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Vietnam Province Celebrates Ordinations, Postulants Acceptance Rite, and the Feast of St. Arnold Janssen
Joseph Đỗ Nguyên Vũ, SVD
The liturgy unfolded in a deeply sacred and prayerful atmosphere, recalling the priestly and diaconal vocations as inestimable gifts bestowed by God upon the Church, the Society of the Divine Word, and the newly ordained. In his preaching, Bishop Nguyễn Huy Bắc reflected on the Prologue of the Gospel of John and emphasized that the mission of the Incarnate Word is threefold: to share the human condition, to walk together, and to show compassion in the concrete human reality of Jesus Christ. From this foundation, he invited all SVD missionaries to live out the mystery of the Incarnation by “building bridges between the Word and life, between faith and culture, and between society and the Church” in their service to the People of God.
The spirit of joy and gratitude continued as the Province moved closer to the Feast of Saint Arnold Janssen, Founder of the Society of the Divine Word. On January 14–15, the Main House District organized a lively sports program featuring volleyball, football, and table tennis, with the participation of five teams: the priests and brothers, Postulants I, Postulants II, the Novitiate, and the Aspirants. The round-robin format fostered fraternity, energy, and a joyful missionary spirit among all participants.
The celebration culminated on the morning of January 15 with the Solemn Mass in honor of Saint Arnold Janssen at the Main House Chapel. During the liturgy, the Province joyfully celebrated the Entrance Rite to the Divine Word Postulancy, officially welcoming 14 candidates into the pre-novitiate program for the 2025–2027 academic years. The Mass was presided over by Fr. Vincent Trần Trung Bảo, SVD, Vice Provincial, who also officiated the Rite, with participation from members of the Main House District and close lay collaborators.
Adding further significance to the day, the Province also inaugurated its new Pastoral Center, welcoming various groups to use the space for meetings and retreats. Reflecting on these meaningful events, Fr. Vincent invited everyone to renew their appreciation for the life and missionary legacy of St. Arnold Janssen, expressing hope that religious—especially the newly admitted postulants—would walk closely with the Divine Word in the mission of proclaiming the Gospel throughout the world.
