A Triple Celebration in Vietnam
June 3, 2017 was a beautiful, sunny day and the church of Bui Phat in Le Van Sy, Saigon was buzzling with excitement. The reason: the Religious of the Assumption, South East Asia Province celebrated a triple event: the 10th anniversary of the Canonization of St. Marie Eugenie, a celebration of the Bicentenary of the birth of St. Marie Eugenie and Mother Therese Emmanuel, and the proclamation of the final vows of Sr. Mary Elizabeth Dung of God.
Sr. Mary Elizabeth chose as her mystery, God – the God who made a covenant of love; and as her word engraved in her ring: JESUS, Jesus who is God’s human face, making possible her response to this covenant of love.
30 sisters from the Philippines & Thailand came to join our sisters in Vietnam for this grandiose day. Families and friends of our Vietnamese sisters came to grace the occasion, as well as our brothers and sisters of the Assumption family: The Oblates de l’Assomption, the Little Sisters of the Assumption, and the Augustinians of the Assumption. A good number of priests concelebrated with Fr. Khấn, the main celebrant.
Sr. Marie Thu directed the choir, which added to the solemnity and joy of the celebration. The atmosphere all throughout the day was that of joy, gratitude, life!
The Eucharistic celebration was followed by a festive reception à la Vietnam held in the parish hall. During the reception, dance numbers were rendered by the postulants, aspirants and student boarders. After the feast, the Assumption family stayed on to get to know one another, and one another’s mission in Vietnam. It was a good and fruitful exchange.
Alleluia! Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his faithful love lasts forever. Ps. 107:1
