Second Beginning “Alpha” Day: On October 3 1952 Fr. Majcen from Macao to Hà
Nội amid a bloody war, on the feast of St. Therese of the Infant Jesus. The Second Ending
“Omega” Day: August 1954, Fr. Majcen from Hà Nội to Hong Kong and was appointed
rector of Tang King Po School in Hong Kong.
III. The third beatitude
The Third Beginning “Alpha” Day: in South Vietnam, including:
238
|
|
25.7 Page 247 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 46: Fr. Luigi Massimino and His Last Moments 239
1956: Beginning of the first group of aspirants and postulants in South Vietnam.
1960: Fr. Majcen as novice master of the first Vietnamese novitiate.
1961: Religious profession of the first novices in Vietnam (Fr. Majcen as patriarch of
Salesians in Vietnam).
The Third Ending “Omega” Day: On July 23 1976 Fr. Majcen left Vietnam after
experiencing the last historical events here.
Fr. Majcen was ordered to leave Vietnam after 22
years of work, leaving 120 Vietnamese Salesians.
He was the last foreign Salesian to leave on July 23
1976.
Fr. Majcen’s last novice to make profession, the
cleric Minh, now a Verbum Dei priest. Behind were
Fr. Majcen and Fr. Fabiano Hào, both very
worried.
In a farewell party, Fr. Luvisotto
sang the “Preface of the hens”. It was
last feast where everybody was
pres ent.
|
|
25.8 Page 248 |
▲back to top |
CHAPTER 46: FR. LUIGI MASSIMINO AND HIS LAST MOMENTS
Fr. Massimino, the first Delegate of the
Vietnamese Delegation of the Rector Major,
is a great Salesian of the Vietnamese
Province. He was an immediate formator of
the first group of Vietnamese scholastics
when he was rector of the Cheung Chau
Studentate of Philosophy. Then he was
nominated Provincial of the China-Vietnam
Province before he was succeeded by Fr.
Alexander Ma. Later he went to Vietnam as
rector of the Studentate of Philosophy and
Theology in Đà Lạt for the confreres in
formation and as Provincial Delegate of
Vietnam. After Vietnam split from the China
Province to become a Delegation of the
Rector Major, he became Delegate of the
Vietnamese Delegation.
Actually Fr.Massimino was Delegate of the Rector Major in Vietnam between 1974-75
and was the first Rector of the Don Rua Studentate between 1971-75.1
Specifically Fr. Massimino played a decisive role in maintaining the Salesian presence in
Vietnam even after the South was lost to the Communists in 1975, and he actively continued
to help in the formation of young Vietnamese Salesians.
After being forced to leave Vietnam to return to Hong Kong, in the name of the Rector
Major, he assumed the responsibility of providing material needs to the Vietnamese
Delegation, especially in the difficult field of formation and apostolate. He continued
maintaining the correspondence, raising funds and exhorting all his sons in Vietnam. He was
really a loving mother and father who loved all his sons and gave all his time and energy to
the Salesian works in Vietnam. His merit made him one of the three great patriarchs of the
Salesians in Vietnam: Majcen, Massimino, Acquistapace.
What follows is an account on this great son of Don Bosco, written by Fr. Lanfranco
Fedrigotti at 3.00 am on Sunday, March 1991.
“Fr. Luigi Massimino, SDB, was born on May 2 1907, and died peacefully at midnight
of March 9 1991 at the Canossa Hospital in Hong Kong, aged 84.
He was born in Cavour, Northern Italy, on October 5 1923 and was ordained priest on
May 1 1932. He came to Hong Kong on February 2 1933.
He spent all his life in the formation of young people who aspired to become Salesians.
After a careful preparation for his ministry, he was devoted to the teaching of philosophy and
theology. He also taught maths and sciences with remarkable results. He had been novice
1 The following account was written by Fr. Lanfranco M. Fed rigotti in Hong Kong at 3.00 am on Sunday, March
10 1991. This English translation is from the Vietnamese version, having no access to the original account.
240
|
|
25.9 Page 249 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 46: Fr. Luigi Massimino and His Last Moments 241
master, rector of formation houses in Hong Kong and Shanghai for many years. He had also
been a parish priest of St. Anthony Church in Hong Kong for several years.
Between 1962 and 1968 he was Provincial of the Hong Kong-Vietnam Province. In 1970
he was sent to Vietnam as rector of the formation house in Đà Lạt, and later he became
Provincial Delegate of the Vietnam Provincial Delegation.
In 1976, after his expulsion from Vietnam, he spent his last years at the Shawkiwan
house of formation.
Fr. Massimino played an important role in the development of the Salesian works in
Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and Vietnam. During his 6 year term as Provincial, he had
brought life to the constructions of or sent his Salesians to the following places:
- 1963: St. Anthony School in Hong Kong.
- 1963: Our Lady of Coloane Village, Macao, for the care of unfortunate patients.
- 1963: Salesian School in Taiwan (Tainan).
- 1964: Erection of Don Bosco Parish in Taipei (Taiwan).
- 1965: Tang King Po College at 25 Kennedy Road, Hong Kong.
- 1968: Kwai Chung Technical School, now called the Salesian Don Bosco Ng Siu
Mui.
- 1970: Don Bosco Studentate in Đà Lạt, Vietnam.
Fr. Massimino was a simple, humble religious. He lived up to the peak of his religious
life, and was extremely exemplary in his faithfulness to his religious and priestly
commitment. He was strict and demanding to himself, but very kind and helpful to others. He
was diligent and fervent both in prayers and deeds. He had greatly contributed to the Chinese
Province and Church throughout the 58 years of his life, and he deserved the admiration of
all.
His body was placed at the Hong Kong wake house. The Requiem Mass was celebrated
at 8.00 pm, March 15 1991 and the Funeral Mass at 9.00 am, March 16 (Saturday), at St.
Anthony Church, 69A Pokfulam Road, then his interment followed at the Happy Valley
Cemetery at 11.15 am. Fr. Massimino’s last words were recorded here.
Saturday, March 9 1991
I [Lanfranco Fedrigotti] came to the Canossa Hospital at about 6.20 pm. In Fr.
Massimino’s room there was Ms. Sofia, the nurse of the Carlo Braga community. Fr.
Massimino was still conscious but he breathed and spoke with difficulty.
He asked me to give him the blessing of Mary Help of Christians and I did as he wished.
He also asked me to give him absolution after my reciting the act of contrition with him.
Then I asked him if he wanted to receive holy communion. He told me to do it quickly. I
rushed to the hospital’s chapel, took the host and Fr. Massimino communicated devotedly.
After receiving communion, he raised his hand three times repeating: Thank you, thank you,
thank you!
After a while, I had some more exchange with him. I asked him: “Are you tired?” He
answered: “Yes”. I loudly told him: “You have to rest! Learn to live as an old man!” He
replied: “How can I? I’ve never had any rest in my life…”2
2 “Non ho mai riposato in vita mia.”
|
|
25.10 Page 250 |
▲back to top |
242 Chapter 46: Fr. Luigi Massimino and His Last Moments
I saw in his briefcase a lot of blank paper and envelopes, to write at any moment when he
was well enough.
His condition appeared to be good. Then a doctor came and seemed to be pleased with
the patient’s condition. After a while, the nurse Sofia took leave. I said the rosary together
with him, but he could just move his lips to show that he was following. That was a Saturday.
We meditated on the Glorious mysteries. Around 7.00 pm, Fr. Joseph Zen and two clerics
Dominic Leung and Paul Leung came together with Fr. Nicola from Taiwan.
Fr. Nicola told Fr. Massimino: “Blessed are you!”3 the phrase Fr. Massimino used to say
to everybody, especially in the Shaukiwan community. But Fr. Massimino did not appear to
answer to this greeting. He just followed by moving his lips when I and the two clerics were
reciting the rosary.
After the rosary ended, Fr. Nicola and the two clerics went home, leaving me and Fr.
Joseph Zen with him. One of the nuns who was asked said that he had slept well the night
before and there was no worry for tonight.
At first we thought we both had better go home. But then I saw him breathe harder and
harder, so I decided to stay with him overnight. When asked, the doctor said that the
breathing difficulty was due to the assumption of too much tonic resulting in the overwork of
the body.
Before Fr. Joseph left, we tried to recite the Compline in Latin by heart without
succeeding to finish it. So we sang the “Jesu dulcis memoria”. We didn’t know whether Fr.
Massimino was following it.
I remained alone with the nurse who was sent by Father Rector to assist him in the night.
The nurse seemed very worried about his pulse. She called for the doctor who just ordered to
use a cardio-aid device for him. He became too weak to raise his hand, so he made a sign for
me to take his hands which were then quite cold. I took them and gave them some massage. I
touched his feet and they were also getting colder.
