By Viet SC
Thai Binh, Vietnam, 1 September 2022 -- At 9:30 a.m., on August 29, 2022, at the Don Bosco Community of Trai Gao, Thai Binh, Father John Baptist Tran Van Hao, SDB made his profession of faith as he took up his role as the Superior of Vietnam North Delegation. Salesian Bishop of Thai Binh diocese Peter Nguyen Van De, presided at the Mass. Concelebrating with the Bishop were Father Provincial, Barnabas Le An Phong, his councillors, Salesian and diocesan priests. There was the presence of the Salesian young confreres and brothers, FMA sisters, religious of other congregations and parishioners.
Before the start of the Mass, Provincial Secretary Joseph Do Hong Phuc published the letter of the Major Rector approving Father John Baptist as the superior of the Vietnam North Delegation.
In his homily, Bishop Peter mentioned the Church’s holy flower garden. Among the many beautiful flowers, it includes the flower of the Salesians. The responsibility of this flower is brightening the youth and helping them to become good Christians and holy citizens.
Concluding the homily, the Bishop mentioned the feast day of the execution of Saint John the Baptist, August 29. The saint witnessed to God in his own life, willing to be executed to testify for God. As Father John Baptist chose the saint as his patron, surely his life is also called to cut away the bad things every day to become the good shepherd and the holy Salesian as God desires.
Before giving the final blessing, the new Superior had a few words of thanks to the Bishop of the Diocese and all the participants and invited them to continue to love and pray for him in this new mission. After Mass, everyone took a photo together and shared a family meal in the community. May God always bless him, so that he always fulfills the mission entrusted by the Congregation and the Church.