Vietnam celebrates Vocations Sunday with diaconate ordinations

By Devin Watkins

As the Church celebrated the World Day of Prayer for Vocations on Sunday, Catholics in Vietnam’s capital expressed their support for eight men who recently took an important step on their journey toward the priesthood.

Archbishop Joseph Vu Van Thien had ordained eight new transitional deacons for his Archdiocese of Hà Nội.

He celebrated the Mass at Hanoi’s Cathedral of St. Joseph on 26 April, and presided over the ordination rite.

In his homily, Archbishop Van Thiên spoke to the new deacons about the three orders of the clerical state: diaconate, priesthood, and episcopate.

He pointed out that the three orders “are not titles or honors that indicate privilege, but tasks in service.”

Papal message for Vocations Day

In his message for the 60th World Vocations Day, Pope Francis said that there can be no vocation without mission, since Christians find true happiness and self-realization in offering others the new life we have discovered in Christ.

“Our mission finds expression in works of material and spiritual mercy,” said the Pope, “in a welcoming and gentle way of life that reflects closeness, compassion and tenderness, in contrast to our throwaway culture and general indifference.”

The Holy Father also pointed out that the Lord’s call to the ordained ministry represents a unique mission within the vocational call of all Christians to bring the Gospel to others.

First gathering since outbreak of pandemic

Meanwhile, the Archdiocese of Hanoi recently celebrated its first large-scale gathering of young people after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Some 5,000 young Catholics took part in the 7th Diocesan Youth Day on Sunday, 23 April.

They gathered under the theme of “Mary rose and went in haste”, which will form the background for World Youth Day in Lisbon in early August.

At the event in Hanoi, Archbishop Van Thiên celebrated Mass and led a half-hour of Eucharistic Adoration.

Seven groups of young Catholics wrapped up the meeting with artistic expressions of what it means for them to walk together with Mary in their lives.