Twenty years of our presence in Vietnam
Celebrated with the perpetual vows of 9 religious.
Monday August 21, 2023
The MSC Vietnam community celebrated its remarkable 20th-anniversary establishment in Vietnam at Thanh Da Church on the feast of the Assumption at nine o’clock in the morning of August 15th. On this day, nine brothers made their perpetual profession, consecrating their lives to God in the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart congregation in the year of our Lord 2023.
Present people were the main presider — the director of the Vietnamese religious community, Father Hoang, MSC, alongside MSC priests and brothers, priests from different dioceses, the MSC sisters, DOLSH sisters, religious from other religious congregations, Lay MSC, the congregation’s benefactors and friends, and families of the nine brothers who professed their final vows.
Before the mass, Father Hoang read the letter from the General Superior, Father Absalon A. Tovar, MSC, for the 20th founding anniversary celebration. The aforementioned General Superior called to the minds of the MSC Vietnamese “to stop, take stock, and start again to live in the present moment, open to the emerging future of the Congregation in Vietnam.”
In the homily, Father Thoi Tran, MSC emphasized the role of Mother Mary in the Church and the MSC congregation. He also reminded the MSCs to learn from Mother Mary “…to let go of everything and keep for themselves only the will of God.” Then, the rite of the perpetual profession of the nine brothers followed. The 9 brothers, in the presence of MSC members, their families, and friends, dedicated themselves freely to God and his people in the MSC congregation in the witness of the father provincial Stephen Harkett, MSC.
Father Christ and Father Stephen Harkett shared their thoughts and hopes for the MSC Vietnam and expressed gratitude to everyone in the rear of the communion prayer. Shortly after, a warm and happy celebration accompanied by music, dances, and interviews prolonged the delight and joy of the mass.
We continue to pray for the MSC Vietnam, the newly professed brothers, and their mission to make the Love of God known to everyone everywhere.
by Hung Duy Tran, MSC