I told the nurse to call me in case of emergency or need of help, as I was resting on an
armchair.
The nurse tried to check his pulse while there was no clear signs on his face. A few
minutes before midnight she saw that Fr. Massimino didn’t breathe any more. She
immediately called for other nurses and a doctor who was passing before the door. The doctor
checked and affirmed that his heart had stopped beating. The nurses took the cardio-aid
nearer but the doctor said it was useless, he had died already. I looked at the clock: it was
11.57 pm. Fr. Massimino died on Saturday, the day in honor of Our Lady.
I gave him the last blessing. Then I phoned to Fr. Joseph Zen, who I thought would call
Father Provincial. But he instead called Father Rector and went straight to the hospital. Only
then did both of us phoned to the Provincial who then phoned to the Rector Major.
3 “Beato Lei.”
242
|
|
26 Pages 251-260 |
▲back to top |
|
|
26.1 Page 251 |
▲back to top |
CHAPTER 47: FR. MAJCEN’S LAST YEARS OF MISSIONS (JULY 23
1976 – APRIL 24 1979)
Four days in Bangkok
In Bangkok, Fr. Majcen was taken by the Salesians to the Savio School. As Fr. Huỳnh
had sent a telegram to the Rector Major and to the Hong Kong Province on the day before,
the Rector Major ordered the Salesians to get an air ticket for Fr. Majcen because he had got
only 5 US$ from Fr. Huỳnh for his check-in at the Bangkok airport, all his money having
been left to the Salesians in Vietnam. Due to his illnesses, he had to see the doctor for several
times. Apart from his visit to the Savio School with 2000 students, Fr. Majcen also visited the
Don Bosco Technical School where he admired the modern facilities and had opportunity to
see Bro. Jecovit whom he had known in China many years ago. Then he went to the hospital
where Bro. Amici (a Camillian religious who had been working with Mgr. Kerec in China)
was working. The brother gave him a tonic injection and the two then recalled to each other
their memories of their past life in China. After some more visits on 25 and 26, he took some
rest and wrote letters. On 27, he took the Air Siam for Hong Kong. When on board, he fell
gravely ill and almost died by a heart stroke.
Upon his arrival in Hong Kong, he was welcomed by the Provincial Fr. Wong, Fr.
Massimino, his past pupils and his friends. As he didn’t have a visa to Hong Kong, his past
pupils managed to settle the procedures for his entry by declaring that he had come from
Vietnam.
At hospital
The Provincial offered him some activities, but before he could start working, he needed
some medical check at the St. Paul Hospital. He spent 4 days in hospital to cure his enteritis.
Further diagnosis did not reveal any specific diseases except for some symptoms of
prostatisis and blood circulation disorder at his feet as a result of his disease affected in 1968
when he was in Trạm Hành. His clearest problem was exhaustion, and the doctor’s
prescription for him was complete rest.
He left hospital on August 1 and came back to the Provincial house where the Provincial
provided him with necessary clothings.
On August 15 Fr. Massimino was named rector of the Shawkiwan studentate and Fr.
Majcen was sent to the rest house where he was offered a very nice room. In those days, he
got from the Camillians in Taiwan an invitation to come and have his cure at their hospital.
Fr. Matthew King also invited him to visit the Technical School in Tainan and Fr. Tohill
requested him to write down the Salesian works in Vietnam. And he was willing to comply
immedidately.
He also spent 5 days in Macao where he was happy to see again the confreres who had
been working with him in Kunming before 1952. Thanks to Fr. Martin’s zealous help, he got
a passport. He thought he could stay and work with his language knowledge he had learnt in
Yunnam. With the Provincial’s consent, he began to apply for a visa to Taiwan. But the visa
procedures was not easy because he had a Yugoslavian citizenship and the Taiwanese
government was against the communists. He eventually had recourse to the sponsorship of
the Salesians and the Camillians who were working in Lo Tung.
243
|
|
26.2 Page 252 |
▲back to top |
244 Chapter 48: Some Other Memorable Salesians in Vietnam
On November, Fr. Francis Tse (an aspirant under Fr. Majcen’s rectorship at Tang King
Po School, Kowloon), who was currently rector of Aberdeen Technical School, invited him
to attend the 60th birthday of Fr. Stank Pavlin.
In Taiwan
From November 1976 to March 1979. Two months later Fr. Majcen got a visa to
Taiwan, and on November 7 he flew to Taipei where he was taken to the Don Bosco Center
by Fr. Matthew King, his former socio in Vietnam, Fr. Pomati and Fr. John Ma. There was
here a parish, a youth center, a kindergarten and a printing house. Fr. Ma, the parish priest,
invited him to say a Mass on the following day in Chinese, the language he had not spoken
for 25 years. Then he went with Fr. King to the Fujen Catholic University which had 10,000
students. It was here that he had opportunity to see again the former professors of the Pius X
Pontifical Atheneum in Đà Lạt.
A visit to the Lo Tung Hospital
He went with Fr. King to Lo Tung, an area lying on the Pacific shores. The Camillians
who had been working in Chaotong between 1946 and 1952 had come here to run a big
hospital from 1952 through 1957. At this hospital there was Fr. Crotti, a great friend of Fr.
Majcen since they were in Kunming, and the renown doctor Janez also worked here. As a
fellow countryman, Dr. Janez was born not very far from Ljubliana and he talked in a perfect
Slovenian that helped Fr. Majcen remember his mother tongue which he had not spoken for
years. After a careful check, the doctor said he had better undergo a prostatic operation right
after Christmas.
In Tainan
A few days later, accompanied by Fr. King, Fr. Majcen took a six hour express train to
the technical school in Tainan. The building had been designed by Fr. Bosco Chow Ving
Sang, who had been baptized by Fr. Majcen in Kunming on the feast of St. John Bosco. On
the following day Fr. Majcen was introduced to the numerous smart pupils in lines together
with their teachers. He was invited to address to the audience, and before the microphone he
spoke in Chinese with a Yunnan accent. It was for him a very courageous act, because it was
the first time he spoke in Chinese before the public after so many years. The Salesians then
made known to the audience his curriculum vitae. At this technical school, he was a nurse
and an assistant to everybody, and a confessor to the Catholic pupils. He was also a confessor
of the Salesians and the FMAs who were working in Tainan in a very large kindergarten. He
also preach monthly retreats to them. In this period, he also assisted Fr. Ho in a parish nearby.
He visited Mgr. Chen and immediately received from the bishop the necessary faculties. He
also had to start another task entrusted by his Superiors to write down the history of the
Salesians in Vietnam. But he had to postpone this task to prepare for his imminent operation.
His days in Lo Tung
Before Christmas, he went to Lo Tung to have a medical diagnosis and get ready for the
operation. On this occasion he recalled together with the Camillians and Dr. Janez the
beginnings of the Camillians’ apostolate in Chaotong with Mgr. Kerec in the difficult days
before and after World War II and after the rise of the Communist regime. They also talked
about the good relationship between the Salesians and the Camillians, between Kunming and
Chaotong.
244
|
|
26.3 Page 253 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 47: Fr. Majcen’s Last Years of Missions (July 23, 1976 – April 24, 1979) 245
Fr. Majcen very happily spent Christmas with the Camillian community and Dr. Janez’s
feast-day two days later. In the same afternoon of Dr. Janez’s feast day, Fr. Majcen
underwent the operation. It was very successful but on a few days following the operation, he
felt very painful. His situation soon improved and during his recovery he had an opportunity
to talk with Fr. Crotta and Dr. Janez. Through them he was aware of their past adventures and
their hopes in the future. He also greatly admired Janez’s completely disinterested service of
the patients, the poor in particular. Then on his return to Taipei, he met the Provincial and the
confreres who were gathered to discuss on the renewal.
Return to Tainan
Fr. Majcen returned to Tainan to have the happy New Year holidays with the confreres,
teachers and pupils. He was very pleased with the family spirit here which greatly facilitated
their apostolate. He diligently performed his tasks as a nurse and confessor; he was fond of
mixing with the pupils and talking with them. Among their vernaculars they used to speak
with each other, he understood the mandarin Chinese very well but less the Fukien and
Hakkan. He often talked by writing since he had learnt a lot of Chinese characters and
remembered them quite well. In the afternoons and leisure time, he wrote down his memories
on the Salesian works in Vietnam and within two years he had written up to 1200 pages
which he later sent to the Generalate and the UPS in Rome.
