By Viet SC
DB Xuan Hiep, Thus Doc, Vietnam 31 July 2022 -- On July 30, 2022, at Don Bosco Xuan Hiep community, Thu Duc, Don Bosco Vietnam Salesian Province joyfully gathered to celebrate Provincial Community Day.
In the spirit of the Constitutions, once a year, members in all parts of the country have the opportunity to give thanks to God together, to appreciate each other and to share the joys and sorrows of the hard years for the mission serving young people in various works. At the same time, this is also an opportunity for members to receive the Letter of Obedience from the Provincial to transfer to new communities.
Participating in the this day includes all Vietnamese Salesian members, missionary Salesians present in Vietnam and Novices, Pre-Novices. The head of the program is Vice-Provincial Father Joseph Nguyen Kim Khanh, and the one responsible for animating the holiday is Father Peter Quang Minh and the Fathers in the Youth Ministry.
At 8:30 a.m, the Thanksgiving Mass began in a warm and sacred atmosphere with an entrance song that conveyed the meaning of the beauty of Consecrated life. The Mass was celebrated by Father Barnabas Le An Phong.
In his homily, with a gentle and simple way of communicating, Father Provincial hoped that each Salesian would become a true shepherd, having a good influence on the sheep they meet in life. To illustrate his idea, the Provincial gave two pastoral examples that had a decisive influence on the life of Don Bosco, namely Father Calosso and Father Cafasso. From there, he led the community to the portrait of the supreme shepherd, Jesus Christ, who not only guides the sheep but also gives his life for the sheep.
After Communion, Fr Barnabas handed over the Letter of Obedience to the members. In this special rite, the Provincial also expressed his feelings in the transformation of the community of the confreres. According to him, whether we are happy or sad when we receive the Letter of Obedience, we leave everything in God's providential hands, ready for the mission that He has personally entrusted to each confrere in the Salesian spirit.
After Mass, the atmosphere warms up with football matches between the teams of the formation houses.
The "Family Love" day continued to be extended with a warm and cozy fraternal meal, accompanied by interesting and fun musical performances performed by fathers and brothers.
The last part of the day was a meeting program in the hall of the Theological Academy. In this section, the young members have the opportunity to introduce themselves to the Salesians of previous generations to know them better.
The happy day closed with the words and sharing from the Father Provincial.
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