It was a joyful occasion on 3 December, the Feast of St Francis Xavier, as three Jesuits from Vietnam were ordained to the priesthood bringing up the total number of Jesuit priests in the Vietnamese Province to 98.

Fr Peter Tran Hoan Chinh SJ, Fr Dominic Do Hung Dinh SJ, and Fr Dominic Vu Chi Kien SJ were ordained by Most Reverend Cosme Hoang Van Dat SJ, Bishop of Bac Ninh, at St Joseph Jesuit Scholasticate in Ho Chi Minh City.

Since the country has eased up on social restrictions, about a thousand people were able to attend the celebration, including families and guests of the new priests, as well as benefactors, collaborators, and friends of the Society of Jesus. Vietnamese Provincial Fr Vincent Pham Van Mam SJ was the principal concelebrant together with Fr Andrew Pham Van Tu SJ, the Province Socius, Fr Francis Xavier Nguyen Hai Tinh SJ,  the Formation Delegate, and Fr Joseph Pham Tuan Nghia SJ, the Scholasticate’s Rector.

Fr Peter Tran Hoan Chinh SJ, Fr Dominic Vu Chi Kien SJ, and Fr Dominic Do Hung Dinh SJ with Bishop Cosme Hoang Van Dat SJ

In lieu of a homily, Bishop Dat read a letter of St Francis Xavier to St Ignatius, in which St Francis described his tireless efforts of evangelising new lands in Asia. Bishop Dat pointed to the saint’s apostolic zeal and encouraged the faithful to go out and bring what they have received to others. In his exhortation, he urged the newly ordained priests to “be well aware of the sacredness of your duties and the evangelising mission of your ministries”.

Speaking at the end of the Mass, on behalf of the Province, Fr Mam thanked Bishop Dat, who is also a Jesuit, for his love, care and support, especially for the Jesuit mission group in Bac Ninh Diocese. Fr Mam also extended his gratitude to the benefactors, collaborators, and friends of the Society who have accompanied the Jesuits and attended the Ordination Mass. He especially expressed his sincere gratitude to the new priests’ parents and relatives for dedicating their sons to the Society of Jesus.

Fr Dominic Do Hung Dinh and Fr Dominic Vu Chi Kien have just finished their theological studies at the Saint Joseph Jesuit Scholasticate, while Fr Peter Tran Hoan Chinh completed his theological studies at the Loyola School of Theology in the Philippines.

View photos of the ordination here.

Watch highlights of the celebration