Working at the Boys’ Town of Fr. McCabe, a Maryknoll missionary
The zealous Fr. McCabe had founded at Sang Yi near Miu Li a Boys’ Town which he
ran with the sole aid of a tough lay assistant and a widow as cook. The good priest had
requested Fr. Tomati to find someone who could help him when he was away to preach the
retreats or for health reasons or some other engagements. Fr. Majcen was entrusted with this
task and he went to Sang Yi to work with Fr. McCabe. Since he had a good knowledge of this
form of “Boys’ Town system” and through his previous acquaintance with some charitable
organizations when he was in Vietnam, he managed to perform this task very well. Thus he
became its “interim” superior and was introduced as such to the public. With Fr. McCabe’s
consent, he was responsible for the running of the school and discipline, the admission of the
pupils and the contacts with benefactors. The pupils were either orphans or abandoned by
their broken families, a kind of children so loved by Fr. Majcen.
In Tainan
His help to Fr. McCabe was not continuous; his chief responsibility was in Tainan where
he heard confessions not only of the Salesians and the FMAs, but also of the pupils and
parishioners. In their confessions, he used Don Bosco’s language for the Salesians and
FMAs, but for others he spoke Chinese. He also went to Chiuchow where there was a group
of Salesians Cooperators who were effectively helping their parish priest, a Maryknoll
missionary, through teaching catechism to the children and helping other activities of the
parish, as well as organizing the Salesian feasts and the annual procession in honor of Mary
Help of Christians.
The remote churches
The Salesian parish territory was very large in which there were some deteriorating
churches. Specifically they were the churches of Guangmou, Thukku, Kwiyong. Fr. Tsang
led him to examine them and see how to restore them.
|
|
26.4 Page 254 |
▲back to top |
246 Chapter 48: Some Other Memorable Salesians in Vietnam
At Guangmou there was a small chapel, a catechism room and an infirmary. All were
destroyed by storms and insects for many years. Fr. Fassit, an Austrian, came from Tainan
once every month to serve at the infirmary and did a lot of good there. Nearer to our school
was the Thukku with a small church, a room for the priest and a catechism house. With the
aids from Fr. Matko and the Slovenians in Austria, two pretty houses were built, one for the
kindergarten and the other for catechism classes, while the upper floor was reserved for the
meetings and feast activities. This new building was christened St. Versiglia School and was
blessed by the bishop in a solemn ceremony. Seeing that the place for worship was not
complete, Fr. Majcen and Fr. Tsang took another step to build a church for the faithful, with
Fr. Majcen started and Fr. Tsang later completed it.
In Taiwan evangelization was not easy. Catechism was not allowed at school, but could
only be taught outside the classes. The Taiwanese children were not inclined to Christianism
because they had been attached to Buddhism or their traditional beliefs or superstitions.
Various celebrations in 1977
Invited, Fr. Majcen went to Kowloon for the 25th anniversary of the erection of Tang
King Po School. The celebration was extremely solemn with the presence of many Salesians
who had been working there and numerous teachers and alumni. Fr. Majcen also went to Lo
Tung for the 40th anniversary of the Camillians’ work in China, first in Chaotong, then in Lo
Tung. Together with Fr. Majcen, the Camillian Fathers and Dr. Janez recalled their
adventures in the beginnings and the beautiful relationship between the Camillians in
Chaotong and the Salesians in Kunming.
25th Anniversary of Salesian Works in Vietnam
From Taiwan Fr. Majcen received in 1977 the news on the “25th Anniversary of Salesian
Works in Vietnam”, and then on the take-over of our Don Bosco Thủ Đức house.
Fr. Majcen and Fr. Giacomino had come to Hà Nội on October 3 1952, therefore in 1977
the Salesians in Vietnam wanted to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Salesian Work in
Vietnam. Fr. Fabiano Hào, the rector, invited all the Salesians, the FMAs, the VDBs, the
novices and other religious for the celebration at Thủ Đức. The participants numbered 300. A
Redemptorist Father made a speech extolling Don Bosco as a great educator of youth even in
our times. Then there were a big party in which Fr. Hào’s ‘good friends’ (the local
communist authorities) were also invited. After the great day, Fr. Hào reported it with great
enthusiasm to Fr. Majcen in Taiwan. Unfortunately, just a short time later, Fr. Ty sent Fr.
Majcen this message: “Fr. Fabiano Hào is hospitalized. All the aspirants are ill.” In fact, our
house in Thủ Đức was taken over just a few days later. Thủ Đức Don Bosco house ceased to
exist. The reason for Fr. Hào’s arrest and imprisonment (hospitalized) was that he had given
shelter to a person hunted down by the police. And all the aspirants were sent to their homes
(are ill). Our house was changed into a “Training Center for the HCM Communist Youth”.
And our confreres were allocated into 14 new Salesian communities.
Fr. Majcen invited to Australia
A Franciscan Father in charge of the Slovenians in Australia wrote a letter inviting Fr.
Majcen to come and work in Australia. The Archbishop approved the invitation and the
Provincial was willing to receive him in the Australian Province. Fr. Majcen consulted his
Provincial, Fr. Zen, and the Regional Councilor Williams and then the latter’s successor Fr.
Thomas Panakhezam. While his local superiors were hesitating, Fr. Panakhezam decisively
told Fr. Majcen not to go to Australia because of his poor health and old age, and also
246
|
|
26.5 Page 255 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 47: Fr. Majcen’s Last Years of Missions (July 23, 1976 – April 24, 1979) 247
because of the kinds of work there. Instead, Fr. Panakhezam said he had better stay in Taiwan
to complete his history of Salesian works in Vietnam and prepare for a vacation in his own
country.
The Boys’ Town in Chaochou
Fr. McCabe’s Boys’ Town was moved to Chaochou, at the former hostel of the German
Dominican Fathers. Fr. Majcen came there to help and substitute Fr. McCabe and by this he
got acquainted with Mgr. Kaohsieung, the Dominicans in Pintung, and other benefactors of
the Boys’ Town. At Christmas 1978, when Fr. McCabe fell ill and was brought to hospital in
emergency, the Maryknoll superior came to Fr. Majcen and asked him to go immediately to
the Boys’ Town because he could not for the moment send any other. Fr. Majcen and his
rector, Fr. Peter Tsang, of the Technical School, came to see the bishop who was very pleased
to grant Fr. Majcen all the faculties he needed to administer a small parish nearby. Then
accompanied by Fr. Tsang, Fr. Majcen went to the Boys’ Town where he was introduced by
Fr. McCabe as an interim rector for some months.
The Regional Councilor, Fr. Panakhezam, came for a canonical visit to Taiwan and he
stopped at Chaochou for some days. Bishop Kaohsieung and the Maryknoll Provincial
insistently begged the Salesians to assume the running of the Boys’ Town. The Regional
Councilor, after a careful study in the spot and hearing the opinion of the superiors in Taiwan,
decided to accept it and thus the Boys’ Town became a Salesian work. As Fr. Majcen was
then preparing for his vacation in his country, Fr. Panakhezam asked Fr. Majcen to propose a
confrere who could be rector of the Boys’ Town. Fr. Majcen proposed Fr. Francis Tsang,
who had been working in Vietnam, and so Fr. Tsang at once came there to help Fr. Majcen
and prepared himself to substitute him. In the meanwhile the Provincial announced to all the
province our acceptation of this work and appointed Fr. Tsang as rector of the Boys’ Town.
A farewell
Fr. Majcen went to Taipei to apply for an exit and re-entry visa to Taiwan. He had
thought this would take long, but he instead received the visa within a few hours and so he
could not have time to rearrange all his notes. He hurried with the packaging and on March
12 he flew to Hong Kong where Fr. Martin bought his air ticket Hong Kong-Rome-Hong
Kong. A delay of his flight by a strike in the Italian Airline Company gave him opportunity to
bid farewell to the confreres in Macao and Hong Kong, and on March 18 he departed with a
promise to return in September.
In Rome
Upon his arrival in Rome, he at once went to the Generalate at Pisana and presented his
historical notes to the Rector Major Fr. Viganò who invited him to present them at the Center
for Research in the Salesian History at the UPS. The Center wanted these documents to be
published, but Fr. Tohill said we had better wait because the events were still too recent.
Returning to Pisana, he had all these documents photocopied in three copies, one to be kept at
the Central Archives, another at the Center for Research at the UPS and the third copied to be
brought to Slovenia.
Fr. Majcen took leave of Fr. Tohill and flew to Trieste to continue his journey. He
arrived in Ljubljana at 11.00 on April 25 1979.
With this Fr. Majcen ended his missionary life. He had intended to pass half a year in his
home country for health recovery and rest, but while he was in Austria, in the Slovenian
|
|
26.6 Page 256 |
▲back to top |
248 Chapter 48: Some Other Memorable Salesians in Vietnam
parish of his benefactor Fr. Matko, he was exhausted. When brought to hospital in Ljubliana,
he was found to have a diabetis at high risk and was prescribed by the doctor to be treated
and to rest for a long time. He suffered for not being able to return to Taiwan before his re-
entry visa expired, he still hoped he could return to China after a year’s cure and rest.
