Tuesday, 24 March 2020 09:24

Inauguration of the new Provincialate

Since the presence of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament in Viet Nam (1970), the word of Fr Eymard has become alive more than ever to all religious of the province of Vietnamese Martyrs: “So now we are at our Lord’s house, in a large house with a lovely chapel and a beautiful garden.” (CO 750)Since the presence of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament in Viet Nam (1970), the word of Fr Eymard has become alive more than ever to all religious of the province of Vietnamese Martyrs: “So now we are at our Lord’s house, in a large house with a lovely chapel and a beautiful garden.” (CO 750)

Indeed, Fr Eymard faced many difficulties to buy the first house which laid the foundation for the Congregation to flourish later. However, it was in God’s Providence that on February 19, 1858, Fr Eymard was able to buy it at Faubourg Saint Jacques, Paris. From there, the Congregation spread all over the world.

As a new foundation, the Vietnamese Province has also undergone such difficult times as our Founder did. However, with the grace of God and the help of generous benefactors and friends, the Province has eventually built up a dream house after almost 50 years of foundation and development. It is a big house with various rooms catering for different needs, with a 200-seat chapel and a mini football court.

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At 9 a.m. on January 1st, 2020, the opening and blessing ceremonies took place in front of the new building which has now become the new Provincialate located at #15, 4th Street, Binh Chieu Ward, Thu Duc District, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Joining in this special occasion were Fr Eugênio Barbosa Martins, sss - General Superior, Fr. Vu Quoc Binh sss - General Consultor, Fr Philip Watkins, sss - Provincial Superior of the Australian Province, Fr Roel Dela Cruz, sss - Provincial Superior of the Philippine Province, SSS priests, religious and members of the Eymardian family. Additionally, there was the presence of other invited priests and religious. Many benefactors, families and close friends who contributed generously to this project also came for this day.

After a brief outline of the history of the presence of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament in Viet Nam, Fr Provincial and some designated priests came forward to cut the ribbon and to reveal the foundation stone, witnessed by all attendees. The Blessing of the new chapel followed. At the end of the rite, people formed a procession heading to Khiet Tam church to celebrate the Thanksgiving Mass.

The mass was filled with joy yet solemn. In his homily, Fr Joseph Phan Ngoc Tro, sss – vice superior focused on the gratitude of Mother Mary. After saying FIAT, she dedicated her entire life to praise God by never ceasing to meditate and to accompany Jesus from the manger to Calvary.

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After Jesus’ ascension, she remained in the Upper Room to pray. From her example, the homilist invited SSS religious to imitate Mary in offering praise to God day after day. Indeed, this new house is a gift from God through the contribution of many generous people.

Therefore, to be grateful, SSS religious should not only pray for them every day but also become more enthusiastic in the evangelization of God’s love in the Eucharist.

After the mass, Fr Eugênio - General Superior, gave the Papal Blessing Parchment to Fr Peter Trinh Nhu Cung, sss - Provincial Superior. It was the happiness for all members of the Eymardian family to receive such a blessing on this special occasion.

“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain” (Ps 127,1). Indeed, all that the Province has had are from God’s countless blessings; and it is God who has built this new house through the generous contribution of all benefactors. We hope that this house will become a place of recollection, meeting, recreation and of welcoming for everyone so that it can fulfill its meaning – “A CENACLE” where people can meet each other and especially meet the Master of this house – Jesus Christ.

 

Father Martin Augustin Bui Van Hoang Phuc, sss

Last modified on Tuesday, 24 March 2020 09:33