Where are growing the novices of Vietnam?

By Our Own Correspondent

Ho Chi Min City, Vietnam, 7 February 2017 -- The parish of St. John Bosco and the Salesian compound in Ba Thon, Ho Chi Min City hosts the novices of our most numerous province within the EAO region. Within the context of twofold domestic migration in Vietnam - from the rural zones to the cities and from the North to the South, almost 10 millions are moving for ever or at least seasonally far from their home.

Our Salesian parishes in HCM City are witnessing also a sharp increase of parish population due to migration. Ba Thon parish is no exception. With annual increase of more than 300 new parishioners join St. John Bosco and about 200 newly baptized (150 infants and 50 adults) the parish attendance on Sunday is now close to 5000 Catholics. Industrial and fast growing zone of the parish is divided in 16 smaller communities, each with own lay leader. Parish council of 60 and some 200+ active mission partners is involved in the main activities of the Catholic community. Also Salesian Family counts Salesian Cooperators, VDB and Don Bosco Alumni.

11 Salesian Novices (23-30 years of age) are coming from different parts of the country and are well accompanied by eight Salesians (one Salesian Brother, one Cleric and 6 Priests). Their formation is happening within a busy parish compound, with a variety of apostolic experience (including also nearby juvenile reformatory and Oratory). The continuity of vocation growth is guaranteed by a strong connection between the pre-novitiate (this year 30 prenovices and 21 pre-prenovices) and mutual interventions of formators from both houses.

For past 19 years changed many SDB Novice Directors, but Mrs. Teresa (SDB community cook) is one of the most faithful Salesian Lay Mission Partners with her daily cheerful service and contribution to the formation of hundreds of Don Bosco's of Vietnam. We give thanks for the Ba Thon parish community, youth and migrants for being our home. And we pray that many Salesian vocation stories will flourish in Ba Thon also in the future.

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