Hien Linh Parish, the mother parish of the Society of Jesus in Vietnam, joyfully celebrated its 50th anniversary on 1 September. The parish was the Society’s first apostolic mission after the Jesuits returned to Vietnam in 1957.
Archbishop Joseph Nguyễn Năng of the Archdiocese of Ho Chi Minh City presided over the Thanksgiving Mass. Concelebrating with him was Vietnamese Provincial Fr Joseph Phạm Tuấn Nghĩa SJ, together with priests from both the Society of Jesus and the diocesan clergy. Nearly 1,500 of the faithful gathered for the celebration.
In his homily, Archbishop Nguyễn Năng invited the faithful to look back upon the past 50 years with grateful hearts to God and the many generations who, often quietly and without recognition, had sown the seeds of faith, laid the foundation, and patiently nurtured the parish community.
During its first 10 years, the community used the chapel of the Jesuit Novitiate for the celebration of Mass and other community activities. Later, a former kindergarten opposite the Trần Công Ngọ military compound was renovated and transformed into the parish’s new church.
For forty years, that small and simple church has been at the heart of community life. Countless Masses have been celebrated there: children have received the Sacraments of Christian Initiation; couples have entered into the sacrament of Holy Matrimony; and many elderly parishioners and loved ones have completed their earthly journey and returned to the Lord.
When it started, Hien Linh Parish had only approximately 250 parishioners belonging to several dozen families in a rural area facing many difficulties. Today, it has grown to more than 4,000 parishioners, organised into eight pastoral sub-parishes.
Yet the mission is far from complete. The parish is preparing to build a new church, catechetical centre, and parish house in response to its growing and diverse pastoral needs. But beyond the construction of buildings, the parish is called to become an ever more vibrant community rooted in faith and love.
Many people living within its territory have not yet come to know the Lord. Hence, the 50th anniversary was not simply an occasion to remember the past but also a moment to discern anew God’s call and mission—to go beyond building structures and open the door to those who have not yet come to know Him, to preserve the seeds that have already been sown but also to continue sowing new seeds.
At the end of the Mass, Fr Nghĩa announced the Apostolic Blessing of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV granted to Fr Peter Nguyễn Đức Trí SJ, Pastor of the parish, and to the entire Hien Linh Parish community on the occasion of its 50th anniversary. The Apostolic Blessing was subsequently imparted to Fr Trí by Archbishop Nguyễn Năng.
In response to this grace, Fr Trí, speaking on behalf of the Hien Linh Parish community, offered thanksgiving to God and expressed his deep gratitude to the former pastors and associate pastors, benefactors, and all those who have quietly served and contributed to making Hien Linh Parish a common home for several generations of the faithful. He also expressed his gratitude to the Archbishop, priests, men and women religious, guests, and all those who had accompanied and supported the parish, including those who helped in the preparations for the anniversary celebration.
Throughout these five decades, God’s abundant grace continues to sustain the people of Hien Linh. The once little church has grown to become more than a place of worship and liturgical celebration. It holds the memories, hopes, and faith of generations. May Hien Linh continue to be a sign of God’s merciful love so that ever more people may come to know the Lord, recognise His love, and draw near to Him.
