clericalism, an approach that not only nullifies the
character of Christians, but also tends to diminish
and undervalue the baptismal grace that the Holy
Spirit has placed in the heart of our people.” And
at the conclusion he states, “Likewise, penance and
prayer will help us to open our eyes and our hearts
to other people's sufferings and to overcome the thirst
for power and possessions that are so often the root of
those evils [italics mine].”
Our focus together on the ministry of teaching
and helping the youth leads me to seek the wisdom of
our founder St. Gaspar and be inspired by his words
to Msgr. Antonio Santelli in Letter 1599. St. Gaspar
wrote, “What an opportunity this gave me to humble
myself before God, asking that this youngster will al-
ways pray that, with all of the burdensome chores and
demanding sacred commitments that I have, I will be
able to fulfill my sacred duties. This is the charity that
I seek both from you and from your young students
in particular, whom you direct so brilliantly and with
such success in your apostolate.” We hope and pray
that we in the Vietnam Mission can faithfully carry
out this