Eight Vietnamese Jesuits were ordained to the diaconate by Most Rev Joseph Nguyễn Tấn Tước, Bishop of Phú Cường, at the chapel of St Joseph Jesuit Scholasticate in Saigon, Vietnam on 26 March, Feast of the Annunciation.
The new deacons are Peter Nguyễn Văn Hoè SJ, FX Nguyễn Quang Tuấn SJ, Paul Nguyễn Hồng Như Khuê SJ, Joseph Tuân Vũ Chí Thành SJ, Cornelius Đinh Chí Thiện SJ, Peter Nguyễn Phúc Hoàng Dũng SJ, Dominic Lê Văn Luận SJ, and Joseph Nguyep Tiin Khải SJ.
The day’s feast celebrates the Lord’s Incarnation in Mary’s womb when Mary humbly accepted the angel Gabriel’s call to become the mother of Jesus, the Son of God. Following the obedient example of Mary, these young men have accepted God’s call to love and serve in all things. Thus, in his homily, Bishop Tuoc invited the ordinandi “to participate in the mission of Christ to be good shepherds and good priests like Jesus Christ to care and serve the people of God”.
The role of deacons is to proclaim the Gospel, to preach the homily, and to assist at the altar. They may also baptise, witness and bless marriages, and preside at the Liturgy of the Hours and funeral liturgies among many other duties. “To accomplish all these holy tasks, it is important for you to have an intimate relationship with the Lord through prayer and service. As the opening prayer of today’s liturgy reminds us: Wisdom in action, persistence in prayer, and gentleness in service,” Bishop Tuoc told the ordinandi.
The ceremony was held with reduced capacity due to Covid-19. Given the difficulties of the pandemic, many of the family members and relatives of the newly ordained were unable to participate.
“In this time of Covid-19, and conflicts and wars happening in the world, I see this ordination as an apparent sign of God’s grace,” shared Deacon Dominic Lê Văn Luận. “God hears our cries, especially the cries of the poor, with our sincere voices. As a deacon called to serve God and His people through good examples of caring and serving, I’m really happy to become a witness of God’s love and compassion. My ordination in this time of crisis awakens and deepens my sense of mission for the poor and for reconciliation. It is really a meaningful call to me.”
Reflecting upon his vocation, Deacon Joseph Tuân Vũ Chí Thành said: “From a very young age, about the 6th grade, I have felt an attraction to the priesthood. At that time, I felt engaged to the Eucharistic Jesus who wanted me to be close to Him. At the same time, I felt marvelous joy when I read the Bible. From then on I have desired to be a preacher of God’s Word to everyone.”
Deacon Cornelius Đinh Chí Thiện also talked about his vocation: “I felt that God has been calling me to religious life since high school. I was not sure then whether I would become a priest. Then, in the Jesuit candidates house, I prayed that if God wants it, I will be a priest to serve Him and His Church. Year after year I learn that God wants me to be a priest for the poor.”
Currently, Deacons Thiện, Thành, Khuê, Luận, Dũng, and Tuân are completing their theology studies at St Joseph Jesuit Scholasticate, while Deacons Khải and Hoè have been missioned to Jesuit communities in Kien Giang and Vinh. [Vietnam Jesuits]
Watch highlights of the ordination here.