By Br. Peter, SDB

Three in one! 27th of May 2015 entered the history of Vietnam-Mongolia province with three special events celebrated in one sunny day in Xuan Hiep provincial house, still in the temporary Church -Gym due to the construction of the new parish Church of Xuan Hiep parish. About 900 participants gathered together the 200th Birthday of Don Bosco, Installation of the new SDB provincial and the Perpetual profession of six Vietnamese missionaries working in five different countries.

The Feast received a special family spirit thanks to the presence of few hundreds of Salesian parents invited for this occasion, including also the 92 years old mother of the new provincial Fr. Fr. Joseph Nguyen Van Quang. Apart of the parents of the six missionaries participated also different Salesian Family members, including two FMA provincials of Vietnam (installation fixed for July 15) and many benefactors.

Before the 9:30 Eucharist there was a family talk of the EAO regional councilor about the 200th Birthday of Don Bosco shared with the parents of the Salesians reflecting on the fruits received during past few years of the Bicentenary preparation. (= in Attachment) Then followed a passionate short sharing of the outgoing provincial Fr. Joseph Hung about the importance and need of Salesian Brother and Missionary vocation in the Church addressed to the parents of the Salesians.

Two Salesian Brothers – Francis Xavier Nguyen Minh Nhat (missionary in Pakistan, FIS) and Peter Le Mac Khai (missionary in Papua New Guinea, FIN) and four Clerics – Joseph Nguyen Van Gia Cat (Uganda, AGL), Joseph Huynh Thank Long (Uganda, AGL), Thomas Tran Quoc Huan (Nigeria, AFW) and Joseph Nguyen Nhat Khoa (Cambodia, THA) made their perpetual profession after spending their first years in the respective mission. Br. Francis X. Nhat, who is probably a holder of Salesian world-record for waiting with patience for his missionary visa, will finally enter for the first time after 4 years his mission land of Pakistan. As it happens in Vietnam very often, there are also present some of the 100 Vietnamese missionaries for their family visit of funeral of their parents: South Sudan, Hong Kong, Hungary, Pakistan.

The festivity had quite international character given the fraternal presence of two EAO provincials (THA – Fr. Paul Prasert, MYM – Fr. Charles Saw), two EAO delegate-superiors (PNG-SI Fr. Peter Baquero and Cambodia Fr. Roel Soto), together with quite large group from nearby Cambodia (Delegation economer Br. Roberto Panetto, Fr. Eugene Xalxo) and Filipino students of theology who facilitated the English course for the new missionaries in Dalat during past few weeks. The Eucharist of the installation of the new provincial was well animated by a vibrant choir of the 32 pre-novices with their music master Br. Joseph Truong who just returned from Manila-Paranaque. After the profession of faith, the outgoing provincial handed over to his successor symbolically the Biblical Icon of the GC27 ‘Jesus – Vine Tree’.

Before the end of the celebration, after the thanksgiving expressed by the outgoing vice-provincial Fr. Thomas Long, the new provincial Fr. Joseph Quang shared his joy of presiding as new provincial just the perpetual profession of six young missionaries: “I’m sure we will work hard on more new vocations and will share them with other provinces as well.’ Then reminded his recent encounter with the Rector Major in Rome and his recommendation: ‘I wish you return to Don Bosco, with his heart, so that the Salesian Charism will flourish. I wish you a heart of Don Bosco, always with the young, especially the poorest youth! Ask Don Bosco, to be always servants of the young people!’ And when you don’t know, how to go ahead, pray to Mary Help of Christians ‘Help me Mother!’ She will help you as she always helped to Don Bosco in his times.

After the Eucharist followed picture taking and sumptuous lunch offered to all 900 participants and animated by the presentations and song of the young Salesians from Cau Bong, Ba Thon and Dalat communities.

In the early afternoon without a siesta, the renewed provincial council started their first official council meeting in the presence of the EAO regional councilor, sharing their expectations and new style of teamwork. Fr. Klement shared the experience of the working method of other EAO provinces. According the new style of the Rector Major, also Fr. Joseph Quang received at the end of this first encounter in Rome (March 25-30) a practical ‘Road map’ with 13 points of attention for his 6 years period. After a careful study of this Road Map, the new council is now working on the three years plan for the provincial animation and government.