16 Aug birth of the vietnamese region
On this very beautiful day of the Feast of the Assumption, a new region of The Institute has just been born in Vietnam. We prepared for this special event with 24 hours adoration in each community. Like Mary at the feet of Jesus, we bring to Him our gratitude, our desires, our dreams and our concerns for the Region.The novices and the Sisters of the Sacred Heart Novitiate had a more special gift for the Region with a Novena to Santa Rafaela.
In the Eucharist celebrated by Fr. Vincent Mầm, SJ, he congratulated and confirmed to us that God has a special love for the Handmaids in Vietnam. “There are many congregations with Ignatian Spirituality in Vietnam but among all, God loves you very much”. He then quoted Pope Francis in his latest Apostolic Exhortation Querida Amazonia to remind us to be UNITED, “united by faith in God; united by our desire for his words that guide our steps; united by the fire of the Spirit and by the passion for the kingdom, by the struggle for peace and justice.”
A celebration followed in the hall with the proclamation of the Decree of the Erection of the Region of Vietnam, in which we recalled the very first meeting between two young Vietnamese students and some Handmaids on a journey by boat in 1966. Then, the Lord continued patiently waiting for us here. Twenty-seven years later, in 1995, Sisters Cecilia Tong and Maria Chi set foot in this land. Only Maria Chi remained, silently cultivating vocations. This is truly a history of God’s faithfulness to us. At this moment, we are blessed with 18 professed, 16 sisters of temporal vows, 8 novices, 5 postulants and 7 aspirants spread out over many parts of the world. In the Decree, Sr.Rosario gives special thanks to the Vice-province of the Philippines, which was so generous in being our home for formation for many years.
The festive atmosphere, the universal spirit and the sense of belonging to the One Body of the Institute were intensely felt at the banquet prepared by the Sisters of the community of Chau Binh and in the many videos, calls, and messages from the Sisters in many parts of the world.
On this Feast of Our Lady, may she and Santa Rafaela continue to bring each Sister of this new Region closer to her Son. Indeed, there is so much to be thankful for.
Sr. Cecilia Trinh, aci
