GLT Accompaniment: Vietnam

I was in Vietnam for about two weeks (1-15 November). The main goal was to meet with my MSC colleagues. I was also thankful to have the chance to meet with the Chevalier lay group there. The following is a sharing of my experiences during my time there. The MSC Vietnam community stands out as one of the youngest MSC communities in Asia, and it is here that you can see remarkable energy, vitality, and strong missionary enthusiasm. Over the past two decades, growth in the number of members, diversity of ministries, and a spirit of service have shown that the seeds of the Sacred Heart Family have taken root and flourished on Vietnamese soil. However, behind this progress, there are also several fundamental challenges that need to be addressed so the community can move towards self-reliance in formation and develop a more solid missionary identity.

A Young, Dynamic, and Enthusiastic Community
One of the key features of MSC Vietnam is the youthful nature of its community. Many members are in the process of studying philosophy and theology, with a variety of pastoral backgrounds: working with children, supporting people with disabilities, educational initiatives, aid to the poor, as well as administrative roles and school kitchen duties. This diversity broadens the community’s understanding of Vietnam’s rapidly evolving social landscape.

Formators, priests, and brothers demonstrate closeness to the people and a warm spirit of service—hallmarks of the spirituality of the Sacred Heart. They are proud to be MSC, love their community, and enjoy their studies. The close connection between studies and vocation is a key strength of formation, because from the start members understand how to integrate intellectual life, religious life, and pastoral mission.

Great Potential for the Future
Several significant potentials are clearly evident in this community. First is a strong sense of vocation. Members do not merely want to become priests or religious; they aspire to be missionaries. Many express their willingness to be sent abroad, not because there is a deficiency of ministry at home, but purely driven by a desire for mission.

Another potential lies in the capacity and desire to develop local formation. There is a goal to establish a novitiate in Vietnam and to train qualified and experienced formators. This wish to create a formation system tailored to the local context indicates that the community is entering a phase of consolidating its identity.

In the field of ministry, various forms of pastoral creativity are emerging, such as teaching art in schools for disadvantaged children, engaging in education within large schools, accompanying persons with disabilities, child protection ministry, and serving the poor. This range of ministries provides opportunities for MSC Vietnam to reaffirm its unique mission—pastoral care of the heart and service to the marginalised. Equally important, the community is also receptive to professional development. They recognise the need for experts in management, leadership, spiritual accompaniment, and safeguarding.

Challenges and Hopes
Despite its great potential, MSC Vietnam faces several challenges or areas that need attention. For example, in formation, the missionary identity—according to discussions among many confreres—is still not stable. There is also a lack of understanding of safeguarding and Vietnam’s political context. Amid these opportunities and challenges, MSC Vietnam holds a very strategic position. An abundance of vocational energy, strong missionary zeal, and support from provincial leadership and the GLT will increasingly build a solid foundation for progress. Self-reliance in formation, deepening of missionary identity, and the development of distinctive ministries are key priorities that deserve focus. With visionary leadership and the willingness of young members to grow, MSC Vietnam has a real opportunity to become an even more vibrant missionary community.

I want to conclude this sharing of experiences by expressing my gratitude to all my MSC confreres in Vietnam. Thank you for facilitating this accompaniment so that it could run smoothly. Your kindness deeply touches me. I am very grateful to have experienced two very meaningful weeks in Vietnam. Thank you, my Brothers.

Bram Tulusan, MSC (Indonesian Province)