By Viet SC

       Don Bosco Xuan Hiep Parish, Thu Duc, Vietnam, 20 August 2022 -- In the autumn of 1846, in a conversation with Marchioness Barolo, Don Bosco expressed his unwavering commitment with his heart: "I have vowed to give my whole life to poor boys, and no one can take away the mission that God has given me.”

       Following in that determined step of Don Bosco, at 9:30 a.m., Monday, August 15, 2022, on the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 9 Salesians also pledged to dedicate their whole lives for God and poor youth, during the Perpetual Profession Mass held at Don Bosco Xuan Hiep Parish, Thu Duc.

       The Mass was celebrated by Father Barnaba Le An Phong. Concelebrating with him were the Provincial of Thailand, the superior of Cambodia and many Salesian priests. Attending the Mass were the rich and precious presence of Brothers and Sisters of different religious orders, parents, relatives, benefactors and friends of the Candidates.

       At the beginning of the Mass, Fr Barnaba greeted the community and expressed his joy on the great day of the Congregation, of the Province, of everyone, for the Gift of Lifetime Consecration that God has given for 9 confreres.

       The same sentiment, "Life for God" was the theme throughout Father Provincial's homily. According to him, Mary is the model of a person who has dedicated her life to God during his earthly journey. Specifically, with her "Yes", Mary was taken up by God to Heaven, because she completely abandoned herself to hear and follow God's call in each step containing all emotions of being human.

       With the same thought, Father Provincial invited the community to follow Her example, to dedicate their whole life to God, in each person's different life status and circumstances.

       “However, in a life dominated by so many passions and burdens of livelihood, we are often easily chasing after fleeting things and illusions, which keep us away from longing to belong to God. On the Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady into Heaven, we are reminded of eternal realities, where she has reached and is interceding for each one of us,” continued Father Provincial.

       Then, with the heart of a father, he invited the candidates to always carry with them the determination to belong entirely to the Lord; that is how religious do not trivialize their vocation, and is the motivation for them every day to look to Heaven like Mary.

       After this the professions took place. In a truly sacred and dignified atmosphere, before the Provincial - the representative of the Rector Major - the confreres concerned expressed their commitment of love, belonging completely to God in the Church, the Salesian Congregation of Don Bosco. Father Provincial received their perpetual vows in the joy of communicating it to everyone attending the Mass.

       The Mass continued with the Liturgy of the Eucharist – a fervent celebration helping the community to deepen their gratitude to God for the grace He has poured out on each person.

       Before the end of the Mass, on behalf of the new perpetually professed conferes, Br Dominic Dinh Trung Hieu thanked to God and thanked everyone who has accompanied them on their journey as they have pursued their Salesian vocation. Br Antony Nguyen Van Hoang also thanked the Provincial of Thailand, the superior of Cambodia, and the Cambodian brothers and sisters who worked with him during his time in Cambodia.

       Then, in his response, Fr Barnaba did not forget to thank the newly-professed confreres' parents, and he invited their families to continue to pray for them.

       The Mass ended in holy joy. And that joy was prolonged in the party full of family love, an opportunity for everyone to meet and share stories and cultural performances. It all made the atmosphere more lively and complete.

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