On the morning of July 31, 2026, the feast of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus, fourteen novices of the Vietnamese Province pronounced their first vows at Hiển Linh Parish Church in Thu Duc, Ho Chi Minh City. Celebrating this event on the very feast day of Saint Ignatius carries special significance for the Society of Jesus in Vietnam. It was not only an occasion to give thanks to God for the gift of vocation, but also a reminder to every Jesuit of his identity as a companion of Jesus, one who continually seeks and carries out God’s will in all things, according to the Ignatian charism.
The Mass was presided over by Fr. Provincial Joseph Phạm Tuấn Nghĩa, S.J., concelebrated by some sixty priests from within and outside the Society, and attended by men and women religious, benefactors and benefactresses, family members, and a large gathering of the lay faithful.
In his homily, Father Nghĩa invited the community to reflect on the Gospel passage from Saint Luke (14:28–32), in which Jesus offers two images: a man who wishes to build a tower must first sit down and calculate the cost, lest he lay the foundation and then be unable to finish, becoming a laughingstock; and a king, before going to war, must consider whether his ten thousand troops can withstand an enemy advancing with twenty thousand. From these two parables, Jesus concludes that whoever wishes to be his disciple must renounce all he has. Father Nghĩa likened this prudence and careful deliberation to the grace of spiritual discernment, so essential for anyone seeking to follow Christ decisively and to let go of all things. He said, “Following Jesus Christ is not a decision made on impulse, but a choice that has been illumined and refined through fire. It is a choice made within an atmosphere of discernment marked by prayer, truth, and humility; and to discern rightly, we must first know where we stand before God.”
All fourteen novices pronounced their first and perpetual vows before the elevated Body and Blood of Christ at Mass. As religious, each of them pronounced the three evangelical counsels – poverty, chastity, and obedience – together with the promise to enter and remain in the Society for life (cf. Constitutions of the Society of Jesus, no. 540). The newly vowed now enter a new stage of Jesuit formation called the First Studies, where they will engage with the humanities and learn philosophy, all in preparation for mission.
After the Mass, the community shared in the joy of the newly vowed over a warm breakfast reception on the grounds of the scholasticate community. On this occasion, the Province also expressed its gratitude to the families, friends, and mission partners who have faithfully accompanied, prayed for, and generously supported the work of vocation promotion and formation. The Province asks all to continue praying that the newly vowed may remain faithful to their vows and generously commit themselves to the mission of serving God and neighbor.
Fr. Công Trình, S.J.