However, complying to his superiors’ decision, however, he remained in Slovenia and was
incardinated into the Ljubljana Province.
Although he could no longer stay in a missionary territory, Fr. Majcen continued to
exercise his priestly apostolate and above all, to be a promoter of missionary activities in his
homeland.
248
|
|
26.7 Page 257 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 47: Fr. Majcen’s Last Years of Missions (July 23, 1976 – April 24, 1979) 249
LIST OF SALESIAN MISSIONARIES WORKING IN VIETNAM
1.
A cq u is tap ace
2.
Aartz
3.
Braga
4.
Bragion
5.
Borri
6.
Bohnen
7.
Bogo Generoso
8.
Balan
9.
Bullo
10. Cuisset
11. Callens
12. De Muleneare
13. De Marchi
14. De Groot
15. Donders
16. Delanoe
17. Giacomino
18. Guarino
19. Haar
20. Hau Paul
21. King Matthew
22. Luvisotto
23. Liu
24. Loh (Lu)
25. Lagger
26. Loots
27. Majcen
28. Massimino
29. Ma Alexander
30. Musso
31. Nardin
32. Parscau
33. Smith
34. Song Ignatius
35. Stra
36. TTchong
37. Tsang Francis
38. Scheu VS
39. Tohill
40. Van Wouve
41. Urbinis ?
1.
Braga
2.
A cq u is tap ace
3.
Tohill
4.
Mas s imin o
5.
Ma Alexander
6.
Phêrô Đệ
7.
Gioan Ty
1952-1974
1961-1974
1930-1952
1953-1954
1957-1966†
1953-1955
1953-1975
1962
1962-1975
1953-1961
1959-1976
1958-1974
1960?
1957-1975
1963
1952-1954
1956-1957
1962-1972
1963-1975
1963-1975
1957-1976
1959-1963
1956-1963
1959-1975
1952-1954
1956-1976
1962-1975
1968-1974
1957-1974
1957-1964
1963-
1963-
1959-1964?
1956-1975
1957-1976
1961-1975
1959-1963
1958-1962
1960-1975
Gò vấp, Thủ Đức
Thủ Đức
China-Vietnam Provincial
Hà Nội
Thủ Đức, Gò Vấp (+ 1966)
Hà Nội
Thủ Đức, Gò Vấp, Đà Nẵng
Gò vấp
Gò vấp, Trạm Hành
Hà Nội, Ban Mê Thuột, Thủ Đức, Gò Vấp
Gò vấp, Thủ Đức, Trạm Hành, Đà lạt
Gò vấp, Thủ Đức
Gò vấp
Gò vấp
Thủ Đức, Gò vấp, Tam Hải
Thủ Đức
Hà Nội
Thủ Đức
Gò Vấp
Gò Vấp
Trạm Hành, Đà Lạt
Thủ Đức
Gò Vấp
Gò Vấp
Thủ Đức, Gò Vấp, Đà Lạt, Trạm Hành
Thủ Đức
Hà Nội
Thủ Đức, Gò Vấp, Trạm Hành, Tam Hải
Đà Lạt
China-Vietnam Provincial
Thủ Đức, Đà Lạt, Trạm Hành
Gò Vấp
Thủ Đức
Gò Vấp
Thủ Đức
Thủ Đức, Gò Vấp, Đà Lạt
Gò Vấp, Trạm Hành, Đà Nẵng
Gò Vấp, Thủ Đức
Gò Vấp, Trạm Hành
China-Vietnam Provincial
Thủ Đức, Gò Vấp
PROVINCIALS
Provincial
Provincial
Provincial
Provincial
Provincial
Provincial
Provincial
1930-1952 China-Vietnam
1952-1958 China-Vietnam
1958-1962 China-Vietnam
1962-1968 China-Vietnam
1968-1974 China-Vietnam
1989-1995 Vietnam
1995-2001 Vietnam
|
|
26.8 Page 258 |
▲back to top |
250 Chapter 48: Some Other Memorable Salesians in Vietnam
1.
Majcen
2.
A cq u is tap ace
3.
Mas s imin o
4.
Gioan Ty
PROVINCIAL DELEGATES
Prov. Delegate
Prov. Delegate
Prov. Delegate
RM Delegate
1965-1968
1968-1974
1974-1975
1975-1989
1.
Majcen
2.
Bogo
3.
A cq u is tap ace
4.
Mas s imin o
5.
Tchong Matthew
6.
Van Wouve
7.
Lê Hướng
RECTORS
Rector
Rector
Rector
Rector
Rector
Rector
Rector
Thủ Đức, Trạm Hành, Gò Vấp
Thủ Đức, Gò Vấp
Thù Đức, Gò Vấp
Đà Lạt
Trạm Hành, Đà nẵng
Gò Vấp
Gò Vấp, Thủ Đức
250
|
|
26.9 Page 259 |
▲back to top |
CHAPTER 48: SOME OTHER MEMORABLE SALESIANS IN
VIETNAM
FR. MATTHEW TCHONG (CHA CHUNG) (1923-1982)
Born: August 15 1923 in
Hsienhsien, Ho Pei, China.
First Profession: August 16 1949
in Hong Kong.
Ordination: July 1 1957 in
Bollengo, Italy.
Died: April 13 1982 in Macao.
Young Matthew was received by Fr. Mario Acquistapace as a novice at the Don Bosco
House in Beijing. Being a zealous young man in earnest service of the young, Matthew easily
adapted himself to the very poor life at the Salesian house in Beijing. After the novitiate, by
Mary Help of Christians’ inspiration and grace, he could really resume his education. After
his first profession in Hong Kong, he was sent for his theological studies in Bollengo, North
Italy, where he was ordained priest on July 1 1957. As a new priest, he returned to his
Province and was sent to Vietnam for missions. He did his best at Don Bosco Gò Vấp and
Trạm Hành, as a rector of the Apostolic School at Trạm Hành, Đà Lạt, in very hard
conditions of a Vietnam in war.
He was rector of Trạm Hành in the late 1960s through early 1970. Then he was sent to
Đà Nẵng to prepare for a new Salesian house there.
After 1975 he returned to Hong Kong to take charge of a Re-education House handed
over by the Portuguese government in Macao to the Salesians in the Isle Coloane. He
continued his mission until 1980 when he fell ill. He underwent an operation on his liver and
was prognosticated to survive for one more year. Actually he survived for more than two
years. During this time he went to say goodbye to all the Salesians in Taiwan and his relatives
in the Chinese mainland. Upon returning to Macao, he felt his illness worsening. He died at
the St. Januarius Hospital on April 13 1982 at the age of 59.
FR. MARIO ACQUISTAPACE (1906-2002)
Born: 1906
Died: September 25 2002
Fr. Mario Acquistapace died on September 25 2002 at the Braga Old People’s Home in Hong
Kong at the age of 96.
He left his country Italy for China on July 16 1926 and came first to Macao. Ordained
251
|
|
26.10 Page 260 |
▲back to top |
252 Chapter 48: Some Other Memorable Salesians in Vietnam
priest in 1931, he was appointed a teacher in Hong Kong. In 1947 he was sent to Beijing to
establish a Salesian house there. He gathered the poor and abandoned children. He spent all
his time to instruct and give spiritual guidance. In the late 1940s, China fell under the control
of Mao Zedong and the communists.
In the night of September 24 1952, Fr. Mario was expelled from China, being declared
by the Mao’s regime as a persona non grata. Before leaving the mainland, he bid farewell to
many of his pupils whom he had spend his best years to serve. He was the last Salesian
missionary to leave Beijing, but not all the Salesians ever quitted. While the foreign
missionaries left the mainland, many Chinese Salesians remained and lived in the
“underground” Church. Unfortunately for many years we haven’t heard anything about them.
The expelled missionaries went to Vietnam, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan.
Between 1952 and 1958 he was Provincial of
the China-Philippines-Vietnam Province. By the
end of his term as provincial, in the Philippines
there had already been Salesian schools in Tarlac,
Victorias, Mandaluyong, Malakati, the Boys’ Town
in Cebu, and the parish Tsan Lidefonso. All these
prospered and became famous. In spite of the
difficult financial and travelling conditions of the
post war years, Fr. Mario managed to make the
canonical visits every year in the Philippines. Then
he came to Vietnam and worked in Sài Gòn.
