The advantage, when you live in Vietnam, is that you are never late for your New Year’s mail, since according to the lunar calendar in use in Southeast Asia, we will celebrate the New Year January 25…
In July 2019, after a year spent on the other side of the world, in Belgium and Bolivia, I resumed my work as a formator in the novitiate in Vietnam. I had started with seven novices but after three weeks, one of my novices realized that he was not on his way and asked to leave us. The six remaining novices are motivated and have a maturity that is pleasing to see. I always try to maintain the balance of the novitiate between life of prayer, lessons on the history and spirituality of our congregation, relaxation, work in the garden and work with the poor. The many visits and activities outside, often unannounced, do not always favor a rhythm turned inwards, towards the spiritual. There is always a balance to be found between the inner life and the outer commitments,
Reception of groups, work in the garden, courses, activities are not lacking in the novitiate.
On a daily basis, the very regular rhythm of the novitiate (five times of prayer per day, classes, fixed activities of the week) as well as getting up early in the morning (4h15 or 5h15 depending on whether the mass is said at home or at the sisters’) require of the formator that I am to accept these constraints of the life of a formation community. But for each group of young people I have formed, there is the deep satisfaction of allowing them to prepare for a life that is certainly demanding but full of meaning, of giving their lives for God and for the people they will serve in the four corners of the world. This satisfaction has taken on a more savory taste this year since we have just celebrated the diaconal ordination of our first group of young people information who joined us twelve years ago. I had also been their philosophy trainer from 2010 to 2012. In about eight months they will be priests and they have already received their mission country. They will go to the four corners of the world, some in Africa, some in Europe, some in America and some in Asia. Their joy is naturally tinged with a little stress; they wonder if they will be up to it and if they will find their happiness in the missionary life. We trust them, they will adapt like us before them. Their diaconal ordination was also experienced as a very exciting moment for the 42 other young people information who hope to arrive at this memorable stage in their formation for missionary life. they wonder if they will be up to it and if they will find their happiness in the missionary life. We trust them, they will adapt like us before them. Their diaconal ordination was also experienced as a very exciting moment for the 42 other young people information who hope to arrive at this memorable stage in their formation for missionary life. they wonder if they will be up to it and if they will find their happiness in the missionary life. We trust them, they will adapt like us before them. Their diaconal ordination was also experienced as a very exciting moment for the 42 other young people information who hope to arrive at this memorable stage in their formation for missionary life.
The ordination of our first six deacons, a joy and a pride worthily celebrated.
Before my return to Vietnam, at the beginning of June 2019, given my mother’s very declining health, I said goodbye to her without knowing if I would see her again. In mid-November, I had to come back to her urgently. We thought mum was near the end but she regained her strength pretty quickly. She remains hospitalized in palliative care. I took the opportunity to spend three weeks in Belgium with my family. Missionary life includes the sacrifice of being away from family and parents as they get older. This is a concern of many people of my generation. My mom impresses us with her serenity and good humor. This greatly eases the difficulty of distancing.
Good humor, a sign of a fulfilling vocation…
As for the future of my mission, in principle I would like to end my commitment as formator in the summer of 2021 but find a replacement who has experience in missionary life, the required maturity and the availability to work. in training is not easy. The important thing for me is to remain flexible and to be ready to continue to serve in Vietnam while the Vietnamese group finds its stability. Things are progressing but you have to be patient. I wish you all a happy new year 2020, may the Lord fill you with his tenderness and grant you to be united in your families and communities. I pray for you. Friendship,
Father Fred (Cha Hòa)
