Rise up, let us go” (John 14:31)

By Augustine Phuc, SDB

       Xuan Hiep, HCM Vietnam, 28 May 2023 -- At 8:00 a.m. on 26 May 2023, Bishop Joseph Do Quang Khang - Bishop of Bac Ninh Diocese - celebrated Mass for the Ordination of Deacons - Priests at Don Bosco Xuan Hiep Parish, Thu Duc, Ho Chi Minh City.

       The Mass was attended by Father Provincial, Barnaba Le An Phong, Fr Provincial of Ghana, Denis Soro, a large number of Salesians, guests, the Brothers and Sisters of the Salesian Family, religious from many different religious orders, family, relatives, friends of the ordained and some parishioners.

       At the beginning of the Mass, the Bishop reminded the liturgical community to unite their hearts in an atmosphere imbued with gratitude to God. Thank God for the grace that He has given to the Church and to the Congregation by conferring Holy Orders on the Candidates.

       In the homily, the Bishop's thoughts were aimed at answering the question he himself posed: "Why is there a Mass for the ordination of Deacons and Priests today?" Thereby, based on the readings at Mass, he reminded the ordinands as well as the entire community that: "Receiving Holy Orders is not for enjoyment but to serve God's people." Therefore, the answer is given plainly: The ordination Mass is celebrated for the Lord's conferring of grace, and the ordinands receiving this gift will be accompanied by a mission.

       “The priests who receive the priesthood must also pay attention to the sacrificial dimension, that is, to offer their bodies as a sacrifice every time they offer it, as a way of entering the way of the cross of Jesus, consuming themselves to serve God and his people. Therefore, receiving Holy Orders does not have any worldly honor but to receive responsibility and the cross”, the Bishop emphasized. The Bishop said this is also the sentiment that the priests have been prepared for during the retreat days: "Rise up, let's go." (Jn 14:31) – Entering the way of the cross, identifying with Jesus the shepherd.

       After the homily the ordination ceremony of Deacon and Priest took place in a solemn, fervent and sacred atmosphere. Anyone could feel God's Grace pouring out abundantly in every word and gesture.

       Before the end of Mass, Father Barnaba, on behalf of the Province, thanked the Bishop and the community. This was also an opportunity for the Provincial of Ghana to express his gratitude to the Vietnamese Province, because on this occasion, two Vietnamese Salesians who are missioning in Ghana were also ordained priests, Paul Tran Dai Ky Quan and Joseph Dang Huu Phuc.

       In response, the Bishop had a message for the newly ordained in a sincere, natural, brief, but very practical and memorable way: "Remember to pray for yourself with careful prayer".

       With the Bishop's final blessing, the Mass ended in Grace and Peace.

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