In Vietnam in particular, Fr. Mario could serve
for a longer time. In 1952 he visited Hà Nội where
the Salesians had begun an Orphanage at Thái Hà
Ấp, but once again, with the communists’ victory in
Vietnam in 1954 and the partition of the country:
the North under the communist regime and the
South under the republic regime, the Salesians had
to leave Hà Nội.
Coming to the South, Fr. Mario continued his apostolate with his youthful enthusiasm
and optimism. With a few confreres at the beginning, he contributed to build the houses of
Thủ Đức, Gò Vấp and Trạm Hành. At Gò Vấp, the Orphanage could shelter 600 boys.
He continued his service to the poor and only stopped in 1974 when he was obliged to
leave Vietnam before the imminent arrival of the communists in Sài Gòn. He went to
Coloane Isle, near Macao, where he collected the relics of the Vietnamese and Japanese
Martyrs and opened the Center of the Martyrs’ Relics. He stayed in Coloane until 1990 then
went to the Braga Old People’s Home for the aged Salesian confreres in Hong Kong. He
continued to work until his last days, receiving visits from his friends and past pupils who
came to receive his spiritual guidance. He called on everyone to live a lively faith.
252
|
|
27 Pages 261-270 |
▲back to top |
|
|
27.1 Page 261 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 48: Some Other Memorable Salesians in Vietnam 253
FR. GENEROSO BOGO (1917-1991)
Born: 1917 in Brazil.
Died: 1991 in Jaragúa do Sol, Brazil.
Fr. Generoso Bogo was among the Salesian pioneers who worked longer in Vietnam, from
1953 to 1975. Already in 1953 at the Orphanage at Thái Hà Ấp in Hà Nội, he was appointed
to assist Fr. Majcen as a prefect of studies and to share his life with the poor orphans, then to
accompany them to the South in 1954 after the partition of Vietnam, through Ban Mê Thuột,
Sài Gòn, to Thủ Đức and Gò Vấp.
As a prefect of studies, he lived close to his boys, spoke Vietnamese beautifully, and also
took care of the legal documents both civil and religious of the orphans. He had a very clear
and fresh voice, was good at teaching songs and spoke an elegant French with a Brazilian
accent.
He had been for many years rector of the first
Salesian aspirantate in Thủ Đức and then
rector of the Don Bosco Technical School in
Gò Vấp.
A short while before 1975 he was sent to Đà
Nẵng together with Fr. Tchong to prepare for
a vocational school in the diocese of Mgr.
Chi who had known the Salesians when he
was in Bùi Chu before 1954.
When Đà Nẵng was lost to the
communists in April 1975, Mgr. Chi
recommended both Fr. Tchong and Fr.
Generoso to return to Hong Kong. Fr.
Generoso came back to his home country
Brazil and died in 1991 in Jaragúa do Sul,
aged 74.
He had been for many years rector of the first Salesian aspirantate in Thủ Đức and then
rector of the Don Bosco Technical School in Gò Vấp.
A short while before 1975 he was sent to Đà Nẵng together with Fr. Tchong to prepare
for a vocational school in the diocese of Mgr. Chi who had known the Salesians when he was
in Bùi Chu before 1954.
When Đà Nẵng was lost to the communists in April 1975, Mgr. Chi recommended both
Fr. Tchong and Fr. Generoso to return to Hong Kong. Fr. Generoso came back to his home
country Brazil and died in 1991 in Jaragúa do Sul, aged 74.
With the dynamism of a young priest who always lived close to the Vietnamese young
people right from the beginning of the Salesian works in Vietnam, Fr. Generoso Bogo is
among the forefathers of the Salesians in Vietnam.
|
|
27.2 Page 262 |
▲back to top |
254 Chapter 48: Some Other Memorable Salesians in Vietnam
DON BOSCO GÒ VẤP
Fr. Generoso Bogo, Rector, with his
Salesians: Fr. Bảo, Fr. Stra, Fr. De
Meleuneare…
1973.
Fr. Mario Acquistapace’s
greeting address on the Visit
of the Rector Major Fr.
Ricceri, accompanied by Fr.
Viganò and Fr. Dho,
Councillors General
254
|
|
27.3 Page 263 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 48: Some Other Memorable Salesians in Vietnam 255
Fr. Antonio Ciglar’s
spiritual help has led Fr.
Majcen to complete the task
entrusted to him by Fr.
Tohill
As a Councilor General for Missions, Fr. Tohill (standing) has since 1977 initiated
the collection of historical data… and Fr. Majcen has carried it out by writing
down a history of S alesian Works in China and Vietnam, a legacy of S t. Martyr
Mgr. Versiglia. Fr. Rassiga (on wheelchair) has revised it. It was a blessing of Mary
Help of Christians.
|
|
27.4 Page 264 |
▲back to top |
256 Chapter 48: Some Other Memorable Salesians in Vietnam
Fr. Mario Rassiga (right), the Salesian historian
who revised the works of Fr. Majcen (left)
Fr. Ricceri, Rector Major with
distinguished guests on the
Inauguration Ceremony of the Don
Rua Studentate in Đà Lạt, 1973.
Fr. Viganò, who entrusted Fr.
Majcen with the writing of a
history of the Salesian works
in China-Vietnam, met him in
his country.
256
|
|
27.5 Page 265 |
▲back to top |
Chapter 48: Some Other Memorable Salesians in Vietnam 257
And Fr. Viganò enjoying reading
Fr. Majcen’s history revised by
Fr. Rassiga.
|
|
27.6 Page 266 |
▲back to top |
Contents
A HISTORY OF SALESIAN WORKS IN VIETNAM
IN THE FOOTSTEP OF DON A. MAJCEN
A SALESIAN MISSIONARY
IN CHINA AND VIETNAM
LJUBLIANA 1989
Foreword
i
Introduction
i
Decree for the Commencement of the Beatification Process of
The Servant of God FR. ANDREJ MAJCEN SDB
ii
Chapter I: His Early Life (1904-1924)
1
His Childhood
1
An Elementary school teacher
1
Chapter 2: Ten Years of Salesian Life
3
In Ljubljana (1924-1935)
3
Becoming a Salesian (1924-1925)
3
Ten years in Ljubljana (1925-1935)
3
Chapter 3: Beginning of Missionary Life in China Before World War II (1935-1938) 5
A. Farewell to his mother and his country For Kunming
5
Saying farewell to his mum and his country
5
The Salesian House in Kunming: Its proto- history
6
B. From Hong Kong to Kunming: 1938-1939
6
Kunming, a new homeland
7
The project of the new ‘Wisdom School for Academic and Vocational
Education’ in Kunming.
