By VIE SocCom

K’long, Lam Dong, Vietnam, 9 April 2025 - From April 5th to 7th, 2025, the Don Bosco Retreat Center in K’Long (Duc Trong, Lam Dong) hosted the annual Retreat and Congress for over 100 Aspirants of the Salesians of Don Bosco Vietnam. The event, organized by the Youth Ministry Commission of the Salesian Province of Vietnam (VIE), centered on the meaningful theme: "Anchored in Hope, pilgrims with the young."

The program was graced and accompanied by Fr. Joseph Nguyen Kim Khanh, Vice-Provincial; Fr. Peter Nguyen Viet Quang Minh, Delegate for Youth Ministry; priests from the Don Bosco K’Long community; Vocation Directors and Assistant Vocation Directors from the Vocation Centers; and accompanying Salesians from the five Vocation Centers: Xuan Hiep, Ben Cat, Da Lat, Nong Vu, and Can Tho.

Embarking on a Spiritual Journey

The program commenced with a sharing session on missionary experiences in Thailand, presented by the Delegate for Youth Ministry, the Delegate for Formation, and missionary Salesians from the Salesian Province of Thailand. Following this, the Opening Mass, presided over by Fr. Joseph Nguyen Kim Khanh, Vice-Provincial, officially initiated the retreat days. In his homily, Fr. Joseph emphasized the importance of "opening hearts" to receive Jesus Christ – the true source of Hope for the aspirants in their vocational discernment journey.

Deepening Interior Life and Vocation

Over the next two days (April 5-6), the aspirants engaged in three profound retreat conferences:

• "Spiritual Accompaniment": Fr. Joseph Vu Duc Huan shared core concepts and aspects of receiving spiritual guidance and accompaniment.
• "Overcoming Fear with Hope": Fr. Joseph Doan Tan Hien offered the aspirants a fresh and optimistic perspective on facing challenges in their vocational journey.
• "Walking Towards the Dream with Hope": Fr. Paul Nguyen Toan Khoa concluded the talks, inspiring and encouraging the aspirants to persevere in their consecrated life.

Concluding in Gratitude and Unity

A Taizé prayer service on the evening of April 6th and the Closing Mass on the morning of April 7th concluded the retreat days in a prayerful atmosphere. During the Closing Mass, Fr. Peter Nguyen Viet Quang Minh, Delegate for Youth Ministry, encouraged the aspirants to maintain a close relationship with God and a sincere bond with their spiritual accompanier – who supports and guides them on their vocational path.

Following the moments of reflection, the Aspirants' Congress featured lively team-building games, strengthening fraternity and unity among the Vocation Centers. Fr. Peter Nguyen Viet Quang Minh, on behalf of the Organizing Committee, summarized the program and imparted valuable spiritual provisions for the aspirants' journey ahead.

In a spirit of gratitude, representatives of the aspirants expressed profound appreciation to the Provincial Council members, the Delegate for Youth Ministry, the Rector and community of Don Bosco K’Long, the accompanying Priests and Brothers, and all the lay collaborators who diligently contributed to the success of the program, vividly showcasing the Salesian family spirit.

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