Humble contribution of Don Bosco

By Our Own Correspondent

Hanoi, Vietnam, 9 April 2017 -- The first Salesian work in Vietnam was a humble Orphanage in Hanoi (1952-1954). Due to a variety of historical, social and political reasons, only after 40 years later, since last 1994 the Salesians were able to slowly return with our contribution to re-build the local Church. Two among the first Salesians who served the major seminary eventually became diocesan bishops (Bui Chu - 2001, Bishop Joseph Tiem and Thai Binh - 2009, Bishop Peter De). At present time twenty one Salesians (3 Salesian Brothers and 18 Salesian Priests) are serving the youth and the local Church in 10 different locations in North of Vietnam. Since last September 2016 there is already the first canonical community (Cat Dam, Thai Binh diocese) which serves so far as the point of reference for all Salesians in the North.

In many of parishes entrusted to the Salesians for next 25 or 50 years there was no priest for decades, some of our parishes are declared by their bishops as 'missionary zone'. The faith of North Vietnam Catholic is characterized by rather simple, but very strong traditional popular religiosity, majority of the Catholics are living in rural places and migrating to the South or abroad for work.

To plant the Salesian Charism in this context is not easy. Already 20 Salesians who were sent to this new home mission frontier are anymore in the North! However thanks to the enthusiasm, generosity of quite few middle age generation Salesians slowly Don Bosco is being known and our typical education - pastoral services to the young are being started in 7 different dioceses around Hanoi.

So far, there are 5 confreres in Cat Dam (Thai Binh) as SDB community center with a Handicapped youth hostel, Oratory and one parish of Trai Gao with 900 Catholic (Thai Binh) closely working with the FMA sisters. Another Parish of Duc Ninh (Thai Binh): 1000 Catholics, Oratory - missionary zone (2 SDB). Another 3 Salesians are starting their work in Quang Nap parish (Phat Diem): 900 Catholics and three member strong community is located in Duong A Parish (Bui Chu): 1300 Catholics. In Hoa An rural parish (Bac Ninh) with 700 Catholics and 2 SDB is being developed an Oratory. Parish of Van Phuc (Hanoi) with 1300 Catholics is entrusted to 2 Salesian priests. Two distant presences each with two Salesians in Ngan Son (Lang Son): parish 130 Catholics and service to the diocese (Vicar General, Chancery, Seminary formation) and Lao Cai (Huang Hoa) is still in the stage of exploration, first confreres arrived only 5 months ago.

The charism of Don Bosco is rooted in some places through first open Oratories (playground - soccer field and typical music and after school activities), ministry to the rural College students in the city, looking to open first orphanage, Youth ministry service in the dioceses (youth leader and catechist formation). Also the Salesian family with two FMA communities, small group of Salesian Cooperators and VDB is growing.

As Fr. Angel Fr. Artime, the 10th successor of Don Bosco shared two months ago in Thai Bin: 'The slow, humble but decisive move of the Salesians towards the North of their country is an important vision for our future. We need to get out of the comfort zone in the South. We are called to bring the love of Good Shepherd to many places that are still waiting for the initial witnessing and proclamation of the Gospel.

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