7
As a Prefect of studies
7
Learning languages
8
Workshops
8
Frightening moments
8
The first baptism by Fr. Majcen
9
The Sisters of Mary Immaculate in Chaotong
9
Comforting visits of the Superiors
9
1938: A Decision of not printing a political newspaper
9
The war situation
9
Chapter 4: Mission During War Time 1939-1945
11
A. The Beginning of the War (1939)
11
258
|
|
27.7 Page 267 |
▲back to top |
Contents 259
Fr. Majcen as Vice-rector (acting Rector) in 1939-1945
11
Chaotong Apostolic Vicariate
11
A very comforting visit of Father Provincial
11
Fr. Kerec became a Monsignor
12
The War Situation
12
An important visit of the Provincial
12
The new Bishop, Vicar Apostolic and the Salesian celebrations
12
A trip to Shanghai
13
Fr. Majcen’s collaborators
14
B. War time 1940-45
15
1941 — Amid the dangers of bombing and the troubles from the
Bishop
15
The famine and Christian charity
16
A radio set
16
The Sacred History and the shoemaker’s shop
17
Mgr. Kerec in Mandalay
17
The invasion of Burma and the plague
17
The death of the Bishop
17
The death of the MEP Vicar General and the illness of Mgr. Kerec
17
Disturbances in the school
18
A bitter pill to swallow
18
Other troubles
19
Fr. Majcen got a fever
19
The replacement of the principal
19
A meeting in the school yard
19
Remarkable visits
20
Good relations with the MEP
20
The bombing of the Carmelite convent
20
Fr. Sing had an accident
20
Two confreres… coming from heaven
20
Chapter 5: The End of World War II
21
A theatre and St. John Bosco’s chapel
21
An increase in personnel
21
The mechanics shop
21
The acting Rector became the full- fledged one
22
The erection of Chinese ecclesiastical hierarchy
22
General Liu Han’s separatist movement
22
A cleric who fell from the air
22
Attending the Provincial C hapter in Shanghai
22
Bishop Derouineau offered us the French Club
23
The Camillians in Yunnan
23
The last school year of Salesian School in Kunming before the
communist regime: September 1948 to September 1949
25
An extraordinary visit of Fr. Bellido
26
The confreres in crisis
27
Fr. Provincial’s visit
27
The last feast of Mary Help of Christians
27
A trip to Hong Kong
27
|
|
27.8 Page 268 |
▲back to top |
260 Contents
Chapter 6: Under the Chinese Communist Regime (1949-1951)
29
Governor Liu Han against Chiang’s government
29
Replacement of principals one after another
29
The coming of the liberation army
30
The beginning of the new regime
30
Visits
30
A reforestation competitive campaign
30
A sanitation competitive campaign
30
An Anti-opium campaign
31
Brainwashing
31
The crimes of the wealthy
31
Gathering the people for inculcation
31
Volunteering to go to Korea
31
In the new regime, beggars no longer existed in China
32
Fr. Majcen was kept a close watch
32
The confessions and the people’s court
32
A trial against our school
32
Chapter 7: The School Confiscated, Fr. Majcen Came to Hong Kong and
Macao
34
Gradual changes in our school
34
Fr. Majcen’s life after leaving the school’s rectorship
35
Stopping a plot
35
Fr. Majcen became a Russian teacher
36
A documents’ loss
36
The death of Monsignor Vicar General
36
An interrogation
36
Mgr. Kerec could not return to Chaotong
37
Incidents with the Sisters
37
The police harassment
37
Dangerous even on the road
37
The Church situation became worse
39
Fr. Majcen’s last month of in Kunming: August 1951
40
From Kunming to Hong Kong: August 25 — September 15, 1951
41
The events in Kunming after Fr. Majcen’s departure
42
Chapter 8: Toward Receiving New Mission in Vietnam (9/1951 — 10/1952)
45
A. A sojourn in Macao and Hong Kong
45
A serious illness
45
Vietnam destination
45
B. Twenty years living with the good Vietnamese people
46
C. Vietnam
46
Vietnamese people
46
Culture
47
Vietnamese history
47
The missionaries’ coming in Vietnam and the religious persecutions
47
The persecutions
47
French colonisation of Vietnam
48
The political situation
48
D. An Introduction to my autobiography on Vietnam
49
260
|
|
27.9 Page 269 |
▲back to top |
Contents 261
Chapter 9: The Beginning of Salesian Works in Vietnam
51
A. Fr. Carlo Braga, the initiator of the Salesian missionary project in
Vietnam
51
How Don Bosco’s spirit got in Vietnam before 1952?
51
The First Salesian Work in Vietnam with Fr. Dupont and Fr. Petit
52
1) The Vietnamese’s desire to have the Salesian presence
52
2) Fr. Dupont, the first Salesian to work in Vietnam
52
Fr. Dupont’s coming to Vietnam
53
Fr. Dupont’s apostolate during his military service
53
3) The First Salesian Work in Vietnam (January 3 1942)
54
A report on Fr. Dupont’s martyrdom
58
5) Some witnesses on Fr. Dupont
60
Governor Decoux’s letter to Mr. Durget (Fr. Dupont’s brother- in- law)
60
A Memorandum written by Fr. Petit, Fr. Dupont’s collaborator in
Vietnam
61
FR. DUPONT: A MISSIONARY
61
A homily by Fr. Micolon, Fr. Dupont’s old friend, on the 40th
anniversary of Fr. Dupont’s death
61
A Letter of Fr. Majcen from Slovenia to Mrs. Durget, Fr. Dupont’s
sister
63
SOME TRAITS OF FR. DUPONT’S DELICATE HEART
64
The soaring fits of his soul
65
The call to missions
65
An aspiration for martyrdom
66
A Prayer to Fr. Dupont
66
Chapter 10: Accepting the Invitation of the New Bishop Paul Seitz
67
1. Mgr. Paul Seitz and his Works
67
Thai Ha Ap and Fr. Seitz’s Orphanage
68
2. Fr. Giacomino and Fr. Majcen’s acceptance of Mgr. Seitz’s
invitation
68
3. Fr. Giacomino, Rector, and Fr. Majcen, Vice-Rector of St.
Theresa Orphanage
70
Going to Hà Nội
70
Arriving late
70
And the following days
73
On the admission
77
The Providence
77
Chapter 11: Visits and the Official Hand-over
78
1. Visits to the Ecclesiastical Authorities
78
2. A Visit to Authority Official: The Tonkin Governor
79
A visit to the Social Department Director
80
Registered at the authority and … watched by the police
80
3. Official hand over of the Orphanage to the Salesians
80
Chapter 12: Fr. Andrej Majcen as Pilot during the Years 1952-54
83
A professional thief with 18 times in prison
83
Another boy in a basket
84
|
|
27.10 Page 270 |
▲back to top |
262 Contents
A French officer greeted me: “Bonjour mon Père”
84
A visit to Fr. Giacomino Minh
84
The first Patron Feastday for Fr. Majcen in Vietnam
85
Fr. Mario Acquistapace, Provincial of China-Taiwan-Philippines-
Vietnam
85
The necessary permits
86
“I’m sure it is not exact”
87
Progess in spiritual life
87
Fr. Giacomino Minh in Bùi Chu
87
The Director of the Holy Infancy Society visited Fr. Majcen
87
One intervention leading to another
88
A visit to Sơn Tây city
88
Feasts of St. Francis of Sales and St. John Bosco
89
Charity fairs
90
A holiday tour with the Bishop
90
I will never forget you, dear little Joseph!
90
Chapter 13: The Orphanage’s Progress in March 1953
92
Spiritual help from the Redemptorists
92
A retreat for a spiritual renovation of our children
92
A visit to the church of Mary Queen of the Vietnamese Martyrs
93
Two remarkable arrivals
93
Other events
93
A contract renewal for the Kindergarten
93
Holy Week
94
President Hồ organized the resistance
94
Hồ’s guerrilla war was organized in the forests and mountains to the
north, near the Chinese borders of Mao
94
The Orphanage’s progress
94
Mrs. Nixon’s visit
95
In Hà Nội, May 1953
95
Mary’s gift was the recognition act of the Congregation’s legal status
95
A visit to Bùi Chu Diocese
95
Looking for places of work for his pupils
96
The Lottery
96
JUNE 1953
96
Salesian literature
96
The Lottery
97
Looking for jobs for young worker
97
JULY 1953
97
Fr. Generoso Bogo (Cha Quảng)
97
The first Salesian aspirants
97
The Mass Servant group
98
Chapter 14: August/September/December 1953 in Hà Nội
99
AUGUST 1953
99
The Workshop Heads
99
A semi-public lottery
99
A narrow escape
99
Fr. Giacomino’s goodnight talks
100
262
|
|
28 Pages 271-280 |
▲back to top |
|
|
28.1 Page 271 |
▲back to top |
Contents 263
SEPTEMBER 1953
100
Fr. Cuisset (Cha Quí)
100
The beginning of reforms
101
A boy eighteen times stealing but son of good parents
101
OCTOBER 1953
102
The Month of Rosary
102
Our good rector Giacomino
102
Selling the lottery tickets and the veneration to the martyrs
103
In hospital
103
Changes in staff
103
Chapter 15: Important Events in November 1953
105
1. Episcopal Conference of Indochina in Hà Nội
105
2. Celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the Orphanage
105
An historical overview of the Orphanage in ten years
105
Two patron feasts and the appointment of offices
106
Chapter 16: Fr. Majcen Became Rector of the Work in Hà Nội
107
1. Fr. Majcen became Rector of the work
107
The lottery drawing
107
Christmas 1953
108
2. January 1954
108
Happy New Year and calling for more help
108
An interesting episode in 1954
109
Returning the two houses of the Vice-roy
109
Other financial sources
109
Considering the possibility to go South
110
Don Bosco’s gift
110
3. February 1954: The Tết holidays
110
Preparations for war from both sides
111
The departures
111
A ceasefire during Tết
112
A Tết Fair
