“Unless a seed falls to the ground and dies, it cannot bear fruit.”
Reeling in grief for the sudden death of Fr. Peter Nguyen The Trinh SSS, consultor and in charge of formation in the province, on the 25th of July, feast of St. James, the first martyr among the Apostles, the SSS Vietnamese Province celebrated a series of events in the spirit of the Paschal Mystery filled with hope.
As Jesus says, “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” (Jn 12,24). Fr. Peter in his 54 years of life, lived 24 years as religious and had dedicated several years in the formation of seminarians. His efforts have germinated and produced some immediate fruits in abundance as the province marks several vocation events.
Diaconal Ordination
On the 31st of July 2017 at 9:00a.m., the Province celebrated in praise and gratitude the diaconal ordinations of 8 SSS religious by Most Reverend Emmanuel Nguyen Hong Son, Bishop of the Diocese of Ba Ria, who was also the presider.
The newly ordained deacons are: Rev. Joseph Nguyen The Anh, SSS; Rev. Joseph Maria Le Tran Minh Dang, SSS; Rev. Martino Le Trung Hieu, SSS; Rev. Joseph Vu Trong Nghia, SSS; Rev. Laurent Le Cong Tran Phat, SSS; Rev. Dominic Do Thanh Phuoc, SSS; Rev. Peter Tong Duy Thinh, SSS; and Rev. John Baptist Bach Hong Tri, SSS.
Through the intercessions of Mary, Mother of the Cenacle, St. Peter Julian Eymard, our founder, and the saints, we pray that our newly ordained deacons would have the courage to commit themselves to the Eucharistic Kingdom by realizing the words of courage they have received from Bishop Emmanuel:
"Imitate Jesus Christ who has emptied himself to serve everybody. Be like Jesus in his humble way of service. From now on, you carry on your life a special mission which nurtures the people with the Words of God and distributes the heavenly food which is the Body and Blood of Christ. Besides, you need to commit yourselves in doing charitable works, looking after the poor and the abandoned and marginalized because they are all part of the mystical Body of Christ.”
Profession of Perpetual Vows
On the 2nd of August, the Province celebrated the feast of our founder St. Peter Julian Eymard at Khiet Tam Church. As a tradition in the Province, religious make their profession of perpetual vows during this special and joyous celebration. This year, 6 religious made their definitive commitment to the consecrated life by their profession of perpetual religious vows in the Congregation.
The following are our new bonafide confreres: Joseph Maria Nguyen Vu Duong, SSS; Martino Tran Nguyen Minh Hien, SSS; Joseph Nguyen Thanh Kham, SSS; Joseph Pham Tuan Khoi, SSS; Francis Xavier Tran Anh Tu, SSS; and Peter Nguyen Minh Tuan, SSS.
They are the beautiful fruits that we offer to God and we ask Him to transform them into disciples-apostles of the Eucharist following the footsteps of St. Peter Julian Eymard.
First Profession of Vows
On the 1st of August, the actual date of the death of our founder, the Province had a special celebration in Hai Duong Church. On this occasion, the Province joyfully welcomed 9 young men who willingly accepted the challenge and ardently committed themselves to the eucharistc mission by their first profession of religious vows in the Congregation.
They are they following: Joseph Hoang Dinh But, SSS; Joseph Tran Van Hanh, SSS; Paul Nguyen Van Ly, SSS; Peter Vu Huu Phong, SSS; Joseph Nguyen Van Phuong, SSS; Peter Nguyen Huu Phuoc, SSS; John Baptist Nguyen Van Toan, SSS; Joseph Pham Chinh Truc, SSS; and Peter Tran Huy Vu, SSS.
Entry to the Novitiate
In a joyful atmosphere of preparation for the feast of our founder St. Peter Julian Eymard with all SSS confreres throughout the world, the Novitiate Community anticipated the grace-filled event with the entry of 7 candidates who officially started their first canonical year of novitiate on the 31st of July. Along with the members of the Hai Duong community and novice master, the vicar provincial superior graced the occasion as presider of the rite of Initiation into Religious Life in the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament.
They are: Peter Dang Ngoc Binh, nSSS; John Nguyen Van Cho, nSSS; Peter Tu Nguyen Van Dung, nSSS; John Baptist Tran Van Tu, nSSS; Francis Xavier Cao Van Long, nSSS; Anton Tran Van Thuyet, nSSS; and Joseph Nguyen Van Thanh, nSSS.
The novitiate period is a special time for them to live in intimacy with Jesus in the Eucharist, to integrate the SSS charism and to continue the process of vocation discernment whether they fit to the SSS way of life.
Entry to the Postulancy
On the 4th of August 2017 at An Phu Community, 14 young men who are attracted to the SSS charism and spirituality remarkably joined in the Postulancy program.
The vicar provincial superior presided over the initial rite of acceptance. The An Phu community and the postulant director joyfully welcomed the new group of postulants.
They are: Peter Tran Ngoc Anh, pSSS; Peter Hoang Duy Cuong, pSSS; Dominic Mai Quoc Huy, pSSS; Anton Nguyen Van Lap, pSSS; Peter Nguyen Van Lich, pSSS; Anton Nguyen Van Nhan, pSSS; Joseph Pham Van Son, pSSS; Peter M. Truong Do Hong Son, pSSS; Peter Nguyen Dinh Thanh, pSSS; John Baptist Ngo Hoang Tram, pSSS; John Baptist Ngo Van Trinh, pSSS; Peter Nguyen Xuan Truong, pSSS; Joseph Vu Ngoc Hoang Tuan, pSSS; and Joseph Ho Sy Vuong, pSSS.
The seeds sown by our confrere Fr. Peter and by many others before us remarkably fell into rich soil and with the grace of God continue to produce abundant fruits.
May God through the intercession of St. Peter Julian Eymard inspire in the hearts of our young religious the passion for the Eucharistic mission by raising their awareness of belong to the Eymardian Family, deepening their understanding of the Gift of Self and courageously breaking their lives for the world, following with greater fidelity the example of our founder, the Apostle of the Eucharist.
The Provincial Communication