By Cl. Joseph Ho Chinh, SDB

Xuan Hiep, Vietnam, 27 May 2020 -- After a ‘historic spring vacation’, the aspirants and junior-aspirants of Don Bosco Xuan Hiep Vocation Centre resumed activities on Sundays as usual with zeal, passion and deep joy. It was special because that was Sunday of the Ascension of the Lord and also the Feast of Mary Help of Christians according to tradition of the Congregation of the Salesians of Don Bosco.

From early morning the aspirants and junior aspirants were present to prepare for a new day filled with activities. Everyone was very happy to meet one another after long time due to the coronavirus lockdown and social distancing. They greeted and asked after one another joyfully with fresh smiles, handshakes and with their hands on each other’s shoulder.

After a short Eucharistic visit their brother assistant gave them some announcements for the day’s activities. Then they moved to their classrooms to study catechetics, Salesianity and human values. Besides that they had an opportunity to share their spiritual experiences with one another before lunch in order for them to help one another to improve in communal life, faith and vocation.

After lunch there was time for recreation and followed by other activities such as seminars, skills and talents classes, and sports. They were practical and effective activities in accompanying, guiding and forming vocations of our Congregation.

Talents and sports in Salesianity are not only healthy recreation but also a means for self-formation, youth education and even a means for young people to become saints.

At the end of the day was a sharing of a member of the spiritual committee of aspirants and a closing prayer. The sharing gave some good thoughts for everyone to reflect on and apply in their daily life in order to discern and carry out God’s will.

They all spent a day filled with joyful and useful activities without a noon nap. They were all tired but still kept smiling. May the love of God, the protection of Mary Help of Christians, the accompaniment of Don Bosco and the cries of poor young people always nurture our unconditional zeal and services for young people in our missions.

Don Bosco Xuan Hiep Vocation Centre is one of the oldest centres of the Vietnam province. Fr Joachim Nguyen Thanh Tung is now the one in charge of this centre with the cooperation of all Salesians at the Philip Rinaldi Theologate community, especially Fr Martin Pham Duc Huy and four brothers of Theology. There are now around 85 aspirants and 170 junior aspirants. They are sent to us by Providence in order for us to look after, encourage and guide them to become Salesians, Don Boscos for the new era.

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