112
The secretary’s wedding
112
Fear increased
112
Chapter 17: Điện Biên Phủ Battlefield and the Surrender
113
1. March 1954
113
Điện Biên Phủ: the battle of hell
113
2. April 1954
114
Our priority was the vocations
114
The monsoon
114
3. May 1954
114
The surrender
114
Still another battle
115
4. The last solemn devotional demonstration to the Virgin Mary
115
Chapter 18: The Last Days of the Orphanage in North Vietnam
116
1. June 1954: The last days of the school year 1953-54 in the North
116
Arrangements for the group of 200 children during holidays
116
|
|
28.2 Page 272 |
▲back to top |
264 Contents
The move of a second group of the aspirants to be sent to Ban Mê Thuột
116
A period of confusion
117
2. A thunderbolt in the blue sky
117
3. Vietnam was divided – The Exodus
118
The last days in Hà Nội
118
Going in South Vietnam
119
Chapter 19: Leaving Vietnam, Fr. Majcen Became Rector of Tang King Po School 121
1. Fr. Majcen’s arrival in Hong Kong: worries and misses
121
2. The Tang King Po School in Kowloon
121
Financial problems
122
Spiritual matters
122
Goodmorning talks
122
Dialogues
122
Charitable works
123
The printing shop
123
The Oratory
123
The closing of the English section
123
The sewing shop
123
The aspirantate
124
The Past pupils in the shoemaking shop
124
A Catechetical Center
124
The school’s chapel
124
3. The visits
124
The Rector Major’s visit
125
4. Tang King Po School
125
Illnesses and the shark
125
5. A new obedience letter
125
Chapter 20: What Was Going on in Vietnam While Fr. Majcen Was Away
127
Half a year in Ban Mê Thuột
127
In Sài Gòn
127
In Thủ Đức
128
In Gò Vấp
128
Chapter 21: Fr. Majcen Back to Sài Gòn as Provincial Delegate and Rector
129
1. From Hong Kong to Sài Gòn
129
a. Thủ Đức, the first part of Salesian works in the service of the youth
130
Fr. Majcen as Rector and Provincial Delegate
131
2. Salesian staff in Thủ Đức – central house of the Vietnamese delegation
131
3. The Gò Vấp House
132
4. Mgr. Seitz introduced Fr. Majcen to his acquaintance in Sài Gòn
132
A visit to Đà Lạt
133
Seeing the aborigines for the first time
133
In Đà Lạt
134
5. Fr. Majcen’s letter to Fr. Vode dated December 30 1956
134
6. The first provincial delegation council
135
Chapter 22: A Redimensioning of Thủ Đức House
136
Health care
136
Financial matters
136
264
|
|
28.3 Page 273 |
▲back to top |
Contents 265
Scholastic matters
136
Piety and catechism teaching
137
Cheerfulness in discipline
137
Good students
137
The moving family reunions
137
The adoptions
138
Creating the personal files
138
Chapter 23: Redime nsioning of Gò Vấp House (1957-58)
139
Origin and location
139
The apprentices
139
Discipline
139
Jobs
140
The young lions of Lyon
140
Chapter 24: General Situation in the Salesian Houses and Outside
142
Increase of pupils
142
A truck full of children
142
From Rạch Bắp, Bình Dương, to Tam Hà parish
142
Three other aspirants from N ha Trang
142
Three seminarians from Huế
143
The vocational students
143
A visit by President Diệm to Thủ Đức house
143
The President’s sister- in-law and the Caodaist boys
143
A visit from USA
144
Fr. Majcen and Fr. Cuisset’s visits to the bigger churches in the South
144
Chapter 25: Hopelessness of the Superiors in Hong Kong
145
1. A missionary life in war situations
145
2. The anti- Diệm groups
145
3. The hopelessness of the Superiors in Hong Kong at the situation in
Vietnam
145
3. A thank you to Mrs. Cúc, a Chinese from Guangdong
146
Chapter 26: The Next Stage of Development: Đà Lạt - Gò Vấp — The Visits
147
1. Mgr. Caprio, Apostolic N uncio, a friend of Fr. Majcen
147
A car accident
148
2. Fr. Luvisotto to take care of the Đà Lạt Monastery
148
3. Trạm Hành
148
4. Enlargement of the Gò Vấp plot
149
The resale of the Benedictine monastery in Đà Lạt
149
The sale of Mrs. Carrée’s plot in Thủ Đức
149
5. A visit to Kontum - Ban Mê Thuột
149
Kontum
149
In a region bordering three countries
150
Ban Mê Thuột
150
The Past Pupils Association
150
A visit to Kontum
150
The Past Pupils Movement
151
|
|
28.4 Page 274 |
▲back to top |
266 Contents
Chapter 27: Fr. Majcen’s Cheris hed Initiatives through 20 Years in Vietnam
152
1. The Salesian Cooperators in Vietnam
152
2. The idea on the Past Pupils Association
152
3. The Association of the Devotees of Mary Help of Christians
152
4. The Organization for the help of young delinquents
153
5. Help for political prisoners, drugs traffickers and thiefs
153
6. Restructuring the whole Salesian Works in Vietnam in 1958
153
7. Better identification of the functions of Thủ Đức and Gò Vấp
houses
154
8. On the military service
155
9. On the personnel
155
10. Fr. Majcen’s preparations before his return to his country
155
Chapter 28: Fr. Majcen’s Trip to Europe: May 1958 / May 1959
157
A trip to Europe
157
The journey Sài Gòn – Rome – Turin
157
In Turin
158
From Foglizzo to Becchi
158
On his way home
159
Fr. Majcen’s stay in his homeland until August 18 1958
159
The reunion with his mother
159
A familial party
159
His silver jubilee of priesthood
159
Important decisions
160
Fr. Majcen as novice master
160
A visit to Bollengo studentate
161
Going to France
161
A visit to Fr. Petit and Mgr. Kerec
162
A visit to Austria
162
A visit to the novices at Villa Moglia and Lanuvio
162
The last days with his mother
163
Return to Vietnam
163
Chapter 29: Fr. Majcen Was Appointed Novice-Master and Acting Rector
165
The visit of Fr. Fedrigotti, Vicar of the Rector Major
165
A small celebration for Fr. Majcen’s return in Vietnam
165
Development steps of the Gò Vấp house
165
The meeting of the Salesian Administration of Gò Vấp house:
166
A definite return to Thủ Đức
166
Celebrating the Feast of the Virgin Mary at Gò Vấp
166
Fr. Majcen’s preparation for his new apostolate
166
A canonical visit of the Provincial
167
A proposal of Fr. Generoso
167
The school year 1959-60
167
A list of the working Salesian confreres
168
A crisis of ideas
168
The financial situation of Thủ Đức
168
The Vietnamese Hierarchy and three important visits
169
Cardinal Agagianian’s visit to Don Bosco Gò Vấp
169
Cardinal Spellman’s visit
169
266
|
|
28.5 Page 275 |
▲back to top |
Contents 267
Mgr. Arduino’s visit
170
The Catholics’ golden time
170
Dark clouds on the horizon
170
Other discontentments
170
Fr. Majcen fell ill
171
Admission of pupils
171
The Immaculate Conception Chapel
171
Chapter 30: The ‘First’ Records of the Salesians in Vietnam (1960-61)
172
1. The Novitiate Course I (1960-61)
172
Life in novitiate
172
The first Vietnamese Salesian literature
173
Other scholastic studies of the novices
173
Helping the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians
173
Fr. Majcen’s health and political disturbances
173
The clothing ceremony of the novices
174
Feast of the Immaculate Conception
174
The last letter from Fr. Majcen’s mother
174
The first Vietnamese Salesian priest
174
The first Salesian professions in Vietnam
175
Lay brother vocations
175
Fr. Majcen’s mother died
175
2. Preparations for the novitiate transfer to Trạm Hành
175
The Novitiate Course II (1961-62)
176
Trạm Hành Novitiate
176
The move
176
An excursion to the Châu Sơn Cistercians
176
The Oratory at Trạm Hành
177
A vacation of the “young of Lyon” at Trạm Hành
177
The strategic hamlets
177
The feast days
178
The religious clothing ceremony
178
3. The situation of Vietnam in the years 1961-62
178
Chapter 31: Consolidating Salesians in Vietnam in Disturbed Situation (1963-68) 180
New arrangements
180
On the conferences for the novices
180
Programs for 1963
180
On the Formation
180
Trạm Hành personnel
180
Trạm Hành Apostolic School
180
The closure of the Lyon section
181
A change of Provincial
181
Chapter 32: An Overvie w of the Houses of Thủ Đức, Gò Vấp, and Trạm Hành 182
DON BOSCO THỦ ĐỨC
182
DON BOSCO GÒ VẤP
183
DON BOSCO TRẠM HÀNH
184
The Novitiate Course III (1962-63)
184
Disturbances in May
184
|
|
28.6 Page 276 |
▲back to top |
268 Contents
Fr. Majcen at hospital
184
A spiritual retreat and personnel change
185
40th Anniversary of Fr. Majcen’s religious profession
185
The coup d’etat
185
Fr. Cuisset left the Congregation
185
News about Fr. Massimino
186
Novitiate Course IV (1963-64)
186
Chapter 33: Novitiate Courses V-VI-VII (1964-67) – Vatican II’s Reforms –
Political Changes
187
1. Novitiate Courses V (1964-65), VI (1965-66), and VII (1966-7)
187
2. The Reform and its problems
187
The vacations and travel difficulty
187
The professions of the vows
187
3. The Apostolic School of Trạm Hành
187
4. The Novitiate of Trạm Hành
187
Fr. Musso as confessor
188
Helping the miserable
188
The Daughters of Mary Help of Christians
189
Chapter 34: Proble ms Regarding Admission to the Novitiate (1964-67)
190
Admission to the Novitiate
190
Novitiate Course V (1964-65)
190
Novitiate Course VI (1965-66)
191
Novitiate Course VII (1966-67)
191
To the masters of spiritual life, does Vatican II bring Light or
confusion, or a battle between the old and the new?
191
After the closure of Vatican Council II on December 8 1965
192
Fr. Braga’s visit
192
Inauguration of the novitiate chapel
192
The clothing and badge wearing ceremony at Thủ Đức
192
Fr. Majcen attended a spiritual retreat in Hong Kong
193
The translation of the Constitutions and Regulations (1965-66)
193
Fr. Majcen’s missionary ideal
193
Chapter 35: Bloody Confrontation Between Nationalists and Communists
194
1. The military coups – the preparations for the war
194
2. The taxes
194
3. The translation task
194
4. Diabolic weapons
194
5. Confusion of ideas
194
6. Why to receive so many aspirants?
195
7. Novitiate Course VIII (1967-68)
195
8. The ‘Tết Mậu Thân’ bloody events (1968)
195
Political context
195
Fr. Majcen’s celebration at Gò Vấp
196
The disguised funerals
196
The tragic events – the Huế massacre
196
9. A return to normal life
197
10. Our Lady of Fatima
197
268
|
|
28.7 Page 277 |
▲back to top |
Contents 269
Chapter 36: In Remembrance of two Distinguished Salesians:
Bro. Joseph Borri and Fr. Gue rino Luvisotto
198
1. BRO. JOSEPH BORRI, a golden heart for the orphan and sick
boys (1957-1966)
198
Bro. Borri’s service in Vietnam
198
Fr. Majcen’s appraisal of Bro. Borri
198
2. FR. GUERINO LUVISOTTO (1957-1976)
199
Fr. Luvisotto’s early mission in Shanghai
199
In charge of the monastery in Đà Lạt
199
The purchase of the French bus station in Gò Vấp
199
The construction of the chapel at Gò Vấp
199
Rearrangement of Thủ Đức aspirantate and preparation for the
novitiate
200
One year later, Fr. Luvisotto went to Trạm Hành for the preparation
of the new novitiate
200
The last days of the Republic of VN
201
May 1976: The last gathering at Thủ Đức with a feast prepared by Fr.
Luvisotto
201
Fr. Luvisotto, a heart as large as the sand on the seashore
201
Chapter 37: Two Novitiate Courses – Looking for the Lodging of our
Theologians (1968-72)
202
A change in personnel
202
Novitiate Course IX (1968-69)
202
Everybody wanted peace
202
The Rector Major’s visit
203
Infected with a bubonic plague
203
Novitiate Course X (1969-70)
203
The first Salesian clerics at the Pius X Pontifical Atheneum
204
An important Provincial’s circular letter
204
Life in the novitiate
205
Finding a place in Đà Lạt for the Studentate
205
Spiritual retreat
205
New appointments
205
Some statistic facts
205
Fr. King as a novice assistant was a precious help
205
The most personal moments in the novitiate
206
The need to form Salesian missionaries among the lay faithful
206
A support for the Vietnamese Salesian clerics
206
Again on the statistic facts
207
Fr. Majcen’s sensible heart
207
Chapter 38: Don Bosco’s Works between 1970-72
209
Fr. Majcen, Rector of Don Bosco Gò Vấp
209
Fr. Massimino, Rector of Đà Lạt Studentate
209
1. Don Bosco work in Gò Vấp
209
The workshops
210
The Pupils’ Parents Association
210
The school fees
210
|
|
28.8 Page 278 |
▲back to top |
270 Contents
An important visit
210
Exhibitions of the school’s products
210
Fr. Majcen’s difficulties in the formation of the lay brothers
211
The lay brothers’ formation
211
The influences of progressivist ideas on the lay brothers
211
Fr. Majcen enhanced the Gò Vấp house by the rebirth of the
Orphanage
211
2. The House in Vũng Tàu
212
3. The reconstruction of the church at Bến Cát
212
4. Ba Thôn
212
5. A special apostolate
212
6. The Past pupils
212
7. Fr. Majcen in charge of the Provincial Delegation house
213
8. Miscellanies
213
The Provincial’s canonical visit
213
A priestly ordination. Fr. Majcen embraced the newly ordained
213
The presidential election
214
St. Andrew feast
214
Fr. Majcen’s illness
214
9. SDB Vietnam split from the China Province
214
10. The beginning of the Salesian Studentate of Đà Lạt
214
11. Fr. Majcen’s short visit to Ban Mê Thuột
215
*Chapter 40: Salesians in Vietnam in the Years 1972-73
216
A National Medal Award
216
A journey to Europe
216
Back to Vietnam
217
The first Vietnamese Salesian priest to live out of community
217
The Thủ Đức aspirantate’s situation
217
The Special General Chapter 1971-72 and the Vietnamese Chapter
218
Fr. Majcen’s task
218
Chapter 41: Toward Setting up the Vietnamese Delegation of the Rector M ajor 220
1973
220
Fr. Luvisotto and the Providence
221
Monthly retreats
221
The beginning of the great development between 1973 and 1975
221
The Rector Major Fr. Ricceri’s canonical visit
221
Inauguration of the Đà Lạt Studentate
221
The development of the Oratories
222
The trade schools
222
Masses for the departed on November 2 1974
222
Thanksgiving Mass
223
Christmas 1974
223
The last canonical visit of the Provincial Fr. Machuy
223
Vietnam became a Delegation of the Rector Major
223
Fr. Majcen’s tasks at Thủ Đức in 1974-75
224
Fr. Majcen was septuagenian
224
An expiation pilgrimage
224
A ceasefire during the Tết holidays
225
270
|
|
28.9 Page 279 |
▲back to top |
Contents 271
Nominations of new bishops
225
Hopes or illusions?
225
To leave or to stay?
226
*Chapter 43: The Panic Evacuation from 19/3/1975 and the Surrende r of Sài Gòn 227
Feast of St. Joseph
227
In the worrying atmosphere in Sài Gòn
227
The evacuation by boat
227
April 1975
228
The last week
228
*Chapter 45: South Vietnam Was Lost to the Communists –
Implications For The Salesians
230
The hand-over of authority in the Congregation
230
Sài Gòn on May 1 1975
230
Fr. Majcen reappointed novice master
231
Other novitiate courses after 1975
231
The new regime’s rule
232
The last days of May and the first days of June
232
Life in the novitiate
232
Confreres who left the Congregation
232
Vietnam’s entrance into socialism since January 1976
233
The novitiate was moved to Tam Hải, Thủ Đức
233
Pastoral activities with neighboring parishes
233
Doing labor duties
234
A currency change
234
Fr. Majcen as a friend of Tito
234
August
234
September
235
The schools taken by the government
235
The Công Giáo và Dân Tộc Magazine
235
Feast of St. Andrew
235
Before Christmas 1976
235
Christmas
235
Fr. Peter Bá’s crisis
236
1976: the political elections
236
Priestly ordination in Đà Lạt
236
May 1976
236
June 1976
237
July 1976
237
The last farewell
237
The last day, July 23 1976
238
I. The first beatitude
238
II. The second beatitude
238
III. The third beatitude
238
Chapter 46: Fr. Luigi Massimino and His Last Moments
240
Saturday, March 9 1991
241
|
|
28.10 Page 280 |
▲back to top |
272 Contents
Chapter 47: Fr. Majcen’s Last Years of Missions (July 23 1976 – April 24 1979) 243
Four days in Bangkok
243
At hospital
243
In Taiwan
244
A visit to the Lo Tung Hospital
244
In Tainan
244
His days in Lo Tung
244
Return to Tainan
245
Working at the Boys’ Town of Fr. McCabe, a Maryknoll missionary
245
In Tainan
245
The remote churches
245
Various celebrations in 1977
246
25th Anniversary of Salesian Works in Vietnam
246
Fr. Majcen invited to Australia
246
The Boys’ Town in Chaochou
247
A farewell
247
In Rome
247
LIST OF SALESIAN MISSIONARIES WORKING IN VIETNAM
249
*Chapter 48: Some Othe r Memorable Salesians in Vietnam
251
FR. MATTHEW TCHONG (1923-1982)
251
FR. MARIO ACQUISTAPACE (1906-2002)
251
FR. GENEROSO BOGO (1917-1991)
253
_______________
(*) Chapters 39, 42, 44, 49, … in the Vietnamese version were not written by Fr. Majcen and are not translated
here.
272