By Viet SC

       HCM City, Vietnam, 16 November 2022 -- November 11 every year is the anniversary of the first missionary expedition of the Salesian Congregation. In order to strengthen the sense of missionary responsibility among its members, the Mission Animation Commission of the Viet Nam Salesian Province organized a Provincial Mission Day with the theme: “Be a true Witness of the Gospel”. This year’s Provincial Mission Day is held in 3 regions: Saigon – Western region on November 14 at Rinaldi Xuan Hiep community, Ho Chi Minh City; The North Delegation on November 15 at Van Phuc community, Ha Noi City; and Central Highland region on November 17 at Don Rua community, Da Lat City.

       Attending the provincial mission day in Xuan Hiep on November 14, there was the presence of Vice Provincial Father Joseph Nguyen Kim Khanh, members of the Salesian family in the Saigon – Western region. In addition, there was also the presence of two Salesian priests in charge of youth ministry of Myanmar and Indonesia who had attended the EAO youth ministry delegates’ meeting at the provincial house in Ho Chi Minh City the week before, and especially the presence of the Vietnamese Salesian confreres and FMA sisters who are missionaries Ad Gentes around the world and having their vacations in Vietnam.

       There were 4 sharings from 8:00 am to 10:45 am: 1. Father Vu Kim Long, the provincial delegate for Mission Animation on the topic “Salesian life as a missionary”; 2. Father Joseph Tran Van Hien member of Mission Animation Commission shared the topic “Mission Ad Gentes” and presented the feedbacks’ summary of 6 questions on missions from all communities of the Province; 3. Father Joseph Nguyen Dinh Phuc, Rector of Khop commnity which is in missionary area, shared about the mission in the Central Highlands; 4. Father Peter Hoai Van shared his missionary experience in Papua New Guinea. Interspersed with the sharings were lively dances of the young people from K’long and K’Ren parishes, the two parishes of the ethnic minorities in the highlands.

       Mass took place at 11:00 am presided by Fr. Vice Provincial. In his Homily, Fr. Quang Thai, a missionary in South Sudan, emphasized the true meaning of mission. According to him, mission is not ‘going out’ but ‘going down’, ‘going down’ like Jesus, from God he descended and became nothing. From there, the missionary carries out his mission starting in the community and opening to others through the path of love, practicing charity in the way that Jesus taught.

       After the Mass, everyone shared a family meal that was animated by very special musical performances by prenovices, novices, missionaries and confreres.

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