Six Vietnamese Jesuit deacons were ordained priests in the chapel of St Joseph Jesuit Scholasticate in Thu Duc, on 3 December by Most Rev Emmanuel Nguyen Hong Son, Bishop of Ba Ria Diocese.
The new priests are Fathers Francis Xavier Hoang Trong An SJ, John Pham Duy Anh SJ, Michael Tran Gia Bao SJ, Anton Tran Khac Ba SJ, Joseph Nguyen Minh Do SJ, and Vincent Vu Tu Quyet, SJ
In the context of the Covid-19 epidemic, the ordination Mass was simple but dignified and filled with a zealous atmosphere. Concelebrating with the Bishop were Vietnamese Provincial Fr Vincent Pham Van Mam, Socius Fr Andre Pham Van Tu, and more than 40 Jesuit priests. There were also other members in the Vietnam Province and about 20 benefactors and relatives of the ordinants attending the Mass.
In his homily, Bishop Son stressed that the priesthood is both a gift and a mission. The priest is expected to carry out the priestly office of Jesus. “We do not give these brothers a certain title in society,” he said. “But we transmitted the office – the ministry, which has been handed down from the time of the Apostles to the Church today and until the end of time.” He asked everyone present at the Mass to pray for the ordinands to become “priests in the prophetic mission, in the role of preacher of the Word to the faithful.”
The Bishop also reminded the ordinands: “Be more aware of your response to Jesus’ call because God Himself has called and trained each person through a process that has lasted until this day.” The passage from John 15, 15b: “I call you friends” that the new priests chose as their ordination theme was spoken by Jesus to his disciples when he was about to make His sacrifice on the cross. Therefore, said Bishop Son, the “ordinands will also carry out their mission, not only as servants at the command of their masters, but also as a close and growing friend of Jesus”.
Finally, Bishop Son recalled St Ignatius’ motto, “For the greater glory of God” and St Francis Xavier’s dream of saving souls, “Lord, still more! Still more!” The Bishop invited the ordinands to be more and more in their mission and desire to do only that which is for the greater glory of God.
After the Communion prayer, Fr Mam on behalf of the Vietnamese Jesuit Province, the new priests, and their families expressed his gratitude to Bishop Son, whom the province was able to invite through Archbishop Joseph Nguyen Nang. Fr Mam also thanked the priests, religious, benefactors, and relatives and friends near and far of the newly ordained who shared their solidarity in many different ways. The province also paid special tribute to the great-grandparents and families of the Jesuits who have wholeheartedly loved God and others, and have willingly given the Order their beloved children.
The ordination Mass ended with joy and gratitude for the many miracles that God has been doing for each new priest, as well as for the Socieyt of Jesus in Vietnam.
Watch highlights of the ordination Mass here.