By Paul Minh Luan, SDB

Vietnam, 16 October 2023 -- On 13 October, the Salesians from four communities in Hanoi and nearby provinces gathered in Hung Yen province for their quarterly recollection. Since September, the Salesians in the North have been divided into four groups to have their recollection. The communities of Van Phuc, Hoa An, Nong Vu, and Duc Ninh started their first recollection, followed by their own communities’ sharing about their respective settings. Fourteen Confreres out of fifteen were present. In his talk, Fr. John Vinh explored the theme of "Holiness in Salesian Life." He quoted the message of Fr. Pasqual Chavez: “Our sanctification, a gift, and a challenge” (Religious Life at the Change of an Era: An Anthology). For us Salesians, holiness is built on the daily response as the expression and fruit of the spirituality and ascesis of ‘da mihi animas cetera tolle.’ "My dear Salesians, be saints!" At 11:15, the Salesians celebrated the Eucharist. In his homily, Fr. John Cuong cited article 95 in our Constitutions to remind the Confreres about the union with God amidst the working field and during encounters with young people. After lunch, the Salesians ended the recollection in which they showed their fraternity, hoping that the fire of Don Bosco’s dream for the young would enkindle the world, especially in the North of Vietnam.

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