Tam Ha (Vietnam). From 3 to 5 August 2025, the Vietnamese Province of Mary Help of Christians (VTN) celebrated with joy the renewal of the vows of 55 Daughters of Mary Help of Christians; the First Profession of 13 novices; the Perpetual Profession of 12 Sisters; the 25th Profession of 8 FMA; the 50th anniversary of two FMA, a 60th; and the entry into the Novitiate of 10 postulants.
On the morning of 3 August 2025, in the Holy Mass presided over by Fr. Joseph Nguyen Kim Khanh, Salesian of Don Bosco, Vicar of Don Bosco Province (VTN), 55 FMA renewed their religious vows expressing fidelity to God and the Institute.
On 4 August, the Holy Mass of the First Profession of 13 Novices, celebrated in the Provincial House of Tam Ha, was presided over by the Provincial of the Salesians of Don Bosco, Don Barnaba Le An Phong, with the participation of Sisters, parents, benefactors, and the entire community.
Taking inspiration from the reading of Isaiah – “I called you by name” – Fr. Barnabas invited the young women to reflect on the sacred moment in which God entered their lives. “God called me even before the universe was formed. Religious profession is a commitment to stay with God, to love Him, to live with Him, and to be united with Him.” He then encouraged them to renew their dedication with love, “Do everything with love. Cling to God and be confident in His love for you.”
The new Professed were welcomed into the Institute by the Provincial, Sister Maria Hoang Thị Thu Ha, on behalf of the Superior General, Mother Chiara Cazzuola.
With the motto taken from the words of the prophet Jeremiah – “I have loved you with eternal love” – the newly professed desire to respond to the faithful love of God with the gift of their entire lives. This Love becomes the driving force that allows them to walk faithfully every day in the mission of evangelization and education in today’s world.
Perpetual Profession and Jubilee celebrations
On 5 August, at the Provincial House, the VTN Province solemnly celebrated the Perpetual Profession of twelve FMA, the 25th Profession of eight Sisters, two 50th and one 60th. The Holy Mass was presided over by Monsignor Dominic Nguyen Van Manh, Bishop of the Diocese of Da Lat.
The twelve new-perpetuals chose the motto, “Your will is my inheritance forever,” from Psalm 119,111.
In the homily, Bishop Dominic shared a reflection from chapter 15 of John, addressing each professed Sister personally, “I no longer call you servants, but friends. It is not you who have chosen Me, but I who have chosen you and appointed you to go and bear fruit.” He emphasized that hope is woven into a life lived in obedience, poverty, and chastity.
The FMA who celebrated the Silver, Gold, and Diamond Jubilees of Religious Profession renewed their vows with devotion. It is a moment in which everyone rekindles the beauty and vitality of their sacred commitment. After the Eucharistic Liturgy, they received as a gift a lit candle, which symbolizes God, the guiding Light that faithfully led each one throughout their life.
Entrance into the Novitiate
In the spirit of gratitude to God for the gift of the vocation to consecrated life, on 5 August 2025, the Province joyfully celebrated Vespers and the Rite of initiation into religious life with the entry of ten young women into the Novitiate.
Sister Maria Hoang Thi Thu Ha, the Provincial, opened the Rite and subsequently Sister Marta Hoang Thi Thuy, Animator of Saint Joseph Community, presented the candidates.
Before concluding Vespers, Sister Maria offered a reflection to the new Novices and the reunited community. She spoke of the mystery of vocation, how God chooses, calls, sends, and remains with each one. She encouraged the Novices, “In the midst of the frenzy of study and formation, take your time and create an inner space to welcome the Lord who wishes to remain with us. Listen to Him and respond with a heart full of gratitude and joy. This is a crucial stage to deepen your religious vocation, to cultivate inner silence, to grow in intimate union with God, and to seriously discern and confirm your calling, before setting out on your way to profession.”
Sister Maria then introduced Sister Maria Nguyen Thi Trinh as the Novice Formator, highlighting her role as a spiritual guide and intermediary in the formation journey of the Novices.
