Aiming to meet the invitation of the General Secretariat for the Evangelisation, and according to the resolution no.9 in the Guidelines to preserve the Redemptorist characteristics, churches, parishes, and chapels become the places to welcome and encounter Our Savior.
On the evening of 17/12/2022, a Christmas Concert was taken place in the Redemptorist Community of Mai Thon, Vietnam, with the topic: Today, a Savior has been born to you (Lc 2,11). In the context that the whole Church is living in the atmosphere of For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission, the Postulancy Formation Community of MaiT hon, Adorers of the Holy Cross of Ba Ria, La Salle Sisters, postulants of La Salle Sisters, Handmaids of Jesus the Priest, Jarai immigrants in Ho Chi Minh City, Saigon Catholic Opera, Saigon Redemptorist Aspirancy, Alfonso hostel’s students,… made a vivid, meaningful and warmly happy atmosphere of singing and dancing. At the same time, the Christmas Concert became a precious opportunity for everyone to encounter, listen to, and share the Chrismas blissful happiness.
After the first performance, fr. Joseph Van Vuong Nguyen, the Director of the Redemptorist Postulancy Community, gave an opening speech by recalling the spirit of the Synodal Church and the XXVI General Chapter: to become missionaries of hope in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. Simultaneously, he highlighted that meeting, greeting and together savouring vividly colourful performances are not purely of the appearance but deeply also an opportunity for everyone to get into the union, love and share the happiness of Evangelization.
In the community campus decorated full of Christmas colours and icons, the concert was held elaborately thanks to the generous contribution of different performances of congregations and groups. From dancing performances and warm, high-pitched singing voices to the Christmas Nativity Play, all highlighted a widespread bliss and the deepness of souls waiting to welcome the coming birth of Jesus Christ and the New Year 2023.
At the concert’s end, everyone participated in the last performance by singing together the song “I will follow Him” and giving hugs, beautiful looks, tight handshakes, bright smiles and the wish “Merry Christmas”.
Finally, on behalf of the host community, fr. Joseph Duy Hai Nguyen, the Auxiliary Father of the Postulancy Community, passed best regards to everybody and wished a peaceful and holy Christmas and a prosperous new year in the love of the Child Jesus.
Fr. Joseph Duy Hai Nguyen, CSsR
socius of the Postulancy Community
