(Hanoi, Vietnam)- On Tuesday 22nd Opening Mass to begin the formation program for Redemptorist Lay Missionaries was held at the shine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help. Fr. Joseph Trinh Ngoc Hien presided the celebration with 11 confreres. As a great sign of communion, there were about 70 Lay missionaries coming from different Redemptorist communities in the northern region of Vietnam.
Fr. Joseph Tran Huu Hoan, the chaplain of Redemptorist Lay Missionaries Mien-Bac (Mien-Bac means the northern region), presented the formation program. On 15th March 2020, Fr. Provincial signed and released the statues and rules of the Redemptorist Lay Missionaries in Vietnam. Following the Provincially-mandated process of formation, Redemptorists of Hanoi Community invited lay people to register and join in the mission of the Congregation. After a period of promotion, there are many people who express the desire to live the spirituality of Redemptorists. Since 24th August until now, Hanoi Communities has organized many seminars to give an introduction to the Redemptorist Lay Missionaries.
This opening Mass marks the beginning of the formation program which will last from 2 to 3 years. The members of the Redemptorist will be trained in a well-structured program. They will study Scripture, Sacraments, Creed, Liturgy, Spirituality, and Mission. They will be also invited to join the mission of the congregation. The Redemptorist confreres will directly guide and accompany with Lay Missionaries.
After this initial formation, those who want to commit themselves with Redemptorist’s mission will make official commitments.
This is the first time such a formation program set up in Ha Noi. We pray and trust in God’s providence that it will bear a fruitful season.
Duc Trung Vu, C.Ss.R
