Vietnam North Delegation, Thai Binh, 14 December 2022 -- Thousands of people with physical disabilities from Vietnam’s northern provinces have found love, solidarity and unity as they join Christmas celebrations at a church center in Thai Binh. Last weekend 10-11 December, about 5,000 people with physical disabilities attended a special gathering to celebrate Christmas at the Divine Mercy Center at An Lac parish in Vu Thu district, about 12 km from the center of Thai Binh diocese. The participants, most of them non-Catholics, were served by nearly 1,000 volunteers including religious and college students.
Here are a few heartfelt testimonies of the participants:
“I am delighted to attend the gathering where I feel loved and respected, meet other people who have similar conditions, and relax with leisure activities,” shares Ms Nhan (34) who suffers from complete paralysis and was taken to the center on a special bed by a relative. She has attended this annual event already 7 times. “Although I’m not Catholic, I am genuinely interested in the faith as many of its members live a good life and work for the common good. I will embrace the religion in the future.”
Mr Linh, a carpenter with good health (24), but who has a severely disfigured face, said this was the first time he had gone to a Christmas gathering which inspired him to overcome his physical condition and enjoy life to the full as he was a man like others. One his friends also handicapped, a Catholic, invited him to join this Christmas event.
Mr Joseph Khiem (40) said many people keep away from him as they fear his deformed face. He sells items online to support his old mother. He said no longer has a complex about his face but absolutely trusts in divine love as he gains inner strength from the Christmas gathering which he has attended many times.
Behind this annual gathering is Salesian Bishop Peter Nguyen Van De (emeritus of Thai Binh) supported by a religious congregation founded in Thai Binh and also by a large group of volunteers, benefactors and foundation. Bishop Peter De started the annual gathering 21 years ago as a professor in the major seminary, after he ended his Vietnam provincial term in 1996. He believes this event is a marvelous opportunity for disabled people to interact with one another, take part in recreational and cultural activities, and especially experience the real love and joy of Christmas: "Christmas is for all people including disabled people as they are also children of God and they should be respected and treated humanely... Disabled people set shining examples of how to show solidarity with others." And Bishop Peter was deeply moved by an old man who collected three million Vietnamese dong (US$125) from other disabled people and offered to support this event, which costs three billion dong (US$125,000) and is sponsored by many benefactors.
During the gathering, participants listened to talks about a synodal church and marriage, had medical checkups and received medicine, played traditional games for gifts, watched cultural performances, enjoyed meals, and attended a Mass concelebrated by three bishops and joined by other 50 priests. Among the Christmas gifts were given also many new wheelchairs.
Thanks to this long commitment of Bishop De, also the Salesians of Vietnam North delegation are also closely involved in the ministry for disabled in Thai Binh with one community dedicated to this special mission and Oratory in Cat Dam (Thai Binh city).
Bishop Peter De (76) who stepped down as bishop of Thai Binh last October due to his age (October 2022), said he will continue to hold such gatherings in the future as disabled people are special gifts God gives to the local Church. At this point of his life Bishop De is full of gratitude: "I thank our Divine Merciful God so much for his great love for me. I thank also our Mary Help of Christians, since I have entrusted to Her the whole Diocese of Thai Binh. On the day of my thanksgiving concluding my ministry as Bishop of Thai Binh, I have expressed clearly and publicly my deep gratitude towards Don Bosco, to all my Salesian Superiors who have brought to me my precious Salesian Vocation since 1958 as a Salesian aspirant and with 58 years as a professed Salesian. I’m always happy and grateful to Don Bosco for all my life. Please continue to thank God for me that I may be always faithful to Don Bosco’s Spirit and Salesian heritage! "
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