tvc.dsj.org | May 7, 2019 VIETNAMESE NEWS
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First Chrism Mass Strengthens Vietnamese Catholics’ Faith
ucanews.com reporter,
Yen Bai, Vietnam
Thousands of Catholics in a moun-
tainous Vietnamese province who
attended the first-ever Chrism Mass
to be held in their remote locality say
it was a sign of God’s love and has
strengthened their faith.
More than 3,000 Catholics includ-
ing many ethnic people attended the
special Mass on April 16 outside Vinh
Quang Church in Yen Bai province’s
Nghia Lo district.
The Mass was celebrated outside
the church because of the number of
people in attendance.
Some 130 priests also attended the
Chrism Mass, which was celebrated by
Bishop John Mary Vu Tat of Hung Hoa.
It was the first such Mass to be held
in Nghia Lo deanery since local par-
ishes were established 100 years ago.
“It was a completely new experi-
ence for me,” Joseph Lam Van Hung,
70, told ucanews.com after the event,
adding he had never seen as many
priests concelebrate a Mass like that
before.
Hung, who is from Vinh Quang
parish, said the Mass brought “great
comfort to local people who have suf-
fered constant persecution.”
He said his family were among 11
Catholic families who moved to the
area from famine-hit Thai Binh prov-
ince in 1900. French missionaries led
them in building the church in 1936.
Many Cat holics were publicly
denounced by the communists as
landlords and killed or imprisoned
from 1953-64. Local Catholics had no
resident priest for 40 years after the
last one was jailed in 1964.
He said they have suffered various
religious restrictions imposed by the
government. The parish with 3,600
Catholics still has no resident priests.
“We have to follow our ancestors’
example of bravery by being united in
love to develop the parish,” Hung said.
His brother Joseph Lam Van Minh,
74, said local people “were proud to
Bishop John Mary Vu Tat of Hung Hoa con-
secrates sacramental oil during the Chrism
Mass on April 16.
host the Chrism Mass, which showed
that God loves and blesses us.”
Father Joseph Nguyen Trong Du-
ong, head of the deanery, called
the special Mass a great event that
will help cement the faith of 14,000
Catholics, half of whom are from the
Hmong, Muong, Thai and Tay ethnic
groups.
Eight priests in six parishes, 37
subparishes and five mission stations
serve them.
“We priests were also inspired by
the event, which actively brought Ca-
tholicism to local people,” said Father
Duong, who provides pastoral care to
three parishes.
He said Vinh Quang parish was
named after two late French mission-
aries whose Vietnamese names were
Vinh and Quang.
During the Chrism Mass, Bishop
Tat, 75, consecrated three oils that are
used in the administration of the sac-
raments — the oil of catechumens for
baptism, the oil of the infirm for the
anointing of the sick, and the oil for the
sacraments of baptism, confirmation
and holy orders.
The renewal of priestly vows was
incorporated into the Mass.
Hung Hoa, the largest of Vietnam’s
27 dioceses in terms of size, covers
nine provinces and part of Hanoi.
Chrism Masses are traditionally
held there before Holy Thursday so
that priests have enough time to return
to their parishes and celebrate Holy
Thursday liturgical services.
Vietnamese youths urged to work for community benefits
7,000 Catholics at Lent youth gathering told to follow Mother Mary’s selfless example
ucanews.com reporter,
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Thousands of Catholic youths in
Vietnam have been asked to follow
Mother Mary’s example by respecting
human values and working for the
advantage of all people.
About 7,000 youngsters attended a
Lent youth gathering with the theme
“Together with Mother, we trust in
God and say yes” held at the pastoral
center in Ho Chi Minh City on April
13.
Father John Le Quang Viet, an
organizer, told ucanews.com that
the gathering aimed at “encouraging
youth to seek to discern basic values
of life and God’s call, adopt vocations
and commit themselves to serving
communities.”
Father Viet, who heads the ministry
of youths in Ho Chi Minh City Arch-
diocese, said, “Christ is alive, so we
also should make our lives meaning-
ful, active and abundant.”
He warned participants that they
would die of laziness, physical com-
forts and virtual space if they lack ef-
forts to obtain noble goals. They should
make their own lives better, look after
other people and promote the interests
Vietnamese youths attend Palm Sunday Mass at the Lent youth gathering in Ho Chi Minh
City on April 13. The gathering was attended by 7,000 youngsters. (ucanews.com photo)
and values of communities.
He said Catholic youths should
recognize the meanings of their lives
through Mother Mary’s example.
The priest urged them to reflect
and apply the verse “Behold, I am
the handmaid of the Lord. May it be
done to me according to your word” to
their daily lives. Participants faithfully
repeated the verse again.
Joachim Nguyen Trung Huy, who
took part in a play depicting religious
persecution by soldiers at the Marian
Shrine of La Vang in the 18th century,
said the gathering would help direct
his life.
Huy, a third-year student who
studies technology and information,
said it is necessary to maintain faith
practice and recite the rosary daily so
as to overcome social evils and selfish
desires.
He said he is interested in the
“Click To Pray” app, the pope’s world-
wide prayer network, which was
introduced at the gathering by Father
Viet. “I will download the app to pray
and share with my friends,” he said.
Huy said he will spread charitable
activities and good works by his home
parish on social media as a way to at-
tracting other youths to work for the
common good.
During the gathering, participants
took part in workshops on how to
strengthen faith life, attended Palm
Sunday Mass and Eucharist adoration,
went to confession and watched pray-
ing plays and action songs.
On Palm Su nday, about 6,000
youths from parishes in Hanoi Arch-
diocese attended a special gathering at
Martyr Peter Le Tuy Pilgrimage Center
in Vietnam’s capital.
Archbishop Joseph Vu Van Thien
of Hanoi urged youngsters to bravely
tell other people that they meet Jesus
in their prayers and charitable work
and to share his love with them.