The summer vocation promotion series at St. Joseph Jesuit Scholasticate (SJJS) in Saigon kicked off with “24 Hours as a Jesuit”. The programme, aligned with the theme of the Vocation Promotion Team, “To Know and To Love,” aims to give young men a clear, real-life picture of the Jesuit calling.
Encouraged by Fr Barnabas Vu Minh Tri SJ, SJJS Rector, the programme took place on 6 to 7 July and brought together 20 young men aged 15 to 21 from various parishes in the Archdiocese of Saigon and the Dioceses of Xuan Loc and Buon Ma Thuot. Many learnt about the event online, while others heard of it while attending the Magis Adventure summer camp hosted by the scholastics.
For 24 hours, the participants lived the daily rhythm of a Jesuit scholastic. They took part in the Liturgy of the Hours, the Examen, and Holy Mass. Most notably, after each session, they met in pairs with a Jesuit to ask questions and hear answers grounded in the real, relatable experiences of the scholastics.
The spiritual sharing was one of their favourite parts of the programme. They truly felt the warmth and closeness of the Jesuits, who acted like older brothers, listening and walking alongside them. That sense of brotherhood made them feel, for a time, like “a real Jesuit”. The young men openly talked about their feelings throughout the activities-from tiredness to excitement. In that prayerful space, they came to understand the Jesuit vocation better and realised the daily efforts needed to overcome its challenges.
Beyond the spiritual activities, they got their hands dirty with gardening, sweeping the yard, and serving meals. Through these simple tasks, they felt the closeness, gentleness, and spirit of service characteristic of Jesuit life. Moreover, they met priests and brothers working in different apostolic communities-like Epiphany Parish, SJJS School of Theology, the Curia, and the Pignatelli Infirmary. This showed them the wonderful variety of our missions, where everyone works hard to serve God in their own unique way.
The participants also had the chance to meet with Fr Francis Xavier Hoang Khac Luan SJ, Director of the Jesuit Candidacy House. He gave an inspiring talk on becoming a Jesuit candidate. Through this friendly conversation, the young men discovered the kind of preparation needed before entering the candidacy, including the enthusiasm, passion, commitment, and sincerity needed to help them offer their lives joyfully and simply.
The young men also asked candid, personal questions about following Christ in the Society of Jesus, such as: “How old do I have to be to join?” and “Can I become a Jesuit candidate if I studied early childhood education?” Every question was answered in a joyful, witty, and welcoming atmosphere.
At the end of the programme, Fr Tri gave the young men a blessing of peace. The joyful gathering holds the promise of a bountiful harvest for the Jesuits at the Scholasticate, who continue to sow the beautiful seeds of this consecrated vocation.
John Baptist Nguyễn Phi Long